20 
LAKE DEBO. 
On the 2nd of April the weather continued calm. 
Towards eight o'clock in the morning we passed some large 
islands^ situated not far from the mouth of the lake Debo. 
The river is here divided by several islands, which separate 
it into different narrow branches of great depth. Two of 
these islands are larger than the rest, and might be habit- 
able, for, when the river overflows, they are only par- 
tially inundated. On one of these islands, there are the 
huts of fishermen, and of shepherds, whose numerous 
flocks find rich pasture on the marshes. These marshes 
are covered by aquatic birds of every kind. There is an 
infinite number of other small islands covered with rank 
grass, and inundated at all seasons. When this immense 
river overflows all the herbage is under water, and then the 
lake appears much more extensive ; its banks are no longer 
perceptible, and it might be mistaken for an inland sea. 
After a slow navigation, during which we made re- 
peated halts, we reached the mouth of the great lake about 
three in the afternoon. About six miles S. W. of this 
entrance, there is a rock in the form of a truncated sugar- 
loaf; it is situated in an inundated marsh which is covered 
with green herbage. This enormous rock, which is quite 
bare, forms a singular contrast with the freshness of the 
surrounding vegetation. As it has, though a very striking 
land-mark, received no name from the natives, I thought 
proper to give it one, and have named the whole spot 
St. Charles's Island. In the lake, and about nine or ten 
miles to the N. E. is a small island on which I observed 
some trees almost destitute of leaves. It is capable of being 
inhabited, and affords facilities for the formation of a good 
port. I have named it Henry Island, in honour of his 
Royal Highness the Duke of Bourdeaux. A third island, 
also formed of rock, is situated between these two, a little 
to the eastward of the line which would intersect them, and 
to it I have given the name of Maria-Theresa, in honour of ' 
