M9" 

 VII. 



toffeNICOBAR ISLES and the Fruit of the MELLORI, 

 By NICOLAS FONTANA, Efq. 



THE fouth weft monfcon having ftrongly fet in on the Malabar coaft, 

 it was deemed unfa fe to remain there any longer; we therefore 

 took our departure' from Mangalore on the zoth May.,, 1778, directing. 

 our courfc towards the gulph of Bengal, and in lefs than ten days,. 

 we came in fight of the Carnicobar Iflands; the appearance of which 

 at feven or eight leagues difrance, is much- like a chain of mountains 

 covered with woods: we anchored to the N. E, of one of them, in 

 five fathoms with a good fandy bottom; fupplied ourfelves with water and 

 wood, and proceeded in queff. of the other Niecbars or Nancaveriu as they. 

 are called, fituated between eight and nine ds. N. L. to the ■ north'ernmoft 

 point of the Ifland of Sumatra, They were defcried on the 4th June to the 

 S. W.i W. at the cliitance of ten leagues:, the pofition of three of thofe 

 Iflands forms one of the fafeft harbours in ■ India H where (hips of all fizes. 

 may ride with the greater! fecurity, Iheltered from all winds, about half a 

 mile from (hore; with the additional advantage of two entrances, that may 

 ferve for getting in and out, both with a N. E. and S. W. Monfoon, having 

 a clear deep channel on each fide. 



In one of the bays formed within thofe iflands, we' moored in twelve 

 fathoms, and there remained until the S. W. monfoon was quite over, 

 which was in the beginning of September. The largeft of thofe iflands is 

 called Nahcaveri 'or Nanco-wry about five or fix Ls. in circumference; and 

 better inhabited, than any of the other two. The fecond is called Soury or*' 



