DEPUCH ISLAND. 



169 



of some isolated rocky hills, of a formation similar 

 to that of Depuch, from 200 to 500 feet in height, 

 and about six miles from the shore. We could also see 

 at a distance of twenty-eight miles a very remarkable 

 pyramidal hill, surmounted by a tower-like piece of 

 rock, bearing from our position S. 30" W. From 

 the white appearance of many large patches of the 

 level country, we inferred that they were covered 

 with a salt efflorescence; and it is probable that a very 

 great portion of it is occasionally flooded, being 

 cut up by a number of creeks, which must overflow 

 at spring tides, especially when they occur simul- 

 taneously with the north-west winds that prevail 

 on this coast during the monsoon. 



This group of islands is so connected with the 

 main by extensive sand-banks, that at low water it 

 is possible to walk across to them ; and of this 

 facility the natives no doubt avail themselves to pro- 

 cure turtle. It appears indeed to be only on such 

 occasions that they can visit Forestier Group, as we 

 saw no traces of rafts on this portion of the coast. 

 Depuch Island would seem to be their favourite 

 resort ; and we found several of their huts still 

 standing. They were constructed of boughs and 

 twigs fixed in the ground, and joined overhead in a 

 circular shape. Over this w^as thrown a loose 

 matting of twisted grass. The natives are doubtless 

 attracted to the place partly by the reservoirs of 

 water they find among the rocks after rain, partly 

 that they may enjoy the pleasure of delineating the 



