ported. The estimate of the total production of of Australia W. of the 129th meridian; but the gold in 1851-4, was, $230,962,865. The capital is Sydney, at the head of Port Jackson harbor, is well built, and contains a population of 90,000. The most important public buildings are the churches; the Governmenthouse, a very handsome structure; the Ligislative and Executive Council chambers, consisting of a handsome range of stone buildings, with a noble colonade, forming a verandah and balcony; the Custom-house, Public Library, Public Markets, Court-house, and Jail; the new barracks, a large but plain series of buildings, etc. A large area, called Hyde Park, about 2 m. in circuit, is reserved for public purposes, and forms one of the chief attractions of the city; one side of it is appropriated to a botanical garden; the other, extending along the shore, is laid out in walks, terraces, and slopes. The trade of Sydney is very extensive. MELBOURNE, the capital of Victoria, situated at the head of Port Philip, contained in 1850, 1,500 inhabitants, but since the discovery of gold in its vicinity it has largely increased, until it is now estimated at about 72,000. The streets are broad and intersect at right angles. More than half of the houses are built of stone and brick, and none are now allowed to be constructed of wood. Many have fine gardens attached. Some of the public edifices are of handsome construction. The town is simply supplied with water from the Yarra. only settled portion is the S. W. corner, which lies S. of parallel 30°, and W. of the meridian of 120°. The principal river is the Swan River, which is subject to sudden and tremendous floods. The interior is somewhat hilly. In the settled districts the land is of moderate fertility, but in the interior, beyond the sources of the streams, the soil seems to be altogether sterile, and the E. plains, so far as they have been explored, form a perfect desert. Good wheat is grown, also barley, and many of the finer fruits. PERTH, the capital, is on the Swan River, 9 miles above its mouth. TASMANIA OR VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, a large Island S. E. of Australia, is settled mostly by the English. The aborigines have all perished or been removed from the island. The white population in 1848, was about 70,000; 20,450 being convicts. The staple products are wool, grain, cattle, sheep, oil, timber, and potash., Viewing it from the sea, a succession of lofty mountains appear, wooded to their summits. The interior is mountainous, and presents an alternation of hill and dale, with lofty table lands, and extensive valleys and plains, generally thinly wooded but fertile. The country is watered by numerous streams. HOBART TOWN, the capital, is extensive, well laid out, and well built; it is situated on the Derwent river, 20 m. above its junction with the sea. WESTERN AUSTRALIA includes all that portion In 1848 its population was 21,429. ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC. THE Pacific Ocean, extending between the | any other; they publish a newspaper, and have a King (Kameamaha III.) and several English and American ministers, and much progress has been made in Christianity. The surface of the country is mountainous, with many volcanic peaks; Mt. Roa, or Loa, a volcano, is 13,120 ft. high. The climate is salubrious, the mean temperature being 750 Fahrenheit. The soil in the uplands is used for grazing, the valleys produce coffee, sugar, tobacco, cocoa, cotton, arrow root, yams, and sweet potatoes. These islands are a centre of the whaling grounds in the N. Pacific. The LADRONE or MARIAN ISLANDS, in the N. Pacific, are of volcanic origin, well wooded and fertile. They lie between lat. 130° and 21° N., and lon. 1440 and 146° E. About 20 islands belong to this group, but few of which are inhab ited. They have about 10,000 inhabitants. Arctic and Antarctic circles, is the greatest body of water on the globe, extending N. and S. to a distance of 7,980 m., and at the equator about 10,000 m. wide. Its area is estimated at 70,000,000 sq. m. N. of the equator it is called the N. Pacific, and S. of the equator the S. Pacific. This ocean is distinguished for its innumerable small islands, which are most numerous in the tropics, and are of volcanic or coraline formation, yearly increased by the unseen and assiduous labors of the Zoophites, all of singular beauty, and clothed with a rich vegetation. They enjoy a mild climate and are inhabited by various races, many of whom are yet in a state of barbarism. The Pacific was first discovered by Vasco Nunez de Bilboa, in 1513. Its various islands were discovered from time to time by navigators of different nations, the most distinguished of whom was Capt. Cook. The SANDWICH ISLANDS, the most noted in the N. Pacific, consist of about a dozen islands; they lie between lat. 18° 55′ and 22° 20′ N., and lon. 154° 50' and 160° 40′ W. The chief islands are: Hawaii, pop. (1853) 24,452; Mani, pop. 17,664; Atanai, pop. 6,726; Oahu, pop. 19,126; Molokai, pop. 3,607; Ranai, pop. 599; Nihan, pop. 790; a total of 72,964, of which 1,856 were foreigners. Since their discovery the population has decreased. Capt. Cook estimated the population at 400,000; in 1823 it was 140,000; the census of 1832 gave 130,310; and that of 1850, 84,165. This decrease is owing partly to the young men going off in New Britain is about 280 m. long, and from 8 whale ships and not returning, and partly to to 30 m. wide. The land rises with a gentle slope, the prevalence of virulent diseases. Civilization covered with beautiful forests, among which are has made more progress in these islands than | palm groves. The CAROLINE ISLANDS, 30 in number, lie between 60 and 100 N. lat., and 136° and 156° E. lon., and are but little known. The PELEW ISLANDS, 15 or 20 in number, between 6° 54' and 8° 12′ N. lat., and 134° 5' and 136° 40′ E. lon., are mountainous, with beautiful and fertile valleys. These islands are populous, and they are friendly to foreigners. NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, NEW HANOVER, &c.-This group lies between 20 and 6o S. lat. They are low, well wooded, and peopled by a black, woolly-headed race; they use canoes 90 ft. in length, formed out of a single tree. New Ireland, about 200 m. long by 8 to 20 | appearance. It is comparatively thickly inhabited broad, is well peopled, and abounds in tropical by a people who live on vegetable food, fish, and fruits. birds; quadrupeds, even dogs or cats, being un New Hanover, 28 m. long by 12 broad, is also known. The natives are affable, honest, and speak well wooded. a language totally dissimilar to that of the other islands in the Pacific. ADMIRALTY ISLANDS, to the N. W. of New Ireland, are clothed with luxuriant verdure, well cultivated, and peopled by a race who have attained to a high degree of civilization. THE ISLE OF PINES, in 22° 38' S. lat., 167° 25' E. lon., is 42 m. in circumference, and has many beautiful Auracaria pines. The natives are cannibals. THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS, between 200 and 21' S. lat., are low, and highly cultivated. Tongataboo, in 21° 9′ S. lat., 174° 46′ W. long., about 60 miles in circumference, level, and 70 to 80 feet above the sea, is the chief island, and thickly peopled. Almost every individual wants the little finger of one or of both hands, which indicates grief for some deceased person. Idolatry, human immolations, and cannibalism, prevail. Tonga islands present similar features to the preceding. SOLOMON ISLANDS, between 50 and 100 S. lat., and 155 and 160° E. lon., are peopled by a black race who go entirely naked. Little is known of the country, which is covered with dense vegetation. Bougainville's Islands belong to this group. NEW HEBRIDES-Archipelago of the Great Cyclades between 14° 10′ and 20° S. lat., were explored by Cook, in 1774, who gave them their name. They are generally mountainous, well wooded and watered. The largest, Terra del Espiritu Santu, was supposed, when discovered by Quiros, in 1606, to be part of a great southern continent. It is 70 m. long by 40 m. broad, sloping on the N. coast, but on the E. side exceedingly high and mountainous; in many places the hills rise directly from the sea, clothed with verdure and forests; the small islets skirting the coast are clothed, as in other parts of Polynesia, with palmiferous vegetation. In many of the islands there is a fine race; but at Mallicollo they are described by Cook as the most ugly, ill-produce; the inhabitants, of a bright brown, like proportioned people he ever met with, having long heads, flat faces, and ape-like countenances. Pigs and poultry abound; yams grow to a great size, and sometimes weigh 50 lbs. NEW CALEDONIA, lying between 19° 37′ and 22° 30′ S. lat., and 163° 37′ to 167° 14′ E. lon., is 240 m. long by 30 m. broad; in general, mountainous, flat to the N. E., and a bleak and barren NAVAGATOR'S ISLANDS, between 160° and 170° W. long., are in some instances lofty, of great fertility, and populous; the men are powerful and quarrelsome, the woman graceful and profligate. THE MARQUESAS, in 8° to 10' S. lat., and 1390 and 1400 W. long., have a bold and rugged aspect; the land high, and of volcanic origin. The level districts yield, in abundance, tropical the natives of Malabar, exhibit perfect symmetry of form, with regular features, fine black eyes, good teeth, and a frank and open countenance. THE SOCIETY ISLANDS, are an extensive group between 150 and 23° S. lat.; the scenery is described by Cook, Ellis, and others, as of the most magnificent description it has a fertile soil and luxuriant vegetation, matured by the genial heat |