'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎224] (333/496)

rock, are obliged to scrape a bole in the sand close by the seaside,
from whence they obtain an indifferent supply.
The Murray Islands are three in number, one large and two smaller,
the latter being merely rocks, but the former is situated in latitude 9 54 /
10 7 S., and longitude 111 0 0Y 30" E., and is about twelve or fifteen miles
in circumference, 700 or 800 feet high, and can be seen of a clear day
nine or ten leagues.
It is completely surrounded by a belt of coral reefs, extending some
distance off shore, and rises rather abruptly from the sea, terminating
in a peak towards the centre. From the appearance of the rocks and soil
I should say it was of volcanic origin ; but of this I am not quite certain,
as our stay was too limited to observe with accuracy its geological
structure. The soil appears very fertile, and the whole island is clothed
'with wood and verdure to the very summit. There are no quadrupeds
whatever, except a few miserable lean pariah dogs ; but the trees teem
with innumerable birds, such as doves, pigeons, and paroquettes. One of
the former was shot, whose plumage was of a most delicate cream colour,
with a tinge of pink, and it was certainly one of the most beautiful birds of
the kind I ever saw. Fish are plentiful, and are usually captured with
a long three-pronged spear made of hard wood. Turtle also abound
amongst the reefs—the natives destroying immense numbers for the
sake of the shell, which they form into rude ornaments, and dispose of,
whenever they have an opportunity, for old iron or axes, or other trifling
articles. A trade of some value might be carried on in this single item
alone, and I am only astonished vessels do not visit this spot oftener for
the sake of this traffic. I feel convinced that, if the natives only knew
of its importance, large quantities might soon be collected and kept m
store, and it would not, moreover, be—as it now is—depreciated by the
wretched carvings which almost destroy the beauty of the shell. th e
quality is excellent, the plates being large, thick, and spendiclly niaikeij
and, in its natural state, would no doubt realize a high price.
of
After we had remained on shore a considerable time, we took lea\e
our sable friends, and proceeded on board, followed to the boat by ne j
all the inhabitants, men, women, and children, who really seemed to P a |
with us with regret, for immediately we pushed off from the e ^
many of them rushed into the water and would hold on by the gunv ^
and it was with the utmost difficulty we at last got away from them.
savage called Mahdoo, a man about forty years of age, one of the m