454 
with low straggling houses, near a tank covered with wild ducks 
and water-fowl, hitherto unmolested by Europeans. On its banks a 
small fort, a Portugueze church, and a Hindoo temple embellished 
the view. The principal fort stands on the summit of a lofty moun- 
tain, romantically diversified by woods and rock: the ascent is 
steep and difficult. This castle, small, badly constructed, and mount- 
ing only fourteen guns, was incapable of defence, but its situation 
rendered it almost inaccessible. It commands a western view of 
the town and harbour of Bombay, Salsette, and all the adjacent 
islands, and to the east the mountains of the continent, and nearer 
plains of Caranjah; abounding with rice-fields, cocoa-nut, palmyra, 
mango, and tamarind trees, filled with monkeys, parrots, owls, and 
singing-birds of various kinds. 
