HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
149 
having agreed upon Mascaregnas as a place of rendezvous, according to the tenor of 
orders, took their different courses, and soon lost sight of each other. The Taureau 
arrived there the ninth of July; the La Vierge de bon Port cast anchor four days 
after in the same road; and the Aigle Blanc arrived at the same time, at the eastern 
side of the island. As there was not any one on board the latter vessel who had 
ever been on shore in this island, six of the passengers undertook to reconnoitre it, 
and, having ascended a mountain in order to take a view of the country, perceived 
the two other vessels, and hastened to that part of the shore which was the nearest to 
them. A boat was accordingly dispatched to the Aigle Blanc, to inform the 
captain of this circumstance ; who immediately weighed anchor and joined his 
companions. 
“ The Isle of Mascaregnas is situated between twenty-one and twenty-two 
degrees of south latitude; is of a round figure, and sixty leagues in circumference. 
The sick who were landed there, recovered in a very short time, from the purity of 
the air, and the excellence of its refreshments. The turtle doves, the wood pigeons, 
and parroquets, were so far from being alarmed at the sight of man, that they flew 
about him with such familiarity, as to suffer themselves to be taken without any 
exertion. Cattle and goats were seen in great numbers. Hogs also were in great 
plenty, and fed on the land turtles, which were seen crawling about in every quarter. 
The sea turtles visited the shore during the evening, and were easily taken. The 
birds, indeed, were frightened from their familiarity, by the indiscretion of those 
who very idly amused themselves with discharging their pieces; but the land 
animals were inexhaustible, as well as the fish, which were found in pools, or 
inhabited the beautiful rivers that flowed through the island. Almost all the trees 
wept benzoin, and other precious gums: they are very lofty and fit for building; 
but their wood is extremely hard, and so heavy that it cannot be employed in the 
construction of vessels, particularly as it splits when dry.* The soil is so rich 
as to be made capable of producing two harvests in the year; and the water, 
which is excellent, does not nourish any venemous and mischievous animal. 
Ambergris, coral, and the most beautiful shells in the world are found upon the 
coast. 
“ One half of this island was formerly consumed by fire, which has left very 
* That is not exact: it has been known since, that there are trees in these islands which are 
proper for the construction of vessels, as has been proved by experience. Some frigates, privateers, 
and merchant ships, have been built at Mauritius at different times. 
