HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
3i3 
so as to pass to the south of it, at half, or three quarters of a league distance ; from 
thence you must direct your course to another islet, called the Coin de Mire , which 
is distant from it three leagues and two thirds south-west by west, 30° 30' west. As 
this islet is in the form of a wedge, it derived its name from such an appearance. 
“ About a league to the north-east of the Coin de Mire , and two leagues and an 
half to the south-west of the Isle Ronde , is the Isle Longue , or Plate , so called because 
the greater part of it is low ground. It is divided into two parts by a small arm of 
the sea, which affords a passage to the canoes. To the north is seen a large rock, 
which in its form resembles a tower: it appears to be separated from the Isle Longue , 
though it is in fact joined to it by a chain of rocks that just appear above the water. 
The north-west end of the Isle Longue is high and steep towards the sea. The 
common passage for ships is between this islet and the Coin de Mire. Thus having 
doubled the Isle Ronde on the south side, you must steer towards the Coin de 
Mire , leaving it nevertheless a little to the larboard, in order to escape the rocks 
which are both above and below the water, and line its north side; the most ad¬ 
vanced of which are not more than a musket shot from the shore. 
<c As soon as you have doubled the westernmost rock, you will approach the Coin 
de Mire , whose western part is the most elevated, and very perpendicular towards 
the sea. From this place you must direct your course so as to range along the 
Pointe des Canonniers , which is directly to the south-west, 2 0 west of the most ele¬ 
vated part of the Coin de Mire , and giving at the same time a point to the breakers, 
which advance half a cannon shot into the sea. 
“ The currents or tides, whose high water is one hour, is generally very violent 
between these islands; and it has been observed that they run about a league an 
hour. The flood tide runs to the north-east, and sometimes to the east, and the 
ebb tide takes the contrary direction : it is necessary, therefore, to pay particular 
attention to these circumstances, and to take a little more of one side or the other, 
according as the particular situation of the ship may require. 
tf The Isle Longue forms a sandy cove opposite the Coin de Mire. At its south¬ 
east point there is a chain of rocks, which advance about a cannon shot into the 
sea. As this reef is dangerous, it is necessary to range nearer the Coin de Mire t 
or about mid-channel. 
€t The interval between the Coin de Mire , and the north part of the Isle of 
Ss 
