The principal of the group are three in number: Banda-Neura--on which the town is built--and Gunong Api, a volcanic island close to, and in a line with it; they have a narrow but deep channel between them. Opposite, and to the southward of these two, in a semicircular form, is the larger island of Banda, having a rather narrow passage at either end. The space thus enclosed forms the very charming harbour of Banda. We were becalmed in the western entrance, and while the current swept us up mid-channel to the anchorage, we furled sails and hoisted our boom-boats out; and when we came to, close off the capital, we were in proper harbour costume. The view of the islands from the ship would form a beautiful panorama. The picturesque town, which is built on a flat, ought, from the appearance of Fort Belgica, above and in the rear of it, to be well protected. Gunong Api, a striking feature in the scene, is high and conical in shape. Smoke issued from the top, but an eruption had not taken place in the memory of residents. From the crater downwards, one-third of the distance, it appeared a mass of cinders; from that point vegetation commences, increasing towards its base, where stand many cottages and fishing huts. The opposite and more mountainous island surpasses the other two in beauty of appearance. Little rivulets of cool, delicious water run from the high land to the harbour, from which we watered the ship. The jungle abounds in a variety of beautiful birds, especially of the pigeon sort. Deer are to be obtained with a little trouble. Some of the merchants and most of the proprietors of the hunting plantation have houses on this side. We were most hospitably received by the Dutch authorities; nothing that the island produced, which could be considered a novelty to us, that we were not presented with. It would be difficult to describe the endless variety as well as beauty of the parrots and lowries that were sent on board; also the magnificent crown pigeon of Papua, nearly as large as a turkey. We had as many as eighteen at one time, three pairs of which were twenty months on board, and some of them are now in the gardens of the Zoological Society. One very pretty compliment was paid to us, which I must not omit to record. A ball was given by the Governor in honour of our visit; and in the course of the evening, shortly before midnight, the dance suddenly stopped, glasses were put into our hands, champagne flowed into them, and the health of Queen Victoria was proposed by His Excellency in an appropriate speech. We swallowed our wine as the clock struck twelve, the band playing our National Anthem, while a royal salute was firing over our heads from the fort, during which we were expected to be continually refilling glasses. The following evening we were invited to a dance given on the opposite shore.