J48 WESTERN HINDOOSTAN. 



pofite to Tellicherry. They extend from Lat. lo" to i2* 5c! 

 north, are low, and not to be feen farther than fix or feven 

 leagues, Thefe are fuppofed to be the ifles intended by P/o/^- 

 my^ by the title of Infula Nujnero xix. but, in fadt, they are 

 thirty-two, all of them fmall, and covered with trees, and rocky 

 on their fides, moftly as if laid on a bottom of fand, attended with 

 reefs, and the channels bet ween. them are very deep. They are 

 commonly navigated by our fliips, in their way to t\iQ Perjian 

 Gulph, or the Red Sea. That called the ix| degree channel, 

 or the paffage between the moll fouthern of the Laccadives, the 

 ifle of Maliqu.e, and that called Mamala, or the viii. degree 

 channel, between the ifle of Malique, and the moft northern 

 of the Mald't'ce ifles, are thofe which are in ufe. Each illand 

 has its name : Captain Cornwal fays,, that called Calpenia has a 

 river, where fliips. of two hundred tons may float and clean. 



The principal traffic of thefe ifles, is in the products of the 

 coco trees, fuch as the oilj the cables, and cordage; and in fifli, 

 which is dried and fent to the continent of India., from whence 

 they get rice, &c. in return. They alfo trade to Mafcat, in large 

 boats, and carry there the fame commodities, and bring back 

 Ambergrise. dry and wet dates, and a little coffee. Ambergrife is found 

 often, floating off thefe ifles. Hamilton mentions a piece in 

 poffeffion of a certain Rajah, valued at £. 1,250 flerling. It is 

 now generally fuppofed to be a mineral ; Cronjled, at left, ranks 

 it among them : the beft is of a grey color,. is a ftrong perfume, 

 and is alfo much nfed in medicine. It is highly efteemed as a 

 cordial, and in nervous complaints ; and, in extremities, is ad- 

 miniftered often as a perfuaflve to the foul not to quit its earthly 

 tenement. 



A, Captain 



