The village or town of Batchian is situated at the head of a wide and deep bay, where a low isthmus connects the northern and southern mountainous parts of the island.

To the south is a fine range of mountains, and I had noticed at several of our landing-places that the geological formation of the island was very different from those around it.

Whenever rock was visible it was either sandstone in thin layers, dipping south, or a pebbly conglomerate.

Sometimes there was a little coralline limestone, but no volcanic rocks.

The forest had a dense luxuriance and loftiness seldom found on the dry and porous lavas and raised coral reefs of Ternate and Gilolo; and hoping for a corresponding richness in the birds and insects, it was with much satisfaction and with considerable expectation that I began my explorations in the hitherto unknown island of Batchian..