438 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TPwVVEL 



length, is traversed by a fine mountain range whose bare 

 summits reach an altitude of 8500 feet. They are most 

 probably of volcanic origin. The scenery is described by 

 Captain Moresby as grandly picturesque. The sides of 

 the chief peak — !Mount Goodenough — are cultivated to a 

 height of about 2000 feet, and an abundance of mountain 

 torrents dash down its ravines. The natives are clever 

 agriculturists, constructing terraces and l)uilding stone 

 walls four feet or more in height round their gardens — 

 the only instance of the kind known in British New 

 Guinea. 



The Trobriand group lie about 30 miles north of the 

 D'Entrecasteaux Islands. They are low, coral islands, 

 and densely inhabited, the population probalily being not 

 less than 20,000. The natives have undoubtedly a 

 strong admixture of Polynesian blood, and are well 

 disposed. The soil is exceedingly fertile, so much so that 

 the islands have been termed the gardens of British New 

 Guinea. Woodlark Island, though unproductive, is also 

 well populated. 



Before leaving the sul)ject of New Guinea, we may 

 glance for a moment at the conditions the country 

 presents with regard to European administration and 

 settlement. The Dutch portion affords A^arious advan- 

 tages which are not shared by either the British or the 

 German possessions. It is the most easily accessible 

 from the larger centres of civilisation ; has carried on a 

 certain amount of trade with the Malays for three or 

 four centuries ; is in close proximity to the Moluccas, and 

 can be easily served by the same line of steamers ; is 

 only an extension of a vast possession of practically 

 unbroken boundaries ; and, finally, has a coast with few 

 reefs, but a number of good harl^ours. Not only 



