E. Comt of Africa. ] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



41 



length wide between the sands, and difficult of access ; but it has from 9 

 to 11 fathoms in the fair channel up to the anchorage above the town, 

 which is a little within the N. point of the river. 

 Trade is chiefly in the hands of the Arabs. 



Provisions are to be procured in abundance, and fire-wood ; but good 

 water with difficulty. 



LINDY RIVER, about 6 leagues from the former, is large, and 

 easy of access, having many villages around, the chief of width is Lindy, 

 on the N. side. It is said to be an excellent harbour, where provisions, 

 wood, and water may be easily procured. 



QUILOA, in latitude 8° 41' S., longitude 39 1 47' E., is on an island, 

 6 miles long from N. to S. The harbour is between the island and main, 

 capable of receiving ships of any size, where they lay secure from all 

 weathers. The town is represented as large and well-built ; the streets 

 narrow ; the fort on one side of the town is strong. 



Trade is extensive, carried on by the Muscat Arabs, who bring piece- 

 goods, sugar, arrack, and spices; and receive elephants 1 teeth, kc. The 

 inhabitants are considered hostile to Europeans, who seldom visit the place. 



ZANZIBAR, or ZUNGRAUR, the largest island on this part of the 

 coast, has a beautiful appearance sailing along. Its N. end is in latitude 

 5 W 40 S., longitude 39 3 46 E. Reefs project from both extremities. The 

 anchorage is in latitude G : ' 6 S. There are two harbours, outer and inner, 

 both fit for large ships. The channel to the latter is very narrow at low 

 water, scarcely three-quarters of a mile wide. The town has some good 

 houses; the rest are huts. The small Arab traders, aller discharging, always 

 dismantle, and move into an inner harbour, behind the town, till the return 

 of the monsoon. The island is tributary to the Imaum of Muscat. The 

 inhabitants go armed, and appear timid. The crew of a Calcutta vessel, 

 wrecked near Macaloe in 1819, experienced the kindest hospital itv from 

 the Arab Governor of Zanzibar, who furnished them with a house and 

 provisions, the best the island afforded, and sent them to Bombay in his 

 own vessel, free of expence. 



Trade. — The inhabitants trade with Mauritius. In their traffic with 

 strangers they prefer buttons, or similar trifles, to coin. An instance is 

 mentioned of their refusal to sell fowls for a guinea, which they readily 

 exchanged for a Marine's button. 



Provisions and Refreshments. — The Governor has a monopoly of 

 supplies, and sells them high ; but the inhabitants supply refreshments 

 cheaper. They have bullocks, goats, poultry, rice, coco-nut oil, and 

 many kinds of delicious fruits. There is good fishing, and turtle are met 



