^64 
COAST OF ABYSSINIA. 
the coast as we passed along, and can positively assert that it was, 
as usual, low, and free from headlands, without a single projection 
that could justify Mr. Bruce's chart, or give weight to the consequent 
conjecture of Dr. Vincent. Towards evening the coast began to run 
off more to the west, and the soundings were very irregular, from 
nineteen to thirty-six fathom in a cast, with a bottom, sometimes of 
mud, and sometimes of coral rock. The swell was greater, and from 
the S.E. in the same direction as the monsoon on the opposite shore. 
We anchored about eight in thirteen fathom, mud, but rocky near 
us. Lest we should drive, we let go our best bower anchor. 
January 2,5. — It rained a short time in the morning, when we 
were within two miles of the shore, which began to have a bolder 
appearance. The hillocks were near the shore; beyond them a 
number of detached conical mountains ; and in the back ground the 
same lofty range that had been constantly visible. On one of the 
hillocks was a small white Mussulmaun tomb ; another was visible 
seven miles north, close to the sea. Our pilot said they were 
Turkish, but that at present no inhabitants were there. He called 
it Mundalow. I did not wish to examine it, as the buildings were 
evidently modern. On the tops of some of the other hillocks were 
protuberances, which were either watch-towers in ruins, or rocks ^ 
which at our distance it was impossible to distinguish. At ten a 
remarkable range of hills was in sight, making four pointed tops. 
At eleven it was clearly seen, N. 55° W. over a low point of land, 
covered with trees. At half after eleven another tomb was visible 
on the shore, the skirting of trees having ended. Near the land 
were several reefs. At twelve the wood again began. The hills 
abovementioned ended in a very conspicuous point, off which was 
