194 



AUSTRALIA 



fast disappearing, had reached a fair stage of civilization 

 before the arrival of the white man. 



Pacific Islands. The great bulk of the countless 

 Pacific islands lie within the intra-tropical belt, and 

 therefore enjoy a thoroughly equable, warm, and rainy 

 climate, the outcome of which is a luxuriant forest 

 growth. Palms constitute one of the most common 



- :'. 



" 



Fig. 70. Pineapple Plantation. 



features of these islands. The coco-nut palm, which 

 forms a fringe round most islands, and the sago' palm 

 are the most useful. Yams and colocasias furnish 

 starch-containing roots. The bread-fruit tree and the 

 banana offer an easy and abundant food. Numerous 

 spices are also found, while cultivation can raise the 

 whole range of tropical fruits and produce. Mangrove - 

 swamps occur occasionally on muddy shores. 



