9 
lake is formed at its mouth, about half a league 
wide, and deep enough for any ship, but its entrance 
is liable to be closed by a sand bank. There are 
many considerable villages on its banks, which be¬ 
long to the chief of the country. The Manghasia 
rises on Mount Siliva, and runs across the bay of 
the same name : it is navigable for many miles. 
Anossi is exceedingly rich and fertile, abounding 
with pastures, cattle, and plantations of corn, rice, 
and fruit-trees. It is surrounded by mountains co¬ 
vered with trees and shrubs, and the whole country 
is diversified with numerous hills and plains. On 
its coast are several peninsulas, with excellent har¬ 
bours and bays; the chief ones are Dauphin Bay, 
and the Bay of Louca, or Itapore : the last is very 
convenient for shipping, which may ride at anchor 
in perfect safety, notwithstanding the entrance is 
rocky and dangerous. The Portuguese formerly 
had a fort on the top of a steep rock, near a vil¬ 
lage, about seven leagues from Fort Dauphin; but 
it was destroyed, and the garrison massacred by the 
natives. 
This country is inhabited by whites and negroes, 
which constitute the seven classes of which we shall 
have occasion to speak hereafter. 
The Vale of Amboule commences at the mouth 
of the river Manampani, in 23°. 30'. latitude. It is 
very rich, and produces esculent plants and fruits 
in abundance. The oxen and cows are extremely 
fat, having the richest pasturage to rove over. The 
