PEKSIAN GULF. 249 



large scale is given of these islands ; they are low and of coral 

 formation (Boteler's Nar. vol. ii. p. 54) ; and generally have 

 extensive reefs projecting from them, which are dry at low 

 water, and which on the outside rise abruptly from a deep 

 sea ; on the inside they are separated from the continent by a 

 channel, or rather a succession of bays, with an average depth 

 of 10 fathoms. The small headlands on the continent also 

 have coral banks attached to them ; and the Querimba islands 

 and banks are placed on the line of prolongation of these head- 

 lands, and are separated from them by very shallow channels. 

 It is evident that whatever cause, whether the drifting of sedi- 

 ment or subterranean movements, produced the headlands, like- 

 wise produced, as might have been expected, submarine prolon- 

 gations to them; and these towards their outer extremities have 

 since afforded a favourable basis for the growth of coral-reefs, 

 and subsequently for the formation of islets. As these reefs 

 clearly belong to the fringing class, the Querimba Islands 

 have been coloured red. — Monabila (13° 32' S.) : in the plan 

 of this harbour, the headlands outside are fringed by reefs 

 apparently of coral; coloured red. — Mozambique (15° S.) : the 

 outer part of the island on which the city is built, and the 

 neighbouring islands are fringed by coral-reefs ; coloured red. 

 From the description given in Owen's Nar. (vol. i. p. 162) the 

 shore from Mozambique to Delagoa Bay appears to be low and 

 sandy : many of the shoals and islets off this line of coast are 

 of coral formation ; but from their small size and lowness, it is 

 not possible, from the charts, to know whether they are truly 

 fringed. Hence this portion of coast is left uncokmred, as are 

 likewise those parts more northward, of which no mention has 

 been made in the foregoing pages, from the want of informa- 

 tion. 



Persian Gulf. — From the charts lately published on a 

 large scale by the East Indian Company, it appears that several 

 parts, especially the southern shores, are fringed by coral-reefs; 

 but as the water is very shallow, and as there are numerous 



