60 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
which the history of the Pacific will occupy in the annals of the world. 
The Australasian Colonies are agitating for the annexation of the islands to 
England, whilst at home deputations have waited upon Ministers in order 
to suggest Imperial action. It may, therefore, be advisable to consider 
their past and present history. 
Geographical Description. 
By the Pacific is meant the central portion of the Pacific Ocean, includ- 
ing all those groups of islands lying within 30° north and south of the 
equator, and stretching eastward from the Pelew Islands to Easter Island. 
This immense area, commonly called Polynesia, is divided by the equator 
into the North and South Pacific, which division may be again best divided 
in Eastern, Central, and Western Polynesia. The names of the principal 
groups of islands contained within these divisions, together with their 
population, area, etc., etc., will be found in Appendix A. * 
Iinclude New Guinea in Polynesia, although it is doubtful to which of 
three divisions it should belong—Malaysia, Australasia, or Polynesia. 
Few persons are much acquainted with this portion of the Pacifie Ocean 
or its extent. Itis only when we are led to consider the present or future 
welfare of the islands which it contains that we find ourselves dealing with 
so vast an area of the earth's surface—something like 20,000,000 square 
miles. + The importance of this fact, it is necessary to remember, for the 
water which separates the various groups of islands contains not only many 
valuable articles of commerce, but, at the same time, is so much a naturally 
prepared highway for future inter-insular commerce. 
Discovery. 
The Pacific Ocean was discovered and formally taken possession of for 
Spain by Vasco Nunez de Balboa, in the year 1518. Crossing the American 
isthmus, he was the first European who gazed upon it. Descending, he 
stepped into its waters, and with drawn sword, and in full armour, took 
possession for his sovereign of all lands and islands the ocean might contain, 
even unto the Poles. In 1520, Magellan, a Portugese, in the Victory, | 
passing through the straits which now bear his name, was the first to sail 
across the Pacifie (so called by him from the tranquility of his voyage 
through it, in comparison with the stormy sea he had encountered at and 
near the straits). Magellan discovered the Ladrone and Philippine Islands. 
* Melanesia and Mieronesia are somewhat indefinite titles given to certain islands 
inhabited by the Papuan, or black, races. Micronesia principally comprises the Gilbert, 
Marshall, and Caroline Islands, amongst which, however, many pure Polynesians are 
found. Melanesia is simply Western Polynesia. 
+ The Pacific Ocean contains a superficial area of 70,000,000 square miles. 
i The Victory performed the first voyage round the world, 
