SAMAR, a Spanish island not far from Manila in the East Indies, is called Samar on the side which looks towards the other isles, and Ibabao on that next the ocean. Its greatest length, from Cape Baliquaton, which, with the point of Manila, makes the strait of St. Bernardino, in 13 deg. 30 min. north latitude, extends to that of Guignan in 11 deg. towards the south. The other two points, making the greatest breadth of the island, are Cabo de Spiritu Santo, or Cape of the Holy Ghost, the high mountains of which are the first discovered by ships from New Spain; and that which lying opposite to Leyte westward, makes another strait, scarce a stone's throw over. The whole compass of the island is about 130 leagues. Between Guignan and Cape Spiritu Santo is the port of Borogon, and not far from thence those of Palapa and Catubig, and the little island of Bin, and the coast of Catarman. Vessels from countries not yet discovered are very frequently cast away on the before-mentioned coast of Palapa. Within the straits of St. Bernardino, and beyond Baliquaton, is the coast of Samar, on which are the villages of Ibatan, Bangahon, Cathalogan, Paranos, and Calviga. Then follows the strait of St. Juanillo, without which, standing eastward, appears the point and little island of Guignan, where the compass of the island ends. It is mountainous and craggy, but the few plains which it contains are very fertile. The fruits are much the same as those of LEYTE; but there is one particular sort, called by the Spaniards chiray, and by the Chinese, who put a great value on it, syxsa, without kernels.