We now arrive at the peninsula of Sibuguey which I have likened to the tail of the skate. Around Lake Lanao there is an irregular loop of hills, and from the western end of this starts a cordillera which stretches right down the centre of the peninsula of Sibuguey and Zamboanga. A line drawn from Punta Sicayati (in the Dapitan excrescence) to the eastern shore of the Gulf of Dumanquilas will intersect a range of mountains which cross the Cordillera of Sibuguey nearly at right angles and with equal arms north and south. But the end of the northern arm bifurcates and throws out two ranges N.E. and N.W. In the watershed thus formed three rivers take their rise, and have a general course from south to north but bearing a little to the westward. The easternmost of these is called the Dapitan, and runs into the bay of the same name. The next is the Dipolog, which runs into the sea west of Punta Sicayab; and the last is the Lubungan, running in about two leagues more to the west. The other rivers in the peninsula are so unimportant that I do not enumerate them. Like those on the east coast they become raging torrents in the rainy season. On the northern and southern coasts, which are more protected than the eastern, sheltered anchorages are to be found here and there, but no such fine natural harbours exist as abound in Southern Luzon. There is, however, less need for them, as it is very rare that the typhoons, which are so destructive in Luzon and the Visayas, cause damage in Mindanao, except at its northern and eastern corner. But for service on these coasts, vessels of a light draught of water are the most useful, as they can more easily find sheltered anchorage. Mindanao is not nearly so unhealthy as is commonly supposed. Zamboanga and neighbourhood, Davao, Surigao, Talisay, and several other places, are really quite healthy for Europeans, if they take care of themselves. Earthquakes are frequent. They would sometimes be destructive, but there is so little in the way of buildings to destroy. Divisions for Administrative Purposes. Zamboanga is the chief military station and the residence of the commandant-general of the island. Mindanao is divided into five districts:-- 1st. District chief town Zamboanga (capital of the island). 2nd. District chief town Misamis (includes Lake Lanao). 3rd. District chief town Surigao (includes the whole kingdom of Caraga, also the valley of the Agusan). 4th. District chief town Davao (shores of the bay and peninsula of San Agustin). 5th. District chief town Cotta-bato (valley of the Rio Grande and ancient Sultanate of Buhayen). The island of Basilan forms a sixth district under the commandant-general of Mindanao. Each of these districts was under a politico-military governor and other officials, as follows:--