of this island
was definitely established, and a civico-military government, under
the denomination of Mindanao and adjacent islands, was created. It is
divided into eight districts. The island is situated between Visayas
on the north and Borneo on the south; it is bounded on the east by
the Pacific Ocean, and on the west by the island of Paragua, the
Strait of Balabac, and Borneo. The area is 16,595 square miles, and
the population 611,300, of which 211,000 are Christians and the rest
Mohammedans and Pagans. It is very extensive and irregular in form,
possessing high and extended mountain chains, which have not been
entirely explored, and which are grown over with very rich woods. It
is inhabited almost throughout the interior by savages. Its rivers,
some of great volume, are as follows: On the north coast and Butuan
Bay, the Jabonga and Butuan: on the Macajalar coast, the Cagayan;
in Eligan Bay, the Malanao and others of minor importance; in the
cove of Dapitan, the Palaven.

In Port Kakule the greatest rise of tide is seven feet. In
Surigao Strait the flood tide sets to the west, and the ebb to the
east. The velocity of the stream in the strait reaches six knots at
springs. There is a difference of about two hours between the time
of high water at Surigao and in Surigao Strait. Fishermen roughly
estimate that when the moon rises the ebb tide commences to run in
Surigao Strait. From January to June there is but one high water
during the twenty-four hours, in Surigao Strait, which occurs during
the night. From July to December the same phenomenon takes place,
but the time of high water is by day.

From observations made by the Spanish surveyors, it appears that the
highest tide on the west coasts of the islands of the strait takes
place at the same hour as the lowest tide on the east coasts.

The Mindanao river disembogues five miles to the south of Palak
Harbor by two wide arms, on the northernmost of which is the town of
Kota-batu, about 5 1/2 miles from the mouth. The river is navigable
for 60 miles by vessels of 3 1/2 feet draught; it flows through a
beautiful valley 30 miles in width, which scarcely shows any change
of level; the valley is capable of producing tobacco, cacao, sugar,
maize, and cotton; but this is only known at present by specimens
produced. The course of the river lies SE. for 45 miles from its
mouth to the lake Ligauasan, out of which it is seen to flow; from
the other side of the lake the di