100 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
CHAPTER IV. 
An Account of the Island of Rodriguez , or Diego Ruys.—Its Situation , according 
to the Admirals Cornish and Kempenfelt.—Extract from the Voyage of M. le 
Guai, relative to this Island.—Circumstances of his Arrival there.—The Mode 
of Life adopted by him and his Companions.—Natural History , Animal, Vege¬ 
table, and Marine Productions.—The interesting Departure of M. le Gnat, &c. 
from thence for the Island of Mauritius ; their Arrival there ; with their Recep¬ 
tion, and subsequent Treatment, &c. 
The Island Rodriguez being particularly connected with the Isle of France, the 
following account, containing a relation of the first remarkable events which hap¬ 
pened there, naturally presents itself, as an appropriate link in the chain of our 
narration.* 
This island, according to Admiral Kempenfelt, is situated 19 deg. 13 min. lati¬ 
tude, and the variation of the needle is 10 deg. 13 min. W. It is about twenty-six 
miles long, and twelve broad, possessing a mild climate. The country is moun¬ 
tainous, and in many places full of rocks and large stones, which cover the surface; 
though there are others in which the soil is excellent, and calculated to produce fruit 
trees and vegetables of every kind: the garden of the French Governor is full of 
them : he has also plantations of rice, peas, and tobacco; but the best production 
of the island is the land turtle, which is in great abundance. Small vessels are con¬ 
tinually employed in transporting them by thousands to the Isle of Mauritius, for 
the service of the hospital. Sea turtles are also very plentiful; the sea cow is often 
taken, and there is an abundance of fish of various kinds. It is however necessary 
to observe, that such as are caught beyond the reefs in deep water, are poisonous;- 
while those which are taken in the more shallow parts are excellent; particularly 
the Pierre bas, the red and grey mullet, and a fish that resembles a whiting, and 
which the French call Mort au chien. 
* This island must not be confounded with that of Diego Rayes, which is but one degree north 
from the equator, and 88 deg. long, east from Ferro; nor with that of Diego Garcia, which is situ¬ 
ated between the 7th and 8th deg. south latitude, and 87 long. 
