3 io 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
ship sailed along it one whole day, and remarked that it extended twenty-six leagues 
from east to west, and fourteen leagues from north to south. Although there 
has been no subsequent confirmation of the existence of this bank, it may, at all 
events, be prudent to entertain some apprehensions of it. I have passed to the north 
and to the south of it, but at such a distance, that I could not observe it. I re¬ 
marked, however, as many other navigators have done, that in this part of our 
course the sea was agitated, and the waves very short. 
“ When you have got to 20° of latitude, as has already been observed, you must 
make good your course to the west, till you are in sight of the Isle of France. 
4t The variation of the compass will determine, in a great measure, if you are to the 
east or the west of the Island of Rodriguez. In the first case, you will find it from 
9° to to°, according to the distance; but if you observe it from 12 0 to 13 0 , you 
will then be between the two islands. In short, if the difference in the reckoning 
of the longitude should be on the east, and Rodriguez should be in sight, you must 
bear away to the southward of it. 
“ This island is situated in 19 0 40' of south latitude, and in 6o° 52' of east lon¬ 
gitude,* according to the observations of M. Pingre, in 1761. Its length is about 
six leagues from east to west, and its greatest breadth about two leagues and an 
half from north to south. It is very visible at sea, at the distance of from ten to 
twelve leagues; and appears from the offing, with the exception of some small ele¬ 
vations, to possess a level surface. This island is bounded to the north, the south, 
and the west, with chains of rocks nearly even with the water’s edge, on which 
there are scattered several rocky islets. This bank extends a league and an half from 
the coast; and the north-east side is the least dangerous, as the reef recedes sufficiently 
from the bank to admit of ranging along the isle on that side. The most commo¬ 
dious part of its coast for landing, is to the north, opposite the settlement. There 
is also a channel between the reefs on the south side, but it is so winding, that it re¬ 
quires considerable practice to navigate it with safety. 
44 A guard house, with a few blacks, is maintained here to collect turtle, which are 
daily observed to diminish ; indeed it is to be apprehended, that the rats and wild 
cats, who multiply considerably there, will soon destroy the species of this whole¬ 
some and nutritious animal. 
“ The vessels which wish to touch there, whether to obtain a provision of turtles. 
From Paris. 
