or MAGINDANAO, a large island of Asia in the East Indies, and one of the Philippines; Vizaghi, 160 miles in length, and 120 in breadth. The interior parts contain several chains of lofty mountains, between which are extensive plains, where vast herds of cattle roam at large in the most delicious pastures. Several deep valleys also intersect, as it were, certain parts of the country, through which, during the rainy season, vast torrents pour from the mountains, and force their impetuous way to the sea. The rains and vapours which lodge in the plains diffuse themselves into meandering rivulets, and, collecting a variety of small streams in their course, approach the sea in the form of considerable rivers.—The sovereign of Magindanao is a powerful prince, and has several inferior chiefs, who acknowledg... acknowledge him as their head. Nevertheless, there are others of them who refuse submission to him, and are consequently in a continual state of war; so that peace, at least, does not appear to be one of the blessings of this island. The Spaniards, indeed, assert their right to the entire dominion of Magindanao; but it is mere assertion; for though they have forts, &c., on the island, it is by no means in a state of subjection to their nation.

The air is esteemed salubrious, particularly in the vicinity of the sea. The heat there is not, in any degree, so intense as might be expected in a country which is situated on the very verge of the torrid zone. The prevalence of the easterly winds, in that part of the coasts which is washed by the Pacific Ocean, renders the air cool and pleasant, the trade-wind blowing incessantly on its shores. It acts, indeed, with so much power as to sweep the whole breadth of the island; and though in its passage it loses much of its strength, it retains a sufficient degree of force to afford refreshing breezes to the inhabitants of the western shore. The interior parts are much colder, from a very cloudy atmosphere, which frequently hangs over the summits of the mountains in thick and humid vapours. The soil, which is very exuberant, is suited to the cultivation of the whole vegetable tribes. Rice is produced in the greatest abundance; a peck, or 133 pounds, may be purchased for a Spanish dollar. Every part of the island abounds with buffaloes, cows, hogs, goats, &c. It affords also great variety of fowls, and a species of duck, whose head is of a fine scarlet colour. Here are also a small breed of horses, remarkable for their spirit. The natives, however, principally employ buffaloes in the various branches of husbandry and agriculture.

The city of Magindanao is situated on the southeast side of the island, has a river capable of admitting small vessels, and carries on a considerable trade with Manila, Sooloo, Borneo, and the Moluccas. Their exports are rice, tobacco, beeswax, and spices; in return for which they receive coarse cloths of Coromandel, China ware, and opium. The village or town of Samboangan is situated on the banks of a small rivulet, which empties itself immediately into the sea, and is agreeably shaded by groves of cocoa-trees. The number of its inhabitants are about 1000, among which are included the officers, soldiers, and their respective families. In its environs there are several small look-out houses, erected on posts of twelve feet high, in all of which a constant guard is kept; so that it appears as if the Spaniards were in a continual state of enmity with the natives. The houses are built of those simple materials which are of very general use in the eastern seas. They are erected on posts, and built of bamboo, covered with mats; the lower apartments serve for their hogs, cattle, and poultry, and the upper ones are occupied by the family."

MINDENHEIM, a town of Germany, in the circle of Suabia, and in Algow, with a castle. It is capital of a small territory between the rivers Iller and Lech, subject to the house of Bavaria. It was taken by the Imperialists after the battle of Hochstett, who erected it into a principality in favour of the duke of Marlborough; but it returned back to the house of Bavaria by the treaty of Ratisbon. It is 33 miles south-east of Ulm. E. Long. 10. 40. N. Lat. 48. 5.

MINDENHEIM, a district of Germany, in Suabia, lying between the bishopric of Augsburg and the abbey of Kempten, which is 20 miles in length and 16 in breadth.