320 Survey of the Maldive Islands. [Jcnb, 



shoals, with the exception of two small patches between Gullandoo and 

 Mooradoo ; but on the western, there are several nearly dry, and some 

 sunken patches, having from 3 to 10 fathoms on them. The soundings 

 vary from 20 to 34 fathoms, the latter being the greatest depth of 

 water obtained. 



Population. Of the twenty-two islands composing this Atoll, there 

 are only seven inhabited, viz. Heavandoo, Koorafooree, Katefooree, 

 Turracoon, Colligaum, Beeramerdoo, and Mooradoo. In the margin* I 

 have noted the number of inhabitants and boats upon each, by which it 

 will be seen, that the population, including men, women, and children, 

 does not exceed 760 individuals. The boats are all employed in fishing : 

 the trade between this Atoll and Tilla Dow Madow, whence they are 

 supplied with such articles as they require, being carried on in those 

 of the latter. 



The islands are so similar in form and natural productions, that 

 it would be a waste of time to describe them separately. I shall there- 

 fore give a sketch of Heavandoo, the island of greatest importance in 

 this group ; not so much on account of its size, as from its being the 

 residence of the Sultan's Vizier when he visits the Atoll. It is of a trian- 

 gular form, about one mile in length, and is composed of coral, eleva- 

 ted about 1 2 feet above the level of the sea. The western side is 

 thickly covered with cocoanut and bread-fruit trees ; and the northern 

 and eastern, with thick brush wood : the interior, which is 3 or 4 feet 

 lower than the sides, has been cleared by the inhabitants for the pur- 

 pose of cultivating a small grain called Bimbi. The supply, however, 

 which with the exception of a few sweet potatoes, pumpions, and limes, 

 forming the only vegetable production of the island, is not sufficient for 

 their support. The village, consisting of about 50 huts and 150 in- 

 habitants, stands on the S. W. side. The huts, surrounded by spaci- 

 ous inclosures, are in general constructed of a frame-work of 

 the wood of the cocoanut tree, the interstices filled up with leaves 

 stitched together, and the roof neatly thatched with the same material. 

 In the vicinity there are good paths intersecting the island in different 

 directions, which, being kept remarkably clean by the women, form 



* Island. Population. No. of Boats. 



Heavandoo, 150 6 



Koorafooree, 160 5 



Katefooree, 70 3 



Turracoon, 50 2 



Colligaum, 150 4 



Beeramerdoo 30 2 



Mooradoo, 150 5 



