76 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1818. through a strait separating Point Annesley from 
April 11. Yalentia Island, we entered Mountnorris Bay, 
and after coasting for some distance, until the 
bottom of the bay was visible, we anchored 
near the eastern shore, and passed the night. 
The coast from Valentia Island to our an- 
chorage is principally formed by sandy beaches, 
the continuity of which is broken by projecting 
rocky heads, one of which is Point Coombe. 
Valentia Island is low and thickly wooded, and 
partakes of the monotonous appearance of the 
main land, which is equally covered with low, 
small, and apparently- stunted trees. 
12 * At day-dawn the Malays were observed mak- 
ing a move, and as each proa got undersail, it 
steered towards us. The anchor was, therefore, 
immediately weighed, and we prepared to receive 
them as formidably as our means allowed. Their 
number was now increased to twenty-one vessels, 
by their having hoisted out six large canoes; but 
as they approached, there was no appearance of 
any hostile intention, since some of them steered 
across the bay, and only a few continued to 
direct their course towards us. One of the 
canoes came near with the intention of visiting 
us, but not liking too intimate an acquaintance 
with them, we pointed to our carronade, and 
beckoned to them to go away, which they imme- 
