EODEIGUES. 



53 



Rodrigues, which is administered by a commissioner dependent on the governor 

 of Mauritius, had in 1886 a population of less than two thousand, a number 

 relatively ten times less than that of the neighbouring island. Formed of 

 disintegrated volcanic rocks, naturally fertile, and abounding in water and fruits, 

 the island was formerly covered with forests, which have been destroyed by 

 conflagrations. Nothing is now seen except brushwood and here and there a few 



Fig. 18. — RODEIGUES. 



Scale 1 : 135,000. 







R3°30' 



Jjepths. 



Eeefs exposed at 

 low watpr. 



OtoSO 



Feet 



SO to 160 

 Feet. 



160 to 320 

 Feet. 



3^ Mile.=. 



320 Feet and 

 upwards. 



clumps 0Î jyandaniis vahoa. But although it no longer deserves the name of the 

 " earthly paradise " given to it by Le Guat in the seventeenth century, E.odrigues 

 might easily support large numbers of settlers. It even still exports considerable 

 quantities of maize, haricot beans, fruits, fish, and cattle to Mauritius. The outlet 

 for this trade is the little town of Port Mathurin, on the north coast. 



The turtles which down to the beginning of the eighteenth century swarmed 



