34 DEEP-SEA SOUNDING. 



Vey. Before reaching the anchorage, which was very 

 close to the shore, three casts were taken in the bay, in 

 depths of 337, 520, and 338 fathoms ; dark brown mud. 



On the 9th we left San Augustine for Tullear Bay, 

 fifteen miles distant, where we remained several days, 

 taking advantage of the sea-breeze and smooth water in 

 this well-protected and superb bay to exercise the crew 

 in fleet tactics with boats, and at target-practice with 

 great guns. 



This coast is the only one I have visited in late years 

 where money is of little or no use and where empty 

 bottles, provided they can stand on their own bottoms, 

 will purchase poultry and other supplies. Soda bottles 

 were of no value whatever. 



The people are savages, armed with spears and such 

 old guns as traders have been accustomed to exchange 

 for the products of the country. It was in this neigh- 

 borhood that an American and a Frenchman were killed 

 the year previous to our arrival. 



We left Tullear Bay on the 15th, and during the 

 afternoon sounded in 569 fathoms, lat. 23° 20' 15" S., 

 long. 43° 35' E,; brown mud. 



On the i6th sounded in 587 fathoms, lat. 22° C]' 

 S., long. 42° 59' 30'' E. — yellowish-brown mud, sand ; 

 and on the 17th again sounded in 872 fathoms, lat. 20° 

 22' 30" S., long. 43° 45' 30'' E. — yellowish-brown mud 

 — and swung ship for compass deviations, arriving off 

 Mourondava after dark. 



We had now reached a part of Madagascar which 



