F. GEOGRAPHY. 1G7 



the globe. The volcanic cones may be traced in a linear di- 

 rection for 600 miles. The islands are remarkable for the 

 absence of coral reefs around them, which is attributed by 

 Dana to the destruction of the zoophytes by the heat pro- 

 duced by marine eruptions. Lieutenant Markham ascended 

 the volcano of Gosowa, on the island of Tauna, and watched 

 an eruption from the edge of the crater. During the inter- 

 vals between the explosions the sheets of liquid fire seemed 

 to flow back to three distinct openings in the bottom of the 

 funnel-shaped crater ; masses of scoria were hurled up verti- 

 cally to a height of 1000 feet. The Melanesian (black, curly- 

 haired) and Polynesian (straight-haired) races appeared to be 

 curiously dovetailed in their distribution throughout the 

 northern portion of these archipelagoes. 13 A , June 15, 

 1872,252. 



MOVEMENTS OF THE RUSSIAN CORVETTE WITJAS. 



The Russian corvette Wifjas, of nine guns, has lately made 

 quite an interesting voyage. She passed from the Bay Isl- 

 ands in Upolu, of the Navigator group, through the middle 

 of the Pacific Ocean, and its many clusters of islands, direct- 

 ly to Nagasaki in Japan, and in her course entered many al- 

 most or entirely unknown bays. Among these was one in 

 New Guinea, where no European had ever been before, and 

 where the inhabitants do not know the use of iron, and are 

 cannibals. Captain Nasimow gave to the bay the name of 

 "Bay of the Grand Duke Constantine." 3 C, November 17, 

 1872. 



VISIT TO NEW GUINEA. 



According to the Sydney Herald, the schooner Surjirise has 

 lately made a visit to the coast of New Guinea, penetrating 

 fifteen miles up the Manoa River. Contrary to the general 

 impression, the natives, who were hitherto supposed to be 

 ferocious in their character and opposed to the visits of 

 strangers, were found to be mild and gentle in disposition. 

 They were of the Malay stock, and had never seen white 

 people before. On the departure of the schooner, under Cap- 

 tain Paget, they exhibited every demonstration of sorrow, 

 the women weeping and the men accompanying the party to 

 a considerable distance. 19 A, March 2, 1872, 187. 



