ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [E. Coast of Africa. 



of a harder and whiter substance than elephants 1 teeth, and do not turn 

 yellow so soon ; they are therefore preferred for making artificial teeth. 

 Choose them large, straight, and free from cracks anil Haws: those under 

 2 lbs. weight are of little value. 



The hide of the animal makes excellent whips. 



Tortoise-shell is only obtained from that species of sea-tortoise called 

 the hawk s bill, esteemed merely for its shell, the plates of which are far 

 stronger, thicker, and cleaner than in any other kind. The shell is some- 

 what heart-shaped, consisting of thirteen plates or divisions, surrounded by 

 twenty-five marginal pieces ; of the former, there are four on each side, and 

 five on the back, the last bent in the centre ; of the side plates, the two 

 middle are most valuable, being largest and thickest ; those on the back and 

 margin, denominated hoof are comparatively of little value. Tortoise-shell 

 should be chosen in large, thick plates ; free from cracks, carbuncles, or 

 barnacles ; clear, transparent, and variegated. The crooked, broken, and 

 small plates should be rejected. A peculiar kind, said to be met with in 

 the Maldives, is very superior, being very dark, smooth, and beautifully 

 variegated, often with natural figures in it At the Cape of Good Hope, 

 a small land-tortoise is common, the shells of which, about three inches in 

 diameter, are very beautiful, and made into snurF boxes. The freight of 

 tortoise-shell is compuLed at the rate of 20 Cwt. to a ton. 



QUERIMBA, which gives name to a chain of islands extending as far 

 as Cape Delgado, along the coast, is in latitude about 12 20 S. and longi- 

 tude 40° 58 E. It may be distinguished by palm-trees on its N. point, 

 and a white sandy beach, with a large house serving as a fort. There are 

 on this island about thirty well-built houses, scattered like farms. 



Trade.— -The Arabs occasionally dispose of piece-goods and a lew 

 other articles here, receiving corn, cowries, tortoise-shell, and provisions. 



MAC ALOE.— The harbour is about 18 leagues to the N. of Querimba, 

 and formed between the main land and the Island Macaloe. On the N. side 

 of the point, on the main, is the town, directly opposite the island, where 

 vessels trading here anchor in 7 or 8 fathoms, good holding ground, mud 

 and sand. If it is intended to stop here, a signal should be made for a 

 pilot 



It is essential to state that, in standing through the Mozambique 

 Channel, from the latitude of 12 3 30 S., the land should not be approached 

 nearer than just to see it in clear weather, until in the latitude of Cape 

 Delgado, N. of which, as far as latitude V 47 S., is safe. Most of the 

 small islands are uninhabited. 



MONO ALLOU RIVER is to the N. W. of Cape Delgado, in latitude 

 1(T 7 S.j and not easily distinguished. The entrance is about a cable's 



