a group in the East Indian Archipelago, lying between Borneo on the S.W., and the Philippines on the N.E.; and separating the Sea of Soooloo on the N.W. from that of Celebes on the S.E. It consists of nearly 150 islands, but most of them are of very small size. There are three principal groups clustering round the three largest of the islands, which are Basilan in the N.E., Soooloo in the centre, and Tawee-Tawee in the S.W. The first of these lies south of Sambaoangan in Mindanao, from which it is separated by a narrow strait. It is 42 miles long by 6 broad; and while the coasts are low, it rises to a considerable elevation in the centre. The soil is fertile; and the island exports rice, birds' nests, pearls, mother-of-pearl, and tortoise-shell. Its population is 20,000. The only other important island in this group is Pilas, lying to the west of Basilan. The dimensions of Soooloo are 40 miles by 10, and its area is 212 square miles. It has two hilly regions, with a tract of low country between; and the soil is for the most part fertile and well wooded. Teak and sandal wood, cocoa and other nuts, bananas, yams, &c., are produced in this island; and many of the inhabitants are employed in pearl-fishing, and obtaining the edible birds' nests. The population of this island is variously estimated from 60,000 to 200,000. In it is a small town, called Soooloo or Soog, where the sultan of the whole group resides. The island of Tawee-Tawee is about 40 miles long by 12 broad; and like the others it has some considerable hills. Its productions are similar to those of the other islands of the group. The sultan of Soooloo and his subordinate chiefs were formerly notorious for their piracy, and kept up a large fleet for that purpose; but their power has been entirely broken by the Spaniards in 1851. The seas, however, are still much infested with pirates, which prevents the full development of the commerce of these islands.