line Islands. 4th. The Feejee Islands. 5th. The Tonga or Friendly Isl ands. 6th. Navigator's or Samoa Islands. 7th. Cook's, or the Hervey Islands. 8th. The Society, Georgian, and Low Islands. 9th. The Austral Isles. 10th. The Marquesas and Washington Islands. 11th. The Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands. 12th. The Kermadec Isles; and 13th. The scattered and isolated islands. Having described the general charac teristics of Polynesia, we will proceed to a brief notice of the several divisions: 1. THE BONIN ISLANDS Form a group 89 in number, lying between 240 and 30° north latitude, 140° and 150° east longitude. On some of these Japanese and British subjects have settled, who carry on a contraband trade with Japan, or engage in the whale fishery. East of this group are scattered the islands of Magellan's Archipelago, and south-east are a number of volcanic islands. 2. THE LADROne, or marian ISLANDS. This group lies between 120 and 21° north latitude, and 144° and 148° east longitude. They belong to the Spanish government of the Philippines; but only the five southernmost are inhabited. They are of volcanic origin, but contain many fertile valleys. Include the Pelew, Ralick, Radick, and Marshall's Islands, extending from 133° to 173° east longitude, and from 30 to 17° north latitude. They are classed into 46 groups, including several hundred isles and islets. Their productions are generally the same as the other islands of Polynesia, except that bread fruit abounds only in the eastern portion. They are much exposed to tempests and hurricanes; many of them are hilly and fertile, and great numbers, especially at the east and south-east, are of the coral formation-low, and reefy. The inhabitants are described as the most courteous, and least vicious, of all the islanders of Polynesia. 4. THE FEEJEE ISLANDS Are situated between 15° and 20° south latitude, and the meridian of 180° passes through the centre of the group. They consist of two large, two small, and fifteen smaller, besides numerous islets and coral rocks. The principal islands are inhabited by a race of negroes, resembling the Haraforos of Malaysia. They are somewhat civilized, but nevertheless fond of war, perfidious, ferocious, and habitual cannibals. To gratify their relish for human flesh, they will fight, murder, kidnap, and, it is said, actually rob the grave. The several islands are divided into petty states, which are continually at war with each other. The total population is perhaps 50,000. 5. THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS Tonga, or Are numerous, but only four are of any considerable size. Tongatabou, the largest, is about 100 miles in circumference, low, but of good soil, and fruitful. The inhabitants are of a dark brown complexion, and exceedingly well-formed, but ferocious, and treacherous in their habits, wherever they have the power; notwithstanding, their demeanor towards Capt. Cook was so affable as to induce him to give to the islands the name they now bear. Population about 60,000. 6. THE NAVIGATORS' ISLANDS Lie north-east of the Feejee and the Friendly Islands, the parallel of 14° south, and the meridian of 170° west, passing through the centre of the group. They are eight in number: mountainous, and may be seen at a distance of 60 or 70 miles. The mountains are clothed with forests, and the valleys beautiful and fertile; in one ofthe mountains is the crater of an extinct volThe inhabitants are of colossal stature, finely-formed, and of light complexion, but as barbarous as their neighbors. The largest of this group is 350 miles in circumference. Population of the group, probably, 100,000. cano. 7.-COOK'S OR HERVEY ISLANDS, Lie between 180 and 23° south latitude, and 160° west longitude. They are seven in number, but of little importance. The largest is 30 miles in circumference, mountainous, and surrounded with reefs. Through the influence of Christian Missionaries, the inhabitants have made considerable advancement in civilization. 8. THE SOCIETY: ST. GEORGE's or GEORGIAN, AND LOW ISLANDS, Form an extensive group, situated between 14° and 25° south latitude, and 134° and 157° west longitude. The western portion embraces the Society, the central the Georgian, and the eastern the Low Islands, including the Dangerous Archipelago. Otaheite, one of the Society Islands, and the largest of the whole, is about 140 miles in circumference; it is formed of two peninsulas, connected by a narrow neck, and each rising gradually from the shore to mountain peaks in the centre, 6,000 or 7,000 feet above the level of the sea. The highest summit contains a lake of yellow water, and is evidently the crater of an extinct volcano. The valleys and intervening ridges are clothed with forests and verdure, producing all the usual fruits of the climate. The inhabitants are above the middle height, of a clear copper complexion; and the chiefs and women of the higher class are tall and well-formed, the latter with soft and delicate skin, black and expressive eyes, white and regular teeth, jet black hair, which they generally ornament with flowers; and an easy, graceful gait. Yet, notwithstanding that they have been much Christianized, and taught to a considerable degree the elements of a literary education, their modes of life have been but little improved or altered since their first discovery. The Otaheitans amount to about 20,000, under the religious care of eight Missionaries. In 1842, the French flag was hoisted on this island, but it has since been declared to be a native sovereignty, and restored to its rights. The other islands composing the Society and Georgian group are similar in character, but less important as to size. They are all mountainous and volcanic. The Low Islands consist of a few hilly islands, and 70 or 80 groups of islets, inclosing lagoons, besides numerous reefs of coral, scarce above water, forming the Dangerous Archipelago. Consist of a long chain, extending away south of the Society and Low line Islands. 4th. The Feejee Islands. 5th. The T 1. THE BONIN ISI Form a group 89 in number, lying betwe 140° and 150° east longitude. On some subjects have settled, who carry on a co gage in the whale fishery. East of this Magellan's Archipelago, and south-east 2. THE LADRONE, This group lies between 120 and east longitude. They belong to t pines; but only the five southernm origin, but contain many fertile v 3.-TIL Include the Pelew, Ralick, up. They are about 6,000 and picturesque, scades from the at 9° 30′ south latil and finely formed, and immodest in conis a very light copper . them, and sometimes urse they are open and drink the blood of their ds also, but relinquished WICH ISLANDS, and 220 N. latitude, and 155° the largest island in the group, at 100 miles long, by 70 or 80 t contains three lofty volcanic an in the known world. The ⚫ set, and all exhibit numerous small -eet a vast plain stretches out <r, above which rise eleven peaks the most interesting of this vast - ul other volcanoes; it is situated eet above the sea, and forms a vast deep, with almost perpendicular ned scoriæ, intermixed with earth - effervescent, boiling, spouting and :s of the sea in a storm, and dashing sits cauldron. At the south-west , to which the Hawaiians used to nu where they made their offerings to repot. This exhibits a most frightincessantly changing its level, sometimes broken masses of cooled crust, to a side, sly back with a terrific noise. Around are gs in every variety of form and combination; red precipices of numerous layers, there all dis In extent, grandeur and intensity of action, volcanoes. In 1787 the first recorded eruption Jane, 1840, the molten lava streamed down its for three weeks, attended with earthquakes, ere for a hundred miles around. group are hilly and mountainous, and exentre and volcanic sterility. The soil is gesund fulfil, producing yams, taro, sweet potatoes, sono, turmeric, ginger, cotton, and Sad West India fruits and vegetables. The Can an die Vissiry Herald, July, 1841. hiefs and women of the higher d obesity, which is regarded as by excessive gluttony. Their k, the people of these islands were those of the other islands, but the at efforts among them, and by the inbits of civilization, have done much to egradation, although they are as yet by missionaries have reduced their language slations of the bible in their own tongue; ss, and issue a periodical journal called the fill with religious, historical and other matter, ple. Yet it is doubtful whether the pure race ect civilization; indeed, the same effect which a seems to produce on all savage races, viz: the er, is visible here. In 1832 the population of the 29,814-in 1836 it was reduced to 108,302, showing Is of 21,421; and a consequent approach to extincid than gradual. island of Oahu, is the seat of government and trade. In the hands of the Americans, and is directed chiefly to America. 12. THE KERMADEC ISLANDS, of the small inhabited islands, and a number of desert islets uated in latitude 30° S., about midway between the Friendly 1 New Zealand. 13. THE SCATTERED ISLANDS. e are numerous, and are found in almost every portion of the Pacific They partake of the general characteristics of those already Ded, both in formation and people; and possess no peculiarities worthy special note. Pitcairn Island, celebrated as the spot where some of mutineers of the Bounty took refuge and established a colony in 1789, only three miles in length by one in breadth; it is volcanic, but has a good soil. Its village, named Adamstown, on the north side, is in latitude 25° 4' S., and longitude 130° 16′ W. To the westward of the Sandwich Islands extends a long chain of scattered islets and rocks, in the following_order: Bird's Isle; Necker; Basse Française; Gardner; Two Brothers Rock; Maro Reef; Laysan; Lisianski; Philadelphia; Pearl and Hermes Bank; Cure; Byers; Patrocinio; Morell; Roco de Plata Crespo; Roco de Oro of the Spaniards; Roco de Oro or Lot's Wife; Colunas; Ganges; Week's Reef; Krusenstern Rock, to the south-west of Laysan; and Mellish Bank, north of Byers. Betwe Frie 's Islands and the New Hebrides on the west; the Feejee, tor's islands, on the south; the Society, Low Islands, e south-east; and the Sandwich Islands on the north, mentioned: Howland, Arthur, Kemin's, Jervis, Birney, uke of York's, Duke of Clarence's, Solitaria, Danger or Alexander I., Humphrey, Suvarof, Peregrino, Penrhyn, ne, New-York, Starbuck, Volunteer, Maldon, Brook 3, Palmyra, Washington, Fanning, Walker's, Smith's. Islands, and may, perhaps, be considered a part of the same group. They are high and fertile. 10. THE MARQUESAS, OR WASHINGTON ISLANDS, Are of the mountainous class, and some of their elevations are about 6,000 feet above the sea. The valleys are extremely fruitful and picturesque, watered by numerous streams, and enlivened by cascades from the craggy hill-sides. The centre of the group lies in about 9° 30′ south latitude, and 139° 30′ west longitude. The men are tall and finely formed, but the women are described as inferior, ill-formed, and immodest in conduct, but of handsome features. The complexion is a very light copper color, but the practice of tattooing is common with them, and sometimes completely covers the face. In ordinary intercourse they are open and friendly, but in war brutally ferocious, and eagerly drink the blood of their enemies. France took possession of these islands also, but relinquished them again to the natives. 11.—THE HAWAIIAN, OR SANDWICH ISLANDS, Are a group of thirteen, situated between 19° and 22° N. latitude, and 155° and 1600 W. longitude. Owhy hee, or Hawaii, the largest island in the group, and indeed the largest in Polynesia, is about 100 miles long, by 70 or 80 broad, forming an irregular triangle. It contains three lofty volcanic mountains, besides the largest active volcano in the known world. The highest elevation of the three is 13,764 feet, and all exhibit numerous small dormant craters; at the height of 12,700 feet a vast plain stretches out covered with sand, gravel, stones and scoriæ, above which rise eleven peaks forming the summits of mountains; but the most interesting of this vast volcanic field is the Kiluea, differing from all other volcanoes; it is situated at the base of Mouna-roa, about 3,800 feet above the sea, and forms a vast pit of an irregular oval shape 1,000 feet deep, with almost perpendicular sides. "The bottom consists of half cooled scoriæ, intermixed with earth in igneous fusion, and gases, constantly effervescent, boiling, spouting and rolling in all directions like the waves of the sea in a storm, and dashing like a wind-driven surf against the edges of its cauldron. At the south-west point is the haulemau-mau or great abyss, to which the Hawaiians used to consign the bones of their chiefs, and where they made their offerings to the goddess Pele, who presides over the spot. This exhibits a most frightful area of bubbling red hot lava, incessantly changing its level, sometimes rolling in low, curling waves, with broken masses of cooled crust, to a side, and again turning them furiously back with a terrific noise. Around are blocks of lava, scoriæ and slags, in every variety of form and combination; here forming deep and rugged precipices of numerous layers, there all dispersed, cracked and broken. In extent, grandeur and intensity of action, Kiluea is unrivalled among volcanoes. In 1787 the first recorded eruption occurred; and in May and June, 1840,* the molten lava streamed down its sides to the sea, four miles, for three weeks, attended with earthquakes, and illuming the atmosphere for a hundred miles around. Nearly all the islands of this group are hilly and mountainous, and exhibit the contrast of luxuriant verdure and volcanic sterility. The soil is generally exceedingly rich and fruitful, producing yams, taro, sweet potatoes, plantains, bread fruit, sugar-cane, nono, turmeric, ginger, cotton, and sandal-wood, besides European and West India fruits and vegetables. * Described by Mr. Coan in the Missionary Herald, July, 1841. |