SOOLOO ARCHIPELAGO is situated in the Indian Ocean, between the Philippines and the island of Borneo. It consists of two chaineof islands, which lie nearly parallel, and, together with Borneo and the Philippines, inclose a portion of the ocean which is usually called the Sooloo Sea, sometimes the Mindoro Sea, from the isle of Mindoro. which lie. north of it The southern chain of bland', which Is pro• petty called the Sooloo Islands, begins on the west, opposite to the peninsula of Unsung in Borneo, near 5° N. lat., 119' 30' E. long., and extends east-north-east to 6' 50' N. lat.., 122' 30' E. long., where it is separated from the south-western part of the island of Mindanao by the strait of Basilan. The northern chain, which is called the Palawan Islands, begins on the south near r N. lat., 116'30' a long., opposite Sampenmanjo Point in Borneo; and its southern portion, which I. on both sides of the strait of Balabee, lies nearly south and north, but the remainder lies south-west and north-east. It terminates with the island of Busvagon on the south side of the Mindoro Strait, near 12' 20' N. lat., 120' 30' E. long. Large vessels enter and leave the Sooloo Sea by the straits of Basilan, Balabac, and Mindoro. The group of islands between the island of Palawan and the Apo bank in Mindoro Strait, is called Ca/tansies/ex Between Palawar and Panay, one of the Philippines, is the group of the Cuyoa Islands. South of these is the Cagayenes group, and in the south part of the Sooloo Sea, near the northern coast of Borneo, lies the little group of the Cagayan Sooloo.
Though there are volcanoes in the islands of the Sooloo Archipelago, it does not appear that any of the numerous islands that compose these groups are of volcanic origin. The larger islands of the chain are of moderate height, but the mountains on the island of Palawan attain a considerable elevation. Seine of them are covered to the very summits with lofty trees, and others with rich pasturage, here and there Intersected by cultivated grounds, whilst others again exhilsit cultivation to the highest point, diversified only by groves of fruit-trees. Along the foot of the hills there are level grounds two or
three relies wide, which are partly swampy, but mostly cultivated or planted with fruit-trees.
The wet season lasts from May to September, during the prevalence of the south-western monsoon, and the dry season lasts from October to ApriL But showers frequently occur during the dry season, and the rains of the other season are much more interrupted and irregular than in Hindustan. The heat is considerable, but not oppressive, being mostly tempered by the land and sea breezes. In summer it varies between 76' and 87'. The thermometer however falls to 75' only early in the mornings. The interior mountainous districts have a much lower temperature.
The soil of the country is generally rich, and the crops are abundant. The produce of rice, of which eight specie. are cultivated, is not sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants, who are compara tively very numerous. Rice is Imported from the Philippine Ialanda, and from the eastern coast of Borneo, which is (or was) subject to the Sultan of Sooloo. Two kinds of yams, sweet potatoes, and the Chinese potato, some wheat, pumpkins, cucumbers, radishes, &c. are grown. Fruit is extremely plentiful and of a delicious flavour; the chief kinds are mangoes, oranges, mangustan, durien, jack, champaka, plantains, and a great number of other fruits unknown in Europe. Sagestreee are numerous Pepper, formerly cultivated with success, is grown only for home consumption. The cinnamon is particularly Sue. The cacao-tree grows all over the bland of Sooloo, nod yields the common beverage of all classes. Indigo, cotton, and tobacco are also grown. The plant from which the Manila white rope is made and the gamuty are plentiful, and also a species of hemp and flax, of which the inhabitants manufacture their fishing-lines. Turmeric and ginger grow to perfection.