COAST OF ABYSSINIA. 2,63 
reported it was hard sand, and it shoaJed to two fathom water 
within half a mile of the shore, when the rocks again began. They 
were followed by a great number of sharks, some very large. They 
brought a branch of the tree, which proves to be Mr. Bruce's Rack; 
it had fruit on it, which Mr. Salt drew. The breeze sprang up 
about eleven ; but our boat was not back till twelve, when we 
weighed. We again anchored at night, after having made twenty- 
seven miles, with a strong sea breeze. There was some swell from 
the N. E. probably owing to the sea being open to the main chan* 
nel, where the monsoon prevails in all its force. At least there are 
now no islands in sight to the eastward from the mast head. The 
coast has changed its appearance ; the smaller range of hills are near 
to the shore. The soundings were to clay irregular, but thfere was 
always plenty of water. 
January ^4.— -The sea breeze sprang up earlier, and we were under 
sail by nine. Our friend Unus Barilla brought us some very fine 
fish. Inland we could distinguish large groves of trees, and others to 
the north, on the sea shore. These the pilot says are doom-trees, 
and that there are also great quantities of the common mimos^. He 
describes the country as inhabited by Bedowee, and as being a 
part of the sovereign of Sennaar's dominions. Lions, panthers, and 
elephants are in great numbers; this may therefore be considered 
as a part of the great forest, from which Ptolemy Philadelphus 
procured the latter mentioned animals, and for the convenience of 
hunting in which, he established the port of Ptolemais Theron. 
We were at twelve o clock in latitude 17° 12,\ where Mr. Bruce has 
placed a deep bay, near which, on the projecting point of a head- 
land, Dr. Vincent conjectures Ptolemais Theron was built. I watched 
