DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPEDITION, 45 
and Australia, its northern half during this period, in 1885, being surveyed for the third 
time by Commander the Hon. F. C, P. Vereker, in H.M.S. ‘Rambler.’ We can give no 
better description perhaps than that of James Horsburgh in 1809 * :— Capt. Blair 
states that this Island is one of the most wonderful phenomena of the globe. Its length 
from north to south is about 14 or 15 miles, and the general breadth 3 to 4 miles, having 
the form of a crescent, with the convex side to the eastward. But it may be considered 
as a steep coral wall standing in the ocean, for the whole interior of the island is a 
lagoon or natural harbour, which is nearly of the same length and breadth as the island 
itself, as there is no part of the circumjacent wall above 3 a mile broad, and the 
Fig. 18. 
Vegetation on the sandy land of Diego Garcia. 
greater part of the eastern side is only about 3/5 of a mile in breadth. This Island 
or contour of an Island is low, generally 8 or 10 feet elevated above the sea at high. 
tides, but inundations of the sea appear to have pervaded the wall in some places, : 
and imparted their waters to those in the harbour. Although low the island is covered 
with tall cocoa-trees, which makes it visible 54 or 6 leagues to sea. A steep coral-reef 
fronts the sea all round, on which it breaks very high and renders the landing on the 
exterior impracticable. This reef is steep, too, in most places, there being no anchorage 
for a ship on the outside of the island except in the entrance of the harbour at the 
* + Directions for Sailing to and from the East Indies.’ p. 131. 
