May 23, 1859.] INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 299 



from this most interesting field of exploration. We know at present 

 but little of the topographical configuration of the country beyond 

 the meagre accounts we have received from the Dutch. The 

 Japanese themselves have, indeed, graphically illustrated some 

 of the most striking features of the natural scenery and customs 

 of their country, and in a manner which shows no small proficiency 

 in art. Ere long the singular scenes around the great volcano of 

 Fusi jama will doubtless be visited by our travellers, as Lord 

 Elgin's treaty secures for the British Consul-General and all gentle- 

 men connected with him the right to visit every part of the 

 empire. 



Let us hope, however, that the intercourse of other nations with 

 this peculiarly ceremonious race— in which woman occupies a 

 higher station than in any other Asiatic country ; where the habits 

 of the people are neat, clean, and orderly; where the laws are 

 short and clear, and where professional lawyers are unknown — may 

 not bring upon these hitherto secluded lands those curses of de- 

 moralization which too often attend upon the influx of a higher 

 civilization. 



Indian Archipelago. — The additions to our knowledge of the Indian 

 Archipelago for the year are confined to two papers, supplied by 

 Mr. Alfred E. Wallace and Mr. John Yeats. These relate to New 

 Guinea, after Borneo the greatest island in the world, and, at 

 the same time, the least known. Both papers furnish the largest 

 and most authentic contributions to our knowledge of this tropical, 

 forest-clad land, little less than double the extent of Britain, 

 and inhabited by austral negroes in a social condition incom- 

 parably lower than that of any of the negro tribes of Eastern or 

 Western Africa ; but, rude as it is, destined, T have no doubt, in 

 time to rise to importance in relation to the adjacent Australian 

 continent, where wool, gold, and British enterprise are rapidly 

 creating a mighty empire. 



Mr. Wallace, who last year furnished us with an authentic 

 and valuable description of the neighbouring and curious group of 

 the Arru Islands, was, as he himself truly observes, the sole 

 European inhabitant, and we may safely add, the sole civilised being, 

 of New Guinea for three months. The researches of this skilful 

 naturalist were necessarily confined to a small portion of the island, 

 Doree, which lies at the western extremity of the great bay which 

 indents its northern coast. Mr. Wallace's paper supplies us with by 

 far the best account of the geology and geography of the place he 



