HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
503 
rock that might render them accessible, as they are not very extensive, they might 
be defended by common walls, chevaux de frise, &c. On any small sandy spot 
mango trees might be planted, whose roots and branches would interweave in such 
a manner as to prevent any boats from landing; at the same time it is necessary to 
use some precaution in planting these trees, that they may not choak up places they 
were intended to preserve. 
This isle is iti a circular form, and each river coming from the centre may be 
considered as the rays of the circle. The banks on the side of the town might have 
their declivities increased by planting raquettes and bamboos, while the ground 
should be raised at the distance of three hundred fathom on the opposite side: thus 
the ground between the two rivulets would become a kind of fortification, and each 
of their channels would be a ditch not easily passed: an enemy would not be able 
to get to the town, but through a thousand difficulties. This system of defence is 
applicable to all islands of a small extent, where the streams always run from the 
centre to the circumference. 
The two mountainous projections which embrace the town and Port Lous require 
no defence but towards the sea: a citadel might be constructed on the Isle of Ton- 
nelliers, whose batteries, placed in covered ways, would discharge a level fire. Mor¬ 
tars, which are so destructive to ships, might also be placed there. To the right and 
left, as far as the mountains, the ground might be strengthened by the lines of a 
fortification. Nature has already saved a part of that expense, to the right, and the 
river des Lataniers protects the front. 
At the extremity of the bason, and behind the town, is a large piece of ground, 
where all the inhabitants of the town, and their slaves, might be assembled. The 
other side of the mountain is inaccessible, or might be easily made so. 
There is also another very singular advantage in the most elevated part of the 
mountain, behind the town; as at the spot called la Pouce , there is a considerable 
space covered with large trees, from whence two or three small streams of very fine 
water issue forth. It is impossible to attain that height but by a very difficult path: 
several attempts have indeed been made, by employing gunpowder, to gain a 
communication by it into the interior part of the island; but the opposite side of 
these mountains presents a most frightful declivity, which Negroes and monkies are 
alone capable of ascending. Four hundred men in this post, with a sufficient quan¬ 
tity of provisions, could never be reduced by force of arms, and the whole garrison 
