THE ISLAND WORLD OF THE PACIFIC 



' Yet this small area of land presents us with moun- 

 tains 14,000 feet in height ; volcanoes of unrivalled mag- 

 nitude; peaks, crags, and gorges of Alpine boldness. 

 And amid the wildness and grandeur of these scenes, 

 many of which would well aid our conceptions of a world 

 in ruins, the palm, the tree-fern, and other tropical pro- 

 ductions flourish with singular luxuriance. Zoophytes, 

 moreover, spread the sea-bottom near the shores with 

 flowers, and form islands with groves of verdure above, 

 and coral gardens beneath the water. There is no part 

 of the world where rocks, waterfalls, and foliage are 

 displayed in greater variety, or where the sublime and 

 picturesque mingle in stranger combinations. 



' These statements may seem incredible to those who 

 have traversed only the surface of our own land ; yet it 

 will be in some degree comprehended when the agencies 

 that have operated to produce the results are considered : 

 that through every part there has been the volcano to 

 build up mountains, and to shatter again its structures; 

 a vast ocean to surge against exposed shores; rapid de- 

 clivities to give force to descending torrents; besides a 

 climate to favor the coral shrubbery of the ocean, and 

 bury in foliage the most craggy steeps. Under such cir- 

 cumstances, it is not surprising that these ocean lands 

 should be replete with attractions alike to the eye of taste 

 and of science. 



' The waters abound in fish, mollusks, echini, crabs 

 and other forms of Crustacea, asterias or starfish, and the 

 variously colored actinias or sea-flowers; and the fresh 

 waters, although the islands stand isolated in the ocean, 

 have their own species of fish, reptiles, and even Union- 

 idee. Yet with all the profuseness of life, animal and 

 vegetable, it is a little remarkable that, besides bats, a 

 native land quadruped is not known in the whole ocean, 

 though rats and mice from shipping are common every- 

 where. New Zealand, although as large as New Eng- 

 land, cannot boast of a single native species, excepting 

 perhaps a mouse of doubtful origin, and bats which have 

 wings to aid them in migration. 



" It is obvious that the geology of the Pacific islands 

 embraces topics of the widest importance. There are 

 extensive rock formations in progress, proceeding from 

 the waters through the agency of animal life; there are 



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