South of Mombas the general appearance of the coast is low, but not swampy, and well defined, having a sandy shore, and in some places a small intervening cliff of coral. But at some distance appear various insulated mountains of curious ihapea. The bay of Lindy has a flat shore, which is formed by the alluvial deposit brought down by the river Lindy, which appears to be large, and at a distance of about eight miles from its mouth branches into several small channels, forming a complete archipelago of low swampy islets covered with mangroves. A few miles farther south is the river Rowoona, which discharges a vast volume of water.
Opposite this country are the largest islands along the eastern coast of Africa, the islands Pemba, Zanzibar, and Monfeea. The most northern Pemba, or Al Huthera, extends from north to south thirty miles, and from east to west ten miles. It is not in any part more than 200 miles above the sea, and rests on a coral foundation. It is one of the most fertile spots in the world, being covered with a very productive soil, and it abounds in excellent ship-timber: but the largest part of the surface is cultivated, and produces, besides other plants, rice of the finest quality. Zanzibar is nearly twice the size of Pemba, and resembles this island in soil and fertility. Besides every kind of grain which grows between the tropics, it produces great quantities of sugar. There are numerous harbours between Zanzibar and the main, formed by the islands and reefs which are dispersed over the channel which separates it. from the continent, and which is about fifteen miles wide. These harbours are safe, and not difficult of access; but within the shores of Zanzibar there is not one landlocked port. The inhabit ants manufacture from rhinoceros hides great numbers of round shields, about one foot and a half in diameter, for the soldiers of the Imaum of Muskat, who exercises the sovereignty along the greater part of this coast. Monfeea is little known, being surrounded with a labyrinth of shoals and several islets, which render access to it difficult. It seems to be somewhat smaller than Pemba. It rises abruptly from an unfathomable depth, and is based upon a coral foundation. The surface is covered with trees, and it appears to be tolerably well peopled. The channel between the island and the main is about twelve miles across, but so thickly studded with coral shoals as to be impas sable for vessels of any size without considerable danger. Nearly opposite the mouth of tho Mozamba River are the Querimba Islands, a numerous archipelago, low, and formed of coral, with excellent harbours between them.
The year is divided between tho dry and the rainy season. The rains are very abundant, and the rivers swell so an to inundate the adjacent countries for miles. The heat in summer is very great.
The productions known along the coast are rice, millet, peas, beans, melons, pumpkins, the sugarcane, cocoanuts, bananas, plantains, &c.
The forests contain the India-rubber-tree and many large timber-trees. Cattle, mostly of the humped kind, abound. The sheep are of the Tartar breed ; they are very small, but their flesh is delicate and sweet. Fowls are very abundant. The larger wild animals in the interior are the elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, and several kinds of antelopes. The rivers contain hippopotami and crocodiles. Fish are abundant ; there are several kinds of Cowries are collected in great quantities for export.
Zanguebar is partly subject to native princes and partly to the Imaum of Muscat. North of the river Juba the inhabitants are Somauli, and their chiefs appear to be independent. From the river Juba to the Bay of Kwyhoo the Galla have advanced to the shores of the sea, and keep possession of that tract. Tho country between Kwyhoo and Melinda is subject to the Imaum of Muscat. From Melinda to the river Pangany extend the territories of the Sheik or Sultan of Mombas. The remainder of the coast, as far south as Caps Delgado, is again subject to the Imaum of Muscat.
The inhabitants are either tribes of African origin or settlers from other parts of the world. The African tribes are the Somalili, Galls, Dowls, Wanyekas, and Sowbylese. The Somauli are a mild people, living on the produce of their herds and flocks, or the profits of the commerce which they carry on with Arabia and the Red Sea. Along the Indian Sea they inhabit the coast as far as Msgaloxa ; but they are entirely confined to the coast, the whole of the interior being occupied by the Galls., who occupy the southern portions of Abyssinia, and extend southward to the Bay of Kwyhoo. The Gallia are a nomadic people, who ramble about over a at extent of country, and terrify all their neighbours by their warlike disposition, ferocity, and cruelty. They are black, of large stature and athletic make, and wear no dress except a small piece of cloth wrapped round their loins. The Dowlas occupy the country nt the back of Lamoo. They are far mom tractable than the Galls, and the Arabs have uninterrupted commercial intercourse with them. The Wanyekahs inhabit the country surrounding the Bay of Mombas. They seem to have attained a considerable degree of civilisation : some of their towns are large and populous, and strongly defended by a double hedge of thorn-bush and by gates. The Sowhylese occupy nearly all the villages and towns of the coast south of Kwyhoo Bay, and at some places tracts extend ing to a great distance into the interior. They are not so black as the other tribes, but approach in colour and features to the Moors of North Africa. They differ in language, person, and character from the Arabs and the other native Africans. Their language is still spoken from Kwyhoo to Mozambique. They are Mohammedans, and therefore more closely united to the Arabs than the other tribes. They are mostly engaged in agriculture.