3 
of about eighty-seven leagues. The channel between 
is exceedingly dangerous for ships, on account of 
the rapidity of the current, and an immense bank of 
sand called the Bank of Pracel, which extends nearly 
half across the channel. Notwithstanding this, most 
of our East-India ships pass through it, unless 
forced into other courses by storms. The eastern 
coast of Madagascar, from Cape Itapore, in 25°. 6'. 
latitude, to the Bay of Antongil, runs north north¬ 
east, and south south-west; and from thence to the 
extremity of the island nearly north by west. From 
Cape Itapore, to the country of Caremboule, it ex¬ 
tends westward, forming a quarter of a circle. From 
thence to the mouth of the river Sacabiti, it runs 
north-west, then north by east, and north by west, to 
the seventeenth degree of latitude; and from thence to 
the extremity of the island again, north-east by north. 
The coast is throughout divided by rivers, many of 
them navigable a considerable way up their channels ; 
and the bays and gulfs are numerous, forming excel¬ 
lent roads and harbours. The southern extremity of 
the island was formerly in the possession of the 
French, who were exterminated several times by the 
natives, through their bad conduct and mismanage¬ 
ment. 
This immense island is estimated to contain two 
hundred millions of acres of land, watered, with the 
exception of one or two provinces, by innumerable 
rivers, streams, and torrents, which flow from the 
mountains and hills. Many parts of it are marshy, 
B c 2 
