OCT. — mlb,. 1859-60.] Report on the Laccadive Islands. 251 



ly out of the perpendicular for 20 or 30 feet : the water is so clear 

 that every movement of fishes, turtles, &c, even the eyes of large 

 fish may be seen without difficulty in 7 fathom water. 



17. The lagoon abounds with turtle, a large skate (called " Te- 

 rendy" on the coast) and many fishes fit for food. 



18. In 2 hauls of a large drag net 14,000 yards long 53 turtles 

 and many fish were taken. 



19. The usual anchoring ground is outside the west entrance 

 where there is a bottom of flat rocks and sand for a distance of 

 about 200 yards very gradually deepening. 



20. It h the opinion of th<? inhabitants that no changes what- 

 ever take place in the depth of the various parts of the lagoon and 

 that no new rocks are formed ; I found the coral insects however 

 alive and at work within the lagoon. 



21. The Island of Menakoy is about 5 miles long, and in the 

 broadest part J mile wide, the north \ of the island is a very nar- 

 row strip very gradually widening from 20 yards to the width 

 which it assumes within 1J miles of the south end. 



22. The north end extends in a point considerably beyond the 

 reef out into the sea and is therefore considerably exposed. 



23. No changes in it have been noted by the people. 



24. The accompanying sketch may give some idea^>f the shape 

 of the island and lagoon, &c. 



25. The soil of the island consists of coarse powdered coral 

 with a slight admixture of vegetable matter. 



26. The greater part of Menakoy is quite flat and so near the 

 level of the sea that water may usually be found at depths varying 

 from 1 foot to 6 : the water though a little brackish does not seem 

 to be unwholesome, as the people are generally healthy and seem 

 to have an ordinary average of old people among them. 



27. The overlying flat rock commonly found in the Laccadives 

 has been removed at an unknown period from large portions of 

 the island, and heaped up into a long ridge 25 feet high, and a 

 mile long parallel with and close to the east side of the island ; 

 the material thus removed has also formed numerous other mounds 

 of which one (about 35 feet high) is the highest point on the 

 island. Towards the south end of the island as well as in the north, 

 Vol. xx. o. s. Vol. yji. n. s. 



