THE TIMOR GROUP 
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The islands are no longer bare, but covered with thick 
forest, and there is little cultivation. The Dutch have a 
small coal-depot here, at Tepa, on the west coast of the 
main island. 
8. The Timor Laut Group. 
The Timor Laut or Tenimber Islands are a large and 
rather closely packed group situated about midway 
between Timor and Aru. They extend north and south 
over nearly 2° of latitude, and consist of three main 
islands—Larat, Yamdena, and Selaru, with thirty or 
more of lesser area and importance. Such knowledge as 
we have of the soundings in the neighbourhood seem to 
point to the existence of deep water around the group, 
though not to the great depths which appear to isolate 
Timor. Until 1882 almost nothing was known concern¬ 
ing this little archipelago. The Bugis and Goram traders 
visited a few villages occasionally, and obtained trepang, 
tortoiseshell, and other products, but previous to Mr. 
H. 0. Forbes’s visit no European had ever remained 
upon the group, and very few had even landed. In 
1882 this enterprising naturalist, accompanied by his 
wife, was landed at Ritabel in Larat, and remained there 
for a period of three months. It is to his observations 
that we are indebted for what little knowledge we possess 
of the islands. 
The chief island, Yamdena, is about 7 5 miles in 
length by 15 in breadth. Selaru is 30 miles long, and 
Larat not quite so large. The islands are all low, and 
apparently all composed of recently upheaved coralline 
limestone, with the single exception of Laibobar Island, 
which attains a height of about 2000 feet, and is most 
probably a volcano. There are absolutely no inhabitants 
