SMALLER LSLANDS NEAR MADAGASCAR 
155 
2 . NOSSI-BI^ 
^^Nossi-Be” (literally Great Island”) is in reality 
a small island, rich in natural beauties, situated in 
the Mozambique Channel. It is only 116 square miles 
in extent, and is close to the north-west coast of Mada¬ 
gascar. The island lies between 13° 10' and 13° 24' S. 
latitude. 
In shape it is an irregular quadrilateral. There are 
considerable bays in the south, east and north; the 
greatest length amounts to 16 miles, the breadth to 
9I miles. Still smaller islands emerge at a greater or 
less distance; thus Nossi-Cumba in the south forms a 
conical mountain mass, which is made use of by the 
Europeans as a summer residence, on account of its 
salubrious air. Further out to sea one perceives Tany 
Kely, an uninhabited islet which serves as a safe asylum 
for the large bats; towards the mainland are seen Nossi- 
Faly and Nossi-Mitsiu, while the island of Sakatia lies 
close to the west coast. 
Nossi-Be is mountainous; the most important eleva¬ 
tions lie in the middle, where Tany Fatsaka rises to 
1600 feet; a second mountain group is found in the 
north, and a third in the south-west, where the granite 
cone of Fokube, covered with dense forest, is 1500 ft. 
in height. 
The geological structure is somewhat complicated, but 
volcanic formations, trachytic and basaltic rocks pre¬ 
dominate. The volcanic cones are all extinct and con¬ 
ceal circular crater lakes, nine in number. Signs of 
former volcanic activity are to be noticed in the hot 
springs on the left bank of the Djabal-river, which were 
discovered in 1849. According to the analysis of Dr. 
Herland they contain lime and sulphur; the water has 
a temperature of iii° F. The mass of Fokube consists 
of a coarse-grained granite, resting on a dark slate whose 
