On the Physical Aspect of the South Sea Islands, and the supposed Origin of their Inhabitants.
Introductory Remarks on the Extent and Importance of the Subject-The geographical Position of the Islands to be described-The Effect of civilized Life on the external Qualities of Nature-The Import of the Term Polynesia-The various Clusters of Islands specified-Melanesia, a Name which has reference to the Colour of the Inhabitants-Geological Structure of the several Islands-Their volcanic Origin-The Natural History of Coral Reefs-The Extent to which the saxigenous Polypes contribute in their Formation -Opinion of Mr Forster-Distinction between High and Low Islands, or Mountainous and Hilly-Both Classes surrounded by a coral Belt-Owe their Origin to the same physical Causes-Mode and Rate of Operation by the Animalcules considered-Extraction of the several Classes of Inhabitants -Opinions of Reland, Crawfurd, Zuniga, Ellis, and LangConsiderations as to Language, Manners, and Antiquities.
UNTIL very lately the islands of the Great Southern CHAP. I. Ocean were hardly known to Europeans in any other Earliest aclight than that of maritime romance; the scene on which counts of Polynesia. some of our most renowned seamen performed their part as discoverers, and where they attempted to introduce the benefits of civilisation among a new people. From their reports, at first somewhat deficient in accuracy, it was gradually made known that certain green spots on the bosom of the Pacific were occasionally visited by the