OF SUMATRA, II 



base, in proportion to the axis, being small. The 

 shape gives them, in general, the appearance of 

 trees of that figure, such as the poplar, &c. One 

 of the shoals I visited, to the southwest of Pooho 

 Pinangy near PaJa??g, was at that time covered 

 by two feet and an half of water, and could not be 

 distinguished by vessels passing at some distance, but 

 at such times as the winds produced a swell or agita- 

 tion on it. I passed along this part of the coast in 

 February 1789, very close to this shoal, just four 

 years and seven months after the period at which the 

 survey had been taken ; and was not a little astonished 

 to observe a small sandy island, about ten yards in 

 diameter, having a few bushes growing on it, formed 

 on the top of the shoal, which lies nearly in thirty- 

 seven fathoms of water. I could not mistake this 

 shoal, as there was no other contiguous to it, and as 

 my chart, by which I suggested the safest course to 

 run in, then lay before me. In May and September 

 1789, I had an opportunity, in going to and returning 

 from Tappanoely-Xizxbouv (which I had been directed 

 to survey) co be again on several of the shoals includ- 

 ed in my chart of the coasts of the D/^r/^-districts, 

 and, according to my expectations, found the depth 

 of the water on them considerably diminished since 

 the survey had been taken. In March 1790, I was 

 sent for by a gentleman at Fort Marlborough, whose 

 house commanded a view of the fea, to observe the 

 water break in or on two shoals in the roads. This 

 gentleman had resided on the coast near fifteen years, 

 jind frequently. in this house, without having observ- 

 ed 



