110 SABLE ISLAND—(CONTINUED).—MACDONALD. 
ArT. V.—SABLE ISLAND, (CONTINUED.) By S. D. MAcDoNALD, 
B, 3G... 
Read Feb. 10, 1884. 
In my former Paper on Sable Island I introduced to your notice 
its general features, intending at some future time taking up and 
working out in detail, some of its most remarkable points of 
interest. To-night I would call your attention to some of the 
many changes it has undergone, which have materially altered 
its position. 
On the early charts of this coast compiled and corrected from 
those of the French, and published in 1775, this island is shown 
as occupying a position between 60° 05’ and 60° 45’ W. iong., 40 
miles in length and 2} miles in breadth. 
In 1799 a special survey of this island was ordered by the 
admiralty, and the chart we have before us this evening was 
issued together with numerous views of its appearance from 
different points of approach, also a scene of what is evidently an 
encampment of shipwrecked persons among the east end, naked 
sand hills. Many of the party are dressed in antique costumes, 
cocked hats, &e. 
Those naked sand hills have always been an object of peculiar 
interest here, owing to their assuming such fantastic shapes, and 
by their colour, being more readily seen in the distance. Viewed 
in this engraving they appear to have attained quite an elevation. 
Ona plan published by Mr. Darby, one of the superintendents, 
is a cone shaped drift at the western extremity, marked the 
“voleano,” said to be upwards of 100 feet in height, similar to 
one of those represented in this engraving. But the voleano has 
been dispersed. The position it occupied passed seaward many 
years ago, and now lies fathoms deep. 
This survey appears to have been a very elaborate one and 
well prepared, upwards of 500 soundings are represented in the 
immediate vicinity of the island, and on the bank. This has 
resulted in locating the island as follows : 
West end 60° 32’, east end 60° O1’.. Length 31 miles, breadth 2 
miles. Showing a decided decrease in area since previous obser- 
vation, and placing the west end 22 miles further east. 
