HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
49 6 
to Tamerin Cove, which is about a quarter of a league broad. Nothing grows 
there, though cocoa trees might be planted with success: to the right there is a 
brook of indifferent water, which runs through the woods. 
il There are various places which are no longer covered by the sea: large shells 
and fossils prove,, that it has receded from this coast. Where the sea displays itself, 
heyond the reefs in the offing, there is a kind of hollow bottom, or natural covered 
way. Cannon might be placed there with great effect ; but above all, roads are 
necessary, and there are none. 
“ About a league from the Black river, is the plantation of M. de Messino. 
From the Tamerin Cove to the riviere Noire , the sea beach is steep, and along 
the foot of the rocks there are abundance of crabs. 
“ The bottom of the Cove is sand, and vessels may land there. There is no bat¬ 
tery on the sandy point to the right of the river Noire. By crossing the peninsula 
of the first Black.river, which is covered with wood, stones, and long grass,-you get 
to the shore; at low tide there are a great many oysters sticking to the rocks along 
the coast. 
“ After having passed the two rivieres Noires , there is a brook that falls into 
the sea, facing a small island called Tamarin Islet. At low water it may be gained 
on foot, as well as the Islet of the Morne, where sometimes vessels ride during 
their quarantine. 
“ Here are blocks of ferruginous rock abounding in mineral; there is also a ridge 
of rocks which stretch out from the riviere Noire , as far as Morne Brabant, which 
is the most windward point of the island: there is a passage behind the Islet of 
Tamarin. From thence you arrive at the plantations of M. le Normand, situated 
on the sea-shore, and three leagues farther to Belle-ombre, in which M. Etienne 
has a concern, between which is the point of Corail. At the point da Corail , the 
sea enters the island between two chains of rocks formed into a peakyou must 
follow this chain, walking through broken paths, and clinging to the rocks. The 
most difficult is on the other side of the Cove, in doubling the point called the 
Cape: in stormy weather this passage is impracticable,* the sea is here engulfed, 
and breaks in a dreadful manner. In calm weather small vessels enter into the 
Cove, at the bottom of which they take in a lading of wood. On the left bank of 
the fiver des Cilronniers, vessels are built of about two hundred tons. 
“ t’rom the plantation of M. le Normand, all this part is covered with a delightful 
