TOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 57 



Fanfhere, which has its fource at the bottom 

 of the mountains of Manghabey, runs into 

 the fea two leagues from Fort Dauphin, and 

 very near to Cape Jtavenate. This river 

 fupplies water tQ a large lake, which the 

 iilanders call the bke of Amboule, It is tea 

 thoufand fathoms in circumference, and its 

 mean depth is about forty feet. 



The lake of Amboule would form an ex- 

 cellent harbour, were not the channel by 

 which it communicates with the fea often 

 Shut ,up by fhifting fands* 



There are certain times when large velTds 

 might eafily be carried into this bafin : but 

 fuch opportunities are rare* Before thefe 

 occafioas can happen, the river, by a fuddea 

 fwell, muft have wafhed away the bar of 

 fand which the winds and the tvaves are 

 every day accumulating at its mouth, and 

 which is formed in that fpot where the cur- 

 pnt of the water is in equilibrio with the 



force 



