Embraces many large islands, lying in the south Pacific Ocean.
NEW HOLLAND is the largest island in the world, having a greater
extent of surface than the United States. It is at present but little
known. Its native inhabitants are said to approach nearer to the brute
creation than any other savages.
VAN DIEMAN’S LAND is a fertile island, belonging to the British. Of NEW
GUINEA little is known.
NEW BRITAIN and NEW IRELAND have a fertile soil, and produce abundance
of nutmegs. The inhabitants resemble those of New Holland in their
characters. They are exceedingly warlike.