'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎211] (320/496)

they call, which can be obtained at moderate prices. I am surprised that
advantage is not more frequently taken of this useful and thriving little
colony, lying as they do in the track of ships homeward from, and out
ward bound to, China, Manilla, and Java. Prior to Mr. Ross’s settle
ment on this cluster of islets, they were quite uninhabited, and were but
little known to the navigator; and to this day even are rarely visited:
it is, however, to be hoped that such enterprize may ultimately be
crowned with success.
The Islands are purely of a coraline formation, and are very low,—
elevated only a few feet above the sea, surrounded by reefs rising like
a wall from an unfathomable depth, with many gaps or passages between,
where a vessel might enter and find safe anchorage amongst the
numerous lagoons within. They are all covered with a variety of trees,
but the cocoanut-palm, (as similar in the Maldives) mostly abounds.
They are just within the influence of the S. E. trade, so that the climate,
from this cause, is rendered mild and healthy; the thermometer scarcely
rises above 84°, and rarely falling below 75°.
The information which I have above detailed was principally derived
from some of the oflicers of the H. C. Sloop-of-War Coote, who visited
this interesting colony in the year 1831; and my now referring to it, I
trust will not be thought out of place.
For several days after quitting Ceylon, we experienced light variable
airs, with calms, and a current setting to the southward and eastward, at
the rate of twenty-four miles per diem; nothing worthy of notice occur-
ing till the 4th of April, when we were enlivened by the sight of a
most glowing sunset,—such an one as Claude Lorraine would like to have
feasted on. It had continued a calm the whole day, and the sea was
unruffled and still as water in a crystal vase, the vessel resting on its
mirror-like surface without any perceptible motion. The sun, as it sunk
beneath the horizon, cast its retiring rays on the large massy clouds
which hung floating on its verge, reflecting back the most brilliant tints,
and exhibiting, at the same time, the most picturesque forms : not only
were baronial castles with their battlements rising out of a forest of pur
ple and silver-tinted trees plainly seen, but even ships, abbeys, monas
tic buildings, delapidated towers, and gorgeous palaces, with colonnades
of burnished gold, could also be depicted to our somewhat fanciful ima
gination ; and as the glorious luminary wholly disappeared, it shot
forth diverging rays of red, orange, violet, and pink, reaching to the