( 4* ) 



SECTION VII. 



ISLANDS OFF THK EAST COAST OF AFRICA. 



Madagascau .—Tins island, one of the largest in the world, extends 

 from Cape St. Mary, its S. extremity, in latitude 2.5° 40 S., longitude 

 4s5° 16 E., in a N. N. E. direction, to Cape Amber, its N. extremity, which 

 is in latitude 12° £ S., longitude 49' 25 E. It is about 100 leagues from 

 the Coast of Africa; and the sea between, denominated the Mozambique 

 Channel, is much frequented by ships proceeding to India, especially to 

 Bombay. 



On this account it is fit to state, that the Chart and Memoir of the 

 Madagascar Archipelago, published by Governor Farquhar, has been 

 declared by Captain Horsbnrgh to contain some dangerous errors : — 1. The 

 bank called the Cargados Garajos is laid down on the Chart as reaching only 

 from latitude 16° IS' to 16° 29V S. ; whereas these shoals are ascertained 

 to extend from latitude 16° 9 to 16° 52' S., and from longitude 5JT 25' to 

 59° 50 E.; the variation 9j[ deg. W. The flood sets in the direction of 

 the trade-wind, and continues 7 hours ; the ebb sets E., but is of short 

 duration. (//. M. 8. Masfitienne, 1819.) — 2. The most easterly group of the 

 Seychelle Islands is omitted in the Chart, among which are Frigate's Isle, 

 Three Sisters, Felicite, and Mariane Islands, which lie far to the E. of 

 Mahe ; and being situated on the windward side of the bank, are conse- 

 quently the first islands visible in approaching with the S. E. trade-wind. 

 3. Cape Amber is placed 41 miles too far E. in the Chart. — 4. Bassas dlndia, 

 called Juive in the Chart, is represented as a reef of rocks ; whereas it is 

 an island covered with brush-wood and small trees, and 41 \ miles further S. 

 than placed in the Chart. — 5. Europe Shoal is omitted, which is in latitude 

 21° 28 S., longitude 40° 3 E.— 6. John de Nova, and St. Christopher's, 

 are one and the same, though represented in the Chart as two. — 7. Chester- 

 field Shoal is placed in latitude 16° 8 S., longitude 43° S3 E., instead of 

 in latitude 16° 19 S., longitude 44" 7 E. 



The W. side of Madagascar contains many bays and harbours but 

 little known : the only one resorted to by outward-bound East Indiamen is 



St. AUGUSTINE'S BAY. — At the entrance, about 2 miles from 



