Of
herbaceous plants and shrubs were everywhere springing up and
bursting into flower. I found plenty of new insects, and if I had
had a good, roomy, water-and-wind-proof house, I should perhaps
have stayed during the wet season, as I feel sure many things can
then be obtained which are to be found at no other time. With my
summer hut, however, this was impossible. During the heavy rains
a fine drizzly mist penetrated into every part of it, and I began
to have the greatest difficulty in keeping my specimens dry.
Early in November I returned to Macassar, and having packed up my
collections, started in the Dutch mail steamer for Amboyna and
Ternate. Leaving this part of my journey for the present, I will
in the next chapter conclude my account of Celebes, by describing
the extreme northern part of the island which I visited two years
later.
CHAPTER XVII.
CELEBES.
(MENADO. JUNE TO SEPTEMBER, 1859.)
IT was after my residence at Timor-Coupang that I visited the
northeastern extremity of Celebes, touching Banda, Amboyna, and
Ternate on my way. I reached Menado on the 10th of June, 1859,
and was very kindly received by Mr. Tower, an Englishman, but a
very old resident in Menado, where he carries on a general
business.
