86 Voyage of the No vara. 



narrowed, so that there may ahiiost be said to be two har- 

 bours. In either of them a vessel is quite safe, being in fact 

 so thoroughly sheltered from all winds that the heat is oc- 

 casionally overpowering. 



On the west side of Kamorta, six or seven miles north of 

 the western entrance of the harbour, will be found a large 

 sheet of water, called Ulkla Bay, in the first half of which 

 there is excellent anchorage ; but the vapours emanating from 

 the abundant mangrove swamps render residence here ex- 

 tremely unhealthy. As Ulala Cove runs for the most part 

 parallel with Nangkauri Harbour, and is separated from the 

 latter only by a range of low eminences, the near proximity 

 of these mangrove swamps likewise imparts their baleful in- 

 fluence to the air of Nangkauri Harbour. There is absolutely 

 no water here fit for drinking. 



Katchal has large bays on both its west and its east sides, 

 but they are almost entirely silted up with coral sand. The 

 channel between Katchal and Kamorta is clear. Here we 

 made short tacks in passing through, approaching the shores 

 on either side within half a mile. 



Little Nicobar has a good harbour on the north side, formed 

 by the island of Pulo Milu and the N. coast of Little Nicobar, 

 which is bent almost at a right angle. This anchorage is 

 accessible in all winds, and is well sheltered, but a consider- 

 able portion adjoining the shore of Little Nicobar is rendered 

 useless by banks of coral. 



Notwithstanding the most careful examination of this part 



