344 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS’. 
along the eastern side, availing yourself at the same time of the breezes and ebb 
tides, and steering towards the Point Baldriche. To the south of that point there is 
a small islet named Behenter y to the south of which those vessels come to an anchor 
which carry on the traffic of this place. The coast which extends two leagues to 
the east, is lined by a reef about two-thirds of a league from it, to another islet called 
Mopatte , from whence the coast runs four leagues to the north-east by north, 
and afterwards north-north-east from 3 0 to 4° north, as far as the East Cape, which 
is situate in 15 0 15' latitude. As it is also lined with reefs which advance, in many 
places, two-thirds of a league into the sea, it is necessary to keep at the distance 
of a league from it, in order to avoid all possible danger. 
“ From the East Cape, the coast takes a western direction, and runs only to the 
north by north-west 3 0 west, to the Bay of Vohemare , situate in 13 0 26' latitude; from 
whence it continues to extend, in the same line, to Cape d’Ambre , which is the 
northernmost point of Madagascar, and is in 12 0 5' latitude. 
" The Bay of Vohemare , or Boemaro , so called from the Portuguese Captain 
who made the discovery of it, is nothing more than a cove, lined by a reef on 
which there are several islets. It is supposed that between this bay and the Cape 
d’Ambre there are other bays, but I have never been able to procure any descrip¬ 
tion of them. 
“ I must also observe, respecting the eastern coast of Madagascar, that Fort 
Dauphin is generally healthy, in all seasons; that from Foul Pointe, which is only 
so in the bad season, the country is unwholesome in proportion as it advances to 
the north; and to preserve the crew from the diseases which prevail there in the 
sickly season, after the end of November, care must be taken not to permit any one 
to sleep on shore, and that every one should return on board at the approach of 
night. 
“ When ships going to India do not put. into Madagascar, and only pass to 
the east, it is necessary to take a view of it to rectify their course. Thus, after 
having reached, as I have already said, the parallel of 25 0 of latitude, if, by making 
good the course to the north during the day, and the north-north-east during the 
night, you should get to i5°of latitude, without seeing Madagascar, which would 
be the effect of a difference to the east,* then you must steer to the west-north-west, 
“ * I am sensible that these differences are rare, and that they are oftener found to the westward 
than the eastward. The example of the ship La Paix, in 1749* which made the land to the south 
