HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
8 
its largest diameter is thirty-one thousand, eight hundred, and ninety toises from north 
to south ; and twenty-two thousand, one hundred and twenty-four from east to 
west. Its surface contains four hundred and thirty-two thousand, six hundred and 
eighty acres, at the rate of one hundred rods to each acre, and twenty-four feet to 
each rod. Thus, according to these calculations, the island is not more than thirty- 
one leagues in circumference, about eleven in length, and seven in breadth. The 
north-west part is level, and the north-east part entirely covered with mountains, 
from nine hundred to a thousand and fifty yards in height. The highest and most 
remarkable of them is at the mouth of the Black river, and is called Peterboite. ; It 
terminates in the form of an obelisk, crowned with a large square piece of rock, 
which no one has ever ventured to ascend. At a distance, this natural pyramid and 
its capital, resembles the statue of a woman. 
The island is watered with upwards of sixty rivulets, some of which are destitute 
of water in the dry season; more particularly since so much wood has been cut 
down. The interior parts of the island are full of ponds, and are frequently refresh¬ 
ed with rain, the clouds being continually broken by the summits of the mountains, 
'and the woods which cover them: this circumstance is extremely beneficial to the 
island, and is the cause of its healthiness and fertility. 
A particular acquaintance with the harbours is essential to the knowledge of any 
maritime country. We shall, therefore, offer the instructions for entering Port 
Louis, which have been partly communicated by Mr. Dalrymple, who, in every thing 
which relates to the navigation and circumstances of the Indian seas, is superior to 
any other man. 
<c Proceeding from the east, the first land you make is a small island, west by south, 
provided you come by the latitude of 20 deg. 5 min. 5 sec. Soon afterwards, you 
will see the north-east part of the principal island; then, keeping the same side, bear 
away boldly to the west, till you have the Isle Longue about three miles to the 
north-east, when the point you are to make, will be about a mile to the south : leave 
the latter at a convenient distance to the east; when, after having passed the two first 
points, direct your course to the body of the island, keeping, however, to the south¬ 
west of it, if you have a land breeze, but if the wind blows from the sea, keep more 
to the west, on account of the waves, which commonly bear towards the land. 
Then, leaving Fort Blanc to the right, steer into the port towards the south, or rather 
to the south-east, when you will be off the first buoy, which will be to the left of 
B 2 * 
