staff tree, which grows in the isle of France, is said to possess the same virtues.an island in the Indian sea, situated under the equator, and called by some Macassar. The length and breadth have not been accurately computed; but the circumference, at a medium, is about 800 miles. It had formerly five kingdoms, which are reduced to one. The air is hot and moist; and subject to great rains during the north-west winds, which blow from November to March, at which time the country is overflowed, and for this reason they build their housetops on piles of wood ten feet high. The most healthful time is during the northern monsoons, which seldom fail blowing regularly in one part of the year.

The chief vegetables are rice and cocoes; but they have ebony, sanders, &c. Their fruits and flowers are much the same as in the neighbouring parts of the Indies. They have pepper, sugar, betel, areca, the finest cotton, and opium. The natives have bright olive complexions, and the women have shining black hair. They are thought to be very handsome by the Dutch and Chinese, who often purchase them for bedfellows. The men are industrious, robust, and make excellent soldiers. Their arms are sabres, and trunks, from whence they blow poisoned darts, which are pointed with the tooth of a sea fish. Some likewise use poisoned daggers. They were the last of the Indian nations that were enslaved by the Dutch, which could not be effected till after a long war. They teach their children to read and write, and their characters have some resemblance of the Arabic. Their religion being Mahometan, the men indulge themselves in many wives and concubines. The employment of the women is spinning, cookery, and making their own and their husbands clothes. The men wear jewels in their ears, and the women gold chains about their necks. The inhabitants in general go half naked, without anything on their head, legs, or feet, and some have nothing but a cloth about their middle. The streets of the town Macasar are spacious, and planted with trees on every side. It stands by the side of the only large river they have in the island. The Dutch have a fort here, mounted with 40 guns, and garrisoned with 700 men. There is only one other town of note, called Jampanam, where they also have a fort. The island is not near so populous, as when the Dutch conquered it; the men being hired for soldiers in most of the neighbouring countries.

The religion of these islands was formerly idolatry. They worshipped the sun and moon. They sacrificed to them in the public squares, having no materials which they thought valuable enough to be employed in raising temples. About two centuries ago, some Christians and Mahometans having brought their opinions to Celebes, the principal king of the country took a dislike to the national worship. Having convened a general assembly, he ascended an eminence, when, spreading out his hands towards heaven, he told the Deity, that he would acknowledge for truth that doctrine whose ministers should first arrive in his dominions, and, as the winds and waves were at his command, the Almighty would have himself to blame if he embraced a falsehood. The assembly broke up, determined to wait the orders of heaven, and to obey the first missionaries that should arrive. The Mahometans were the most active, and their religion accordingly prevailed.