Sunda, and is 650 miles in length. It is almost wholly volcanic, and is mountainous throughout its whole length: the northern coast is low and marshy, and the southern rocky and precipitous. The climate in the low parts is very unhealthy; the soil is exceedingly fertile, producing sugar, coffee, rice, pepper, spices, indigo, cotton, and fruits. In no part of the world is vegetation more luxuriant. A great portion of the island is under the government of the Dutch; but the southern extremity, which is in the possession of the natives, contains the two native states of Jogo-Karta and Solo-Karto, fragments of the empire of Mataram, which formerly held sway over the greater part of Java. The first is supposed to contain 1,000,000 of subjects, and the latter 700,000. The two capitals bearing the same name with the kingdoms, are each estimated to contain 100,000 inhabitants. The whole population of the island is about 6,000,000.

Batavia, the capital, was formerly a large and magnificent city, but is now much decayed. It is built on a low spot, and the streets are traversed by canals, in the manner of the cities of Holland. It has long been famed for its unhealthiness, yet it still enjoys a large commerce, and contains 60,000 inhabitants. The other chief towns are Sourabaya, Cheribon, and Samarang. Bantam was formerly an important place, but is now decayed. Java has been divided into twenty districts or residences, including the island of Madura, which forms one of them. The latter is governed by three native princes, under the control of the Dutch. The people of this island profess the Hindoo religion.

Eastwards from Java extends a range of islands, of which they seem almost a continuation; they are Bally, Lombock, Sumbawa, Jeendana, Mangeray, Floris, Sabrao, Solor, Lomblem, Pantar, Ombay, Wetter, and Timor; the last is held jointly in possession by the Dutch and Portuguese. Coepang is the principal settlement of the first, and Deily of the last. Sumbawa contains the kingdom of Bima, tributary to the Dutch, also an active volcano, which, in 1815, committed dreadful ravages.

Borneo is, next to Australia, the largest island in the world, being between 800 and 900 miles in length, and 700 in breadth. it is well gifted by nature, and though directly under the equator, the mountains of the interior, 8000 feet high, giving rise to numerous streams, entirely secure it from aridity. Its products are rice, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, &c. Gold and diamonds are found in abundance. The inhabitants of the coasts are Malays, Javanese, and Bugis or natives of Celebes, all of whom are Mahometans. The interior is divided between independent tribes, between whom and the people of the coast, there is constant war. Population supposed to be about 500,000. The principal trade is at Benjar Massin, a port of 6000 or 7000 inhabitants, the capital of a kingdom under the control of the Dutch. Borneo, the capital of a state which, during its greatness, gave its name to the whole island, is now much decayed, but still contains 10 or 12,000 inhabitants. Succadana, Pontiana, &c. are places of some trade; the latter with 5000 inhabitants.

Eastward of the coast of Borneo, extends the Sooloo archipelago, containing 27 islands, with an estimated population of 300,000 inhabitants, and who are all devoted to piracy; and from 300 to 400 vessels, whose crews amount to 10,000 men, are continually issuing forth in this fierce and perilous occupation; the Sooloos are the Algerines of the eastern seas.

Celebes lies east of Borneo; it is very irregular in shape, and contains 55,000 square miles. It is mountainous, with several volcanoes. The inhabitants are active, industrious, and robust, and are madly devoted to games of chance. The population is reckoned at 1,000,000, who are mostly of the Mahometan faith. The government is an elective monarchy, the real power being in the hands of the hereditary chiefs. The Maccassars and Bugis are the two principal races, the latter are at present the rulers; those of Boney are the most warlike, and those of Wagoo the most commercial. Maccassar is a city and territory at the south end of the island in the possession of the Dutch. The soil is very fertile, producing rice, cotton, cloves, nutmegs, sago, ebony, &c.

The Moluccas or Spice islands were originally the small islands of Ternate, Tidor, Motir, Machian, and Batchian, lying off the west coast of Gilolo, but they

now include the latter, together with Oby, Ceram, Amboy na, Booro, and the Banda isles; they derive celebrity from producing the precious commodities of cloves, nutmegs, and mace. Gilolo, called also Almaheira, is the largest of the group, and presents the usual spectacle in these regions, of a rude people governed by a number of turbulent chieftains. Ceram is mostly under the power of a single prince, who is tributary to the Dutch. Amboyna is the chief European settlement, and is the only island where, until lately, the clove was permitted to be raised. The town of Amboyna contains 7000 inhabitants.

The Philippine islands form an extensive group of two large and nine small islands, situated north-east of Borneo. Few countries are more favoured as to soil and climate. Though placed but little north of the equator, the height of the mountains and the ocean breezes preserve them from suffering under any severe or scorching heat. They produce most of the staple tropical articles, sugar, rice, tobacco, coffee, cinnamon, &c. The largest of this group are Luzon and Mindanao: the others are Samar, Negros, Leyte, Mindoro, Panay, Bohol, Zebu, Masbate, and Burlos. The islands belong to Spain; the great majority, however, of the inhabitants are of the native races, of which the most improved are the Tagalas; another is the Bisayans; there are also in the interior of the larger islands a considerable number of negroes of the Papuan race. Manilla is the capital of Luzon and of the whole group, and contains, with its suburbs, 180,000 inhabitants. Its imports and exports are each about 1,000,000 dollars annually.

The Cocos, or Keeling islands, are several small islands lying in the usual track of American and European ships to China; they are about 700 miles south-west from the western entrance of the straits of Sunda, and have lately been taken possession of by two English gentlemen, who intend, by the introduction of labourers, to cultivate and render them productive. The climate, though warm, is salubrious, and the water good and abundant. The chief native product is the cocoa-nut, which abounds in great profusion. Many plants, fruits, &c. suitable to the climate have been introduced, and found to succeed well.

AUSTRALASIA.

AUSTRALASIA, or Central Oceanica, comprises Australia or New Holland, Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, Papua or New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Solomon's Archipelago, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, &c. Of these, Australia is by far the most extensive, attaining even to the importance of a continent. Although nothing but vague conjecture can be resorted to in estimating the numerical amount of the inhabitants of this region, they have, notwithstanding, been reckoned at from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000, and most probably do not exceed the first stated amount. The area is generally estimated at about 3,500,000 square miles. Australia, formerly New Holland, the largest island in the world, extends from 10° to 39° S. lat., and from 113° to 153° E. lon. It is 2600 miles in length, and contains 3,000,000 square miles. The whole island is claimed by the British government, who have named it Australia, and laid it off into two great divisions, the separating line of which is the 135° of longitude east from Greenwich. The western division retains the old name, New Holland, and the eastern is called New South Wales. In the south-east part of this division is the settlement founded in 1787, and commonly known as the Botany Bay Colony, to which great numbers of criminals have been banished from Great Britain. Here they labour during the term for which they were sentenced, on the expiration of which they may commence for themselves. Many have become virtuous and useful citizens, and some have even acquired a respectable competency.

The colony extends along the coast about 300 miles, and is divided into nineteen counties, containing several small towns. The capital, Sidney, has a fine situation, a good harbour, and a population of about 15,000. In 1833, 194 vessels, equal to 42,857 tons, arrived at Sidney; and in the same year the imports of the

colony were to the amount of 713,9727.; exports, 394,8017., of which wool is the main article.

About 70 or 80 miles in the interior, a range of heights called the Blue Mountains run parallel to the coast, giving rise on the east side to all the rivers which water the colony, and on the west to several which flow into the interior. Of these, the Macquarie, Lachlan, and Morumbidgee, appear to be the chief. The last falls into the Murray, the united waters of which are 1000 miles in length, and flow into the ocean through a shallow lake called Alexandrina, near the Gulf of St. Vincent, on the south-west coast. The Murray is by far the most considerable river yet discovered in this region, and will probably in time become of importance.

The aborigines of Australia belong to the class of Papuas or Oriental Negroes. They are very rude and degraded. The state of nature is among them complete. There is no society, no government, no laws, and each man acts according to his own fancy and caprice. Those on the coast live mostly by fishing, and those in the interior on roots, berries, grubs, worms, and occasionally on squirrels, kangaroos, &c.

Brisbane, on Moreton Bay, and about 450 miles north from Sidney, has been selected as a penal settlement to which convicts are sent who have been found guilty of crimes committed in the colony, and sentenced to seven years' hard labour.

A settlement was commenced in 1829, on the west coast, at Swan River, called the Colony of Western Australia. The country is rather dry and sandy, but is considered favourable for rearing cattle. Population, about 3,000. Several small towns have been laid off, which are Freemantle, Perth, Guilford, Peel, &c. South-east of the above, at King George's Sound, is the small settlement of Albany eight or nine hundred miles east of this, in the vicinity of the Gulf of St. Vincent, the colony of Southern Australia has been projected, and a country of 400,000 square miles appropriated for it. The lands are to be sold at public sale, and the proceeds applied to the conveying of settlers to the colony. It is believed, however, that no actual settlement has yet taken place.

Van Diemen's Land, or Tasmania, is an island lying to the south of Australia, from which it is separated by Bass's Strait. It is about 200 miles in length and 150 in breadth, with an area of 27,192 square miles. It is in some places mountainous and well watered, and contains much good soil. A settlement was established here in 1804. It continued until 1825 an appendage to New South Wales, but has now a separate government. The colony is in a flourishing state. Its imports, in 1834, were 471,2331.; of exports, 203,2231. Population, in 1835, 32,824, of whom about one third were convicts. It is divided into 35 counties. The chief towns are Hobart Town, Elizabeth Town, Macquarie Town, Launceston, George Town, &c. The first is the capital. Population, 13,000.

New Zealand comprises three islands lying to the south-east of Australia, containing about 63,000 square miles. The two largest of them are separated from each other by Cook's Strait; and the southernmost and smallest, from the middle island, by Foveaux Strait. Ranges of mountains extend through both the larger islands, and rise in some cases to the height of 12,000 or 14,000 feet. The soil, where level, is very fertile. The products are maize, yams, potatoes, and a species of very strong flax, highly serviceable for clothing, cordage, &c. The natives are a finely formed race of savages, but very warlike and ferocious. They eat their enemies when taken in war, and even sometimes feast upon their slaves. In the northern island, missionary labours were commenced in 1815: there are several stations, at which 300 or 400 New Zealand youth are receiving instruction. The natives in the vicinity of the missions are beginning to cultivate the soil in a regular manner; to breed cattle; and are also acquiring a taste for European clothing and comforts. The introduction of fire-arms has had the effect of diminishing their wars, in consequence of the strong and the weak being brought more nearly to an equality than formerly. The natives of these islands have in many instances been employed on board of whaling and other vessels, and found to be tractable and serviceable. Some of them have likewise been em

ployed as labourers at Sidney, and are much esteemed, having no propensity for spirituous liquors.

Papua, or New Guinea, lies north of Australia, and is 1200 miles in length. It is believed to be one of the most fertile countries in the world, and as yet almost unknown. The few navigators who have sailed along its coasts have observed ranges of mountains swelling behind each other, their summits rising in the most picturesque and varied forms, and clothed with immense pine forests. The population consists of the Papuan or Oriental negroes, rather more advanced than those of New Holland, mingled with the still ruder race of the Haraforas, who inhabit the interior mountains. The inhabitants of Borneo and Celebes often make inroads upon the people and carry them off as slaves. Louisiade, lying south of New Guinea, formerly supposed to be a single island, consists of a number of islands of various sizes, inhabited by a rude and warlike people.

South-eastward of New Guinea various groups of islands extend for a great distance, arranged almost in the shape of a bow, the population of which is divided between the two great races, the Papuan or Oriental negro, little, ugly, and black, and the Malay, taller, of a dingy brown colour, and of more pleasing features. These islands exhibit only varieties of the most savage forms of social existence, and they are all but imperfectly known to the civilized world.

New Britain, New Ireland, New Hanover, &c., have a fertile soil, and are well peopled. The natives of New Ireland are a very warlike race, and are said to have canoes 80 feet long, formed out of a single tree. Solomon's Archipelago comprises a number of islands of various dimensions, of which those called New Georgia are extensive. The inhabitants are warlike; they appear to be under the control of an absolute prince, and are said to be cannibals.

The New Hebrides consist of numerous clusters of islands which are covered with high mountains, some of which are volcanic. The soil is extremely fertile and finely watered by numerous rivulets. The inhabitants have been estimated at 200,000, divided into different tribes, who are almost at perpetual war with each other.

New Caledonia is the most southern of the group of islands extending from New Guinea. It is traversed by a range of mountains of considerable elevation. The soil is not so fertile as some of the other islands. The population, which is almost wholly confined to the coast, is reckoned at from 30,000 to 50,000.

Norfolk Island, about 1000 miles from Sidney, and 400 north-west from New Zealand, is a penal settlement, to which convicts are sent who have been found guilty of crimes committed in New South Wales, and sentenced to hard labour for life or for a long period. The number here is 500; the whole population being about 800, including the military, &c. The soil is fertile, and the climate similar to that of Portugal.

A little to the north-east of New Georgia are found the Massacre Islands, so named by their discoverer, Captain Morrell, of New York. They are a group of small low islands inhabited by cannibals, who are a large muscular race of men, very active, and nearly as dark-skinned as Africans. They are well armed, cunning, and treacherous, and succeeded in killing and devouring fourteen of Captain Morrell's crew. They took one of them prisoner, who remained 15 weeks among the savages, and, on a second visit of Captain Morrell, succeeded in rejoining him, after enduring the most painful sufferings. The islands are well wooded, and abound in the usual productions of these regions.

POLYNESIA.

POLYNESIA, signifying the many isles, or Eastern Oceanica, is the name now generally given to the numerous groups of islands with which a great part of the Pacific Ocean is studded. While the islands composing Australasia are of such magnitude as to approach the character of continents, those of Polynesia are so small that most of them can scarcely aspire above the diminutive appellation of

islets; yet they are so numerous, and follow in such close succession, that they may properly be considered as a region of the globe, bearing a peculiar aspect and character.

This division of Oceanica comprises the Ladrone and Caroline Islands, and those of the Central Archipelago; also the Sandwich, Marquesas, or Washington, Society, Georgian, Pearl, and Palliser's islands, together with the Friendly, the Austral, and Hervey's islands, besides many other small groups and scattered islands. The population of this region has never been estimated except by the most uncertain conjectures. Those formed by Cook and other navigators would lead to the belief that 1,500,000 might probably be about the amount, but more recent observations, particularly those of the Missionaries, leave no doubt that this number is greatly exaggerated, and that about 500,000 will be a more accurate approximation.

THE LADRONE, OR MARIAN ISLANDS.

THESE islands lie north of the Carolines, and were the first known of the islands in this region, having been discovered by Magellan, in 1512. They are covered for the most part with the rich vegetation peculiar to this climate, and have been highly extolled by some navigators as forming almost a paradise. The original inhabitants have been nearly exterminated in their wars with the Spaniards, who endeavoured to impose on them their yoke and religion. The climate is mild and healthful, though, like the Carolines, subject to violent hurricanes. The people of the Ladrone Islands possess canoes which are the admiration of sailors, being so skilfully constructed as to sail, with a side wind, 20 miles an hour.

THE CAROLINE ISLANDS.

THE CAROLINE ISLANDS form an extensive and numerous group on the north side of the Equator; they extend, from east to west, upwards of 30 degrees of longitude, and are among the most imperfectly known of any islands in the Pacific Ocean, and are situated in a most tempestuous ocean, exposed to frequent hurricanes, some of which often sweep away the entire produce of an island, yet the people are still more at home on the waves than even the rest of the South Sea islanders, and are distinguished by their skill in navigation. The greater part of the Caroline Islands are low and of coral formation.

ness.

The Palaos, or Pelew Islands, are the most western group of the Carolines. They are of moderate elevation and well wooded: they became an object of interest in Great Britain by the shipwreck, in 1783, of Captain Wilson, in the Antelope, when he was received and his wants supplied with the most generous kindAbba Thulle, the king, with an enlightened desire to improve his people by a knowledge of the arts and attainments of Europe, sent along with the Captain his son, Prince Le Boo, who delighted the society of the metropolis by the amiable simplicity of his manners; but, unfortunately, he was seized with the small-pox and died. In Captain Wilson's narrative, the Pelew Islanders were represented in the most pleasing colours, but subsequent navigators who have visited these shores, draw a completely opposite picture, representing these people as displaying all the bad qualities incident to savage life.

CENTRAL ARCHIPELAGO.-This name has been applied from their central situation to a number of detached groups, extending to a great distance, chiefly to the south-east from the Caroline Islands, consisting mostly of Mitchell's, Ellices' and De Peyster's groups, the Taswell's Islands, also Gilbert's Archipelago, Scarborough's Range, and the Mulgrave Islands: the two last form a group so closely adjoining on the west to the Carolines, that they can scarcely be considered otherwise than as a branch of that great archipelago. They comprise a vast number of small islands, in many cases mere rocks, of which the western division is termed the Radack, and the eastern the Ralick chain. Nearly all the islands forming the great Central Archipelago are peopled up to the limited resources which nature affords. The natives are generally described as friendly, courteous, and amiable, free from the thievish propensities and dissolute conduct which are