8o Voyage of the Novara. 



main results of our observations and investigations, wliile 

 referring- the reader for a more detailed specification of our 

 labours to the various special divisions yet to appear. 



The Nicobar Islands, situated right in the most important 

 highway of commerce, which is destined to acquire yet 

 greater importance, so soon as tlie projected opening of the 

 Suez Canal has been carried out, and extending in their 

 general direction from S.S.E. to N.N.W., seem like an ex- 

 tension of the main central mountain-chain of Sumatra, 

 which is prolonged yet further to the northward through the 

 Andaman group, and in its crescent-shaped arrangement, with 

 the convexity towards the westward, corresponds with Cape 

 Negrais in the peninsula of Malacca. If from this Archipel- 

 ago, as a centre, a circle be described of about 1200 nautical 

 miles of radius, it will include the most important commercial 

 cities of India, as well as Ceylon, the majority of the Sunda 

 Islands, and Cochin China. The winds usually prevalent 

 here greatly facilitate the passage of vessels from the adjoin- 

 ing islands and coasts of terra firma, and proportionately 

 enhance the importance of this Archipelago. 



With but few exceptions, the shores of the whole group of 

 islands consist of coral sand, or are fringed with coral banks, 

 which latter extend seaward to a depth of thirty fathoms. 

 In like manner almost all the bays seem to be edged with 

 coral reefs, if indeed they are not actually studded with them. 

 The promontories frequently present cliffs both above and 

 below the level of the ocean, extending a couple of miles into 



