plored. In the year 1841 the American Exploring Expedition visited many of the islands in these seas.

5. The islands of Oceanica are situated principally within the tro pics, and are exposed to a considerable degree of heat. The tempera ture, however, is various. Some of them enjoy a delightful climate, and are among the most favoured and fertile countries on the globe.

6. Nearly all the large islands are elevated. Some contain moun tains of great altitude. Volcanoes are numerous, and occasionally cause dreadful ravages. The smaller islands are low, many of them scarcely rising above the surface of the water, and are often destitute of vegetation and inhabitants: some again are covered with groves of cocoanut and other trees, and are well peopled.

7. Most of the animals found in these islands are similar to those of the south of Asia; but there are several varieties peculiar to this quar. ter. The orang-outang abounds in Borneo, and the Malay tapir in Java and other islands. The kangaroo, emeu, duckbill, and black swan, exist only in Australia.

8. The natives of Oceanica are various in manners, customs, and condition. They consist, for the most part, of two distinct races, the Malays, or brown variety of the human family, and the Papuan, Oriental, or Melanesian Negroes.

9. The Malays are found in different stages of civilization, and comprise two distinct classes, nobles and slaves. Some of them are comparatively improved; others are extremely barbarous, and in many in stances they are cannibals. The people of Polynesia are principally pagans; those of Malaysia are partly Mahomedans and partly pagans.

10. The Papuans constitute a variety of the black race, but are, for the most part, smaller in person, and not so dark in complexion, as the African negrocs. They are generally destitute of clothing or dwellings, often live on the most disgusting food, and are supposed to have no definite ideas of a Supreme Being.

216

MALAYSIA.

1. MALAYSIA derives its name from the Malays, the most numerous people in this region. It is also called the East India Archipelago; and contains the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo, usually called the Sunda Isles, together with the island of Celebes, the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, the Philippine Islands, and some smaller groups.

is said of Captain Cook? What has occurred since his time? In 1841? 5. What is said of the islands, &c.? 6. Larger islands? 7. Animals? 8. Natives of Oceanica? 9. The Malays? 10. Papuans?

Malaysin. Q.-1. What is said of Malaysia? What does it contain?

2. The climate of Malaysia is that of the torrid zone. The soil is productive, and yields in abundance the most exquisite spices and fruits. The clove, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, and pepper, abound; also sugar, coffee, cotton, rice, tobacco, and indigo.

3. The commerce is extensive, and is carried on mostly by Europe. ans and Chinese. The latter, in their uncouth vessels, called junks, trade in great numbers to the different islands. Tripang, sea-slug, and edible birds'-nests, luxuries not in use among Europeans, form import ant articles of the traffic with China, where they bear a high price.

4. The Malays, the prevalent race in this region, are, generally, of a yellowish brown complexion. They are chiefly Mahomedans, and have a strong passion for gambling. Many of the Malays are pirates; they often surprise and capture European and other merchant-vessels. A number of Chinese emigrants have settled in various parts of Malaysia, and are noted for their industrious and quiet habits.

5. SUMATRA, the most western of the Sunda Islands, is nearly equal in extent to our Middle and Eastern States united. It is divided into several petty native kingdoms; and is partly under the dominion of Holland. Some of the interior tribes are cannibals. Among the Bat tas, the punishment of several crimes, by their laws, is to be eaten alive. They also eat the prisoners they take in war.

6. JAVA is a fine fertile island, about three-fourths of which belongs to the Dutch; the remainder of the island is governed by two native princes, the emperor and the sultan. The natives are well acquainted with many arts. They carry on a lucrative trade with the Chinese.

2. What is said of the climate? 3. Comunerce? 4. The Malays 5

7. Batavia is the capital of Java, as well as of all the Dutch posses. sions in the East. It is a great commercial emporium. Samarang is the next important town. Djockokarta is the capital of the emperor's, and Surakarta of the sultan's dominions.

8. Eastward from Java are the Islands of Bally, Sumbawa, Floris, and Timor. Sumbawa is noted for its terrific volcano. Timor belongs jointly to the Dutch and the Portuguese. Banca is noted for its tin.

9. BORNEO is one of the largest islands in the world. It is nearly four times larger than Great Britain. The interior is inhabited by fe. rocious, warlike tribes. Among one of these, the Dyaks, no one is considered a man, or can obtain a wife, until he can show the head of at least, one enemy, as a proof of his prowess. Gold and diamonds are found in Borneo. The principal trade is at Benjarmassin.

10. North-eastward from Borneo are the Sooloo Islands. The people are all noted pirates; they are the Algerines of the eastern seas. Се lebes is a large, irregular-shaped island; the northern part is inhabited by the Bugis, and the southern by the Macassars. The women here mingle freely in all the affairs of life, and are even sometimes called to the throne. The town of Macassar belongs to the Dutch.

11. The SPICE ISLANDS, or MOLUCCAS, produce the precious spices, cloves, nutmegs, and mace. Gilolo, Ceram, Bouro, Banda, and Amboyna, are the principal islands. Nassau, a small town on the island of Neira, is the residence of the Dutch governor.

12. The PHILIPPINE ISLANDS comprise two large and a number of smaller islands. They are rich in natural resources, and furnish many valuable articles of commerce. These islands belong to Spain; but the inhabitants are chiefly of the native races, the Tagalas, Bisayas, &c. Among these nations are several small independent states.

13. MANILLA, on the west side of the island of Luzon, is the capital of all the Spanish colonies in the East, and is a large and flourishing city. It is the centre of an extensive commerce, and its harbour is thronged with European, American, and Chinese vessels.

Map No. 28.-What great circle passes through the middle of Ma laysia? Er.-In what zone is Malaysia? Td. How long is Su matra? Java? Celebes? Luzon? Mindanao? How long and wide is Borneo? What is the population of Sumatra? Java? Borneo? Celebes? Philippine Islands? Manilla? Batavia? Samarang? Acheen? Palambang? What strait separates Sumatra from Malacca? Ma. Sumatra from Java? Sa. Borneo from Celebes? Mr. How wide are the straits of Sunda ?

Sumatra? 6. Java? The natives? 7. Batavia, &c.? 8. Bally, &c ? 9 Borneo, &c. 10. Sooloo Is.? 11. Spice Is.? 12. Philippine Is. ? 13. Manilla?

1. AUSTRALASIA comprises a number of islands lying south-eastward from Malaysia: of these, Australia or new Holland, New Guinea, and New Zealand, are the most extensive. The inhabitants are chiefly Papuan Negroes, and rank among the lowest of the human family.

2. AUSTRALIA, formerly called New Holland, is the largest island in the world. It is now a part of the British Empire. New South Wales, North Australia, South Australia, and West Australia, are its chief divisions. The Blue Mountains are the highest range, and the Murrav the largest river, yet discovered.

3. The aborigines of Australia are very rude and degraded: those in the interior exist on roots, grubs, worms, and what they kill in the chase. Those on the coast live mostly on fishing, yet their canoes are of the rudest description. Some

Native on his Log.

are merely a large piece of bark folded and tied up at each end, and some only a log, on which they sit and guide with their hands.

Australasia. Q. -1. What is said of Australasia? 2. Australia? Its three great divisions, &c.? 3. Describe the aborigines. 4. Botany

4. In the south-east part of Australia is the BOTANY BAY COLONY founded in 1787: to this place many thousand criminals have been transported from Great Britain. The bulk of the population is, how. ever, formed of free settlers: to these the convicts are apportioned as labourers during the period for which they were sentenced.

5. The Colony extends along the coast about 300 miles: it is di vided into counties, and contains several towns. The country is bet ter adapted for grazing than tillage; sheep are abundant, and their wool forms a large part of the exports wheat, Indian corn, and pota toes, are the principal products. Sydney, the capital, has a good har bour, with considerable commerce.

6. In West Australia is the SWAN RIVER COLONY; in which no great improvement has yet taken place. South Australia and Port Philip district, in the south, are flourishing colonies. Adelaide is the chief town of the first named, and Melbourne of the last.

7. VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, or TASMANIA, settled in 1804, is nearly equal in size to South Carolina. The climate of this island is cooler, but the productions are nearly the same as in the other colonies. About one. third of the population are convicts. Hobarton is the capital.

8. NEW ZEALAND comprises two large and one small island. The area of the whole somewhat exceeds that of the State of Virginia. The soil is fertile, and produces Indian-corn, wheat, yams, potatoes, and a species of strong and serviceable flax.

9. The natives are a well-formed race, varying in complexion from a chesnut colour to a dingy white. They were, until recently, very warlike and ferocious, and were all cannibals. Tat. tooing was general, and the faces of the chiefs were almost entirely covered over with figures of various kinds. The New Zealanders make good sailors, and many of them now serve on board merchantmen in that capacity.

10. In the northern island the exertions of the missionaries have produced an important change: 35,000 of the population now profess the gospel, 15,000 are in the schools, and there are 300 native preachers. New Zealand is annexed to the British empire. The towns of Auckland, Wellington, and New Plymouth, all on the northern island, have been founded by British colonists: the first named is the capital.

New Zealand Chief.

11. PAPUA, or NEW GUINEA, is believed to be one of the most fertile countries in the world, but the interior has never been explored. Lou. ISIADE, NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, SOLOMON'S ARCHIPELAGO, the NEW HEBRIDES, and NEW CALEDONIA, occupy the N. E. part of Australasia,

Bay Colony. 5. What is said of it? Country, &c.? Colony? South Australia? 7. Van Diemen's Land? 9. What is said of tattooing? 10. Of Papua, &c.?

6. Swan River 8. New Zealand? Louisiade, &c.?