EODUmVEt, MAVRITIUB AND REUNTON. 441 



surrounds the island, but an opening in tlie reef on the north side 

 allows a vessel to find a secure anchorage in Port Maturin. This is 

 the lee side, as the S.-E. trade blows regularly all the year round. 

 An inner reef fringes the shore on all sides, leaving a shalloAV passage 

 for "piroques," but the navigation is at all times difficult and often 

 dangerous. 



To the sportsman, the naturalist and geologist, Rodriguez offers 

 unusual attractions. In the old forests herds of deer roam un- 

 molested, save from naval officers in their rare visits to the island. 

 These deer were originally introduced some thirty years ago, Avhen 

 a pair were lauded from Borneo and subsequently another pair 

 from Mauritius. These have done well, and at the j)resent day 

 probably from 1,500 to 2,000 deer exist on the island, some of the 

 stags being as much as 20 stone in weight, and carrying fine 

 heads. Gruinea fowl are numerous, but difficult to bag, owing to 

 the rocky nature of the soil making sjDort a severe toil. Partridges 

 abound, also wild pigs, cats, goats, and rabbits on the small islets 

 round the coast. 



The climate is similar to Mauritius, and very pleasant during the 

 winter months, Ma}'- till September. It is also very healthy. The 

 population is about 1,500, mostly Creoles of Mauritius, speaking a 

 French ^Jf/^of.s. 



Fruits of many kinds peculiar to the tropics are abundant. 

 Mangos, guavas, oranges, limes, citrons, bananas, etc., and in the 

 woods may be found wild rasj)berries, and of vegetables, quantities 

 of chillies, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, yams, sugar-cane, 

 maize, etc. The waters are teeming with fish of excellent quality, 

 and turtle visit the island in the breeding season. 



In Oyster Bay are some basaltic columns, nearly 200 feet high, 

 and on the south side are numerous caverns, similar to those in 

 Bermuda and other coral islands. In fact, the islaud is largely 

 composed of coral, bearing evidence of having been up-heaved from 

 the ocean by volcanic agency at a remote period. l^o active volcano 

 exists at the present time. 



During our stay of 8 days we organized several " chasses " with 

 very satisfactory results, our sportsmen bagging 30 deer, amongst 

 them some fine stags, also gviinea fowls, partridges and rabbits. 



