'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎536] (567/582)

536 approach to the harbour of bombay.
parison, it being high at its north-western end, and sloping down
gradually at its south-eastern one. The two islands called the
Great and Little Caringa, within Bombay harbour, next developed
themselves, with the Funnel-hill and the high land of Tull Point,
forming the southern boundary of the entrance to the port, all
remarkable lands, and constantly referred to as sea-marks.
We obtained, by casts of the lead, at intervals of two hours,
from sun-rise until noon, the depths of twenty-four, twenty-two,
and twenty fathoms; and observing then in lat. 19° 0' north, and
long. 72° 31' east, we had the Neat's Tongue bearing due east, dis
tant apparently from twenty-five to thirty miles.
At one p. m . still sailing at the rate of six knots, on an east-
south-east course, the summit of the island of Elephanta, which
is within the harbour of Bombay, began to appear over that
island; and soon afterwards the trees on Malabar point, looking
like, vessels at anchor, for which they were first taken. The
island of Bombay then gradually rose, and white houses appeared
in the back bay, looking like boats under sail, with the lofty flag
staff on the hill of Malabar point. It is said that, when the sum
mit of Elephanta becomes visible from the deck, the light-house
on Coulaba can be perceived from the topsail-yard; and when
the trees of the island of Bombay, and the flag-staff of Malabar
point appear, it may then be seen from the deck.
It was about half-past one o'clock when we just distinguished
the summit of the light-house, rising above the water, a little to the
northward of the northern brow of the Great Caringa. Soon
afterwards, a gun discharged there, announced the appearance of
a ship in sight, which was followed by a flag at Malabar point,
denoting the description of vessel, and marking the quarter from
which she was approaching. The signal of our number being dis
played, was then repeated by the flag-staff at Coulaba, and the
name of the ship was thus speedily made known to the marine
authorities of the Island.