460 



APPENDIX III. 



About sunset tlie appearance of what seemed to be land, 

 in the west part of the horizon, produced considerable 

 alarm, which was soon dissipated, on observing that the 

 clouds which caused this strange and remarkable deception 

 began to alter their forms. 



13th, Sunday. At 5 p.m. steering S.W., we had a view 

 of the Island of Socotra (Note 1) through the haze, bearing 

 W". by S. J S., distant 10 or 12 leagues. Stood towards it 

 with an intention of nearing the shore before daylight next 

 morning, in order that we miglit have an opportunity of 

 ascertaining the position of the easternmost point of the 

 island, but the Sylph making the signal that she had 

 struck soundings, we hove to for the remainder of the 

 night. Thermometer 78^ lat. 13-^ 13' N., long. 55" 11' 

 15" E. 



14th, Monday. We sounded, but found no ground, 

 with a line of 80 fathoms. Made sail again at daybreak, 

 and steering W. by S. coasted along the south side of the 

 island about 15 miles from the shore. Lat. 12" 27' N., 

 long, by chronometer at noon 54° 57' E. At 2 p.m. the 

 eastern extremity of Socotra bore N. by W., and, accord- 

 ing to our observations, is situated in lat. 12° 34' N. ; 

 in longitude, from the chronometer at noon, 45° 45' 

 33", E. 



15th, Tuesday. Continued our course along shore, in 

 from 18 to 27 fathoms, over a bottom of red coral. Soco- 

 tra towards the south presents an appearance extremely 

 dreary ; its arid rocks seemed destitute of trees or verdure 

 of any kind, at least, none were visible to us, though fre- 

 quently examined through our best glasses at only a few 

 miles distance. On approaching it from the cast, land 

 showed in the form of a high promontory, termed by 



