SOMAULI POINT. 07 
when it exceeds 100. In the evenhig, being about five miles 
only from Somauli Point, and iri forty-one fathoms, we deter- 
mined to go on shore. We found gradually decreasing sound- 
ings as we approached the land, and three fathoms water close 
to the beach, which renders the landing unpleasant ; for, in spite 
of the fine weather, we experienced a surf that completely wetted 
us through in getting out of the boat. We met with few objects 
on shore worthy of observation. The herbage was scanty, the 
soil sandy, and much impregnated with salt ; and at no great 
distance from the coast a lagune extended inland over a flat 
plain, which from the distant view we took of it, appeared to be 
covered with trees. This lagune abounded with wild fowl, and 
on the borders of it stood birds of a species called by the Arabs 
Abou Hannes, which is the true ibis of the Egyptians, as described 
by Herodotus ; a fact strongly marked by the head and neck being- 
bare, and of a deep black colour.*' It may be worthy of remark 
also, that Strabo mentions this bird as frequenting the coast to the 
eastward of the Straits of Asiprj or Babelmandeb, (opuylai yup 'iQsig 
7rsp]Tou roTTov.) At some distance from the spot where we landed stood 
a few huts, and we saw some of the natives engaged in fishing ; 
but the evening was too far advanced to admit of our attempting 
any intercourse with them. There is a very curious account of 
two attempts made to communicate with the natives of this coast 
in a work entitled. Voyage de TArabie Heureuse, published at 
Amsterdam in 1716. In the fiY^t instance the French captain 
went boldly on shore, and w ith all the nonchalance characterising 
* A tolerably good specimen of this bird is to be seen in Mr. Bullock's valuable 
Museum. 
