THE MOLUCCAS 
319 
producing large quantities of rice. Here and at Patani, 
at the extremity of the south-east peninsula, are “ Post¬ 
holders/' and at Sidangoli in Dodinga Bay half a dozen 
native soldiers are stationed, but these are the only places 
in the whole extent of the island where representatives 
of the Dutch Government are to be found. Morti Island 
is practically uninhabited. 
1 
6. Ternate. 
As far as regards magnificence of scenery, Ternate is 
perhaps the finest harbour in the Dutch Indies, for it is 
formed by two volcanic islands whose peaks are nearly 
6000 feet in height, and of wonderfully graceful outline. 
That of the island of Tidor, which shelters the anchorage 
to the south, rises majestically from a mass of wild and 
gloomy-looking hills, but Ternate consists of the volcano 
alone, which leaves little room for the town to nestle at 
its foot. Eastward, across a wide strait, are the rugged 
blue mountains of Halmahera, terminating towards the 
north by a group of three lofty volcanic peaks. 
The island of Ternate is nearly circular, is about 5 
or 6 miles in diameter, and has an area of about 2 5 
square miles. It is remarkably healthy, and although 
rain falls on an average during 216 days in the year, the 
weather is very bright and sunny except during December 
and January. Owing to the position of the land, the 
monsoons become deflected, and blow from the north and 
south chiefly—from the former point during the first 
three months of the year, and from the latter from May 
to October. April, November, and December are the 
months of variable winds. 
The volcano is about 5600 feet in height, and con¬ 
stantly emits smoke. Between 1608 and 1840 there 
