OCEANICA, OR OCEANIA. 



973 



inhabitants. In their appearance there is a remarkable similarity ; each generally consisting of 

 a higher portion bearing vegetation, a low reef hardly emerged above the sea, and a central 

 lagoon, in some cases entirely, in others nearly, surrounded by coial banks. These islands and 

 reefs, some of which extend for hundreds of miles, are the residence of a little animal by which 

 they are formed, as the shell of many other animals is created ; that is, by the secretion of a 

 calcareous matter from the body of the creature. As soon as the edge of the reef is high 

 enough to lay hold of floating sea-wreck and for birds to perch upon, the island may be said to 

 commence. Seeds are deposited by land birds or by currents, vegetation springs up, and a 

 soil is formed by the deposites of birds and of decaying vegetable matter, and by the crumbling 

 of the coral itself, till man finally comes to take possession of the new creation. Tliese coral 

 banks and islands are seen in all stages of their formation ; some in deep water, others just ap- 

 pearing in some points above the surface ; some already elevated above the sea, but destitute 

 of vegetation ; others with a few weeds on their higher parts, and others again covered with 

 large timber. In some islands, the coral rocks rise to a great height above the water, showing 

 that they must have been raised into the air by volcanic forces, since they were formed beneath 

 the level of the waters. The walls of the interior lagoon also appear to be the lip of a former 

 crater, upon which, as it approached the surface, the little insects began to build ; for these 

 creatures are observed not to inhabit very deep waters. The entrance to the lagoon, then, in- 

 dicates the channel by which the lava formerly flowed out of the caater. 



5. Climate. With the exception of New Zealand and the larger part of New Holland, 

 Oceania lies within the torrid zone ; but it enjoys the advantages of a vertical sun, without be- 

 ing, except in a few cases, subject to the excessive heats of tropical regions. The insular 

 character of the whole region tempers and softens the climate, and mild and balmy breezes 

 almost everywhere fan the land with refreshing airs from the sea. The monsoons prevail in 

 Malaysia, on the north of the equator, blowing from the southwest half the year, and from the 

 northeast the other half, and on the south of the line, half of the year from the southeast, and the 

 remainder from the northwest. Throughout Polynesia the trade-winds prevail, blowing, on 

 the north of the equator from the northeast, and on the south from the southeast. In the 

 southern part of New Holland the variable winds prevail. Most of the islands are like a ter- 

 restrial paradise. Perpetual spring, combined with perpetual summer, displays the opening 

 blossom, mingled with the ripened fruits. A perfume of exquisite sweetness embalms the at- 

 mosphere, which is continually refreshed by the wholesome breezes from ihe sea. Here might 

 mankind, if they could throw off their vices, lead lives, exempt from trouble and from want. 

 Their bread grows on the trees which shade their lawns, and the light barks glide on the tran- 

 quil seas, protected from the swelling surge, by the coral reefs v. hich enclose them. 



6. Geology. JMincrals. Over so wide a tract, the geological formation is of course very 

 various ; but tlie primitive, and the volcanic or trap formations prevail. To the former belong 

 Borneo and Celebes, and in those where granite is the principal rock, gold abounds, while some 

 ol them also contain the richest tin deposites in the world. The basaliic or volcanic formation 

 embraces the whole chain of islands from Java to Sumbava inclusive, and comprehends most 

 of the islands lying between Celebes and Papua, famous for the production of the clove and 

 nutmeg. The basaltic islands are deficient in metals, but are more than compensated for it, in 

 most cases, by the superior fertility of the soil. Of the mixed primitive and volcanic formations 

 are composed the island of Sumatra, and the principal islands of the Philippines. In these gold 

 is found, but less abundantly than in the primitive districts ; they are, liowever, more fertile 

 than the latter. New Holland comprises almost every variety of geological formation. It 

 abounds in coal, which is also found in Sumatra, Java, and some of the smaller islands. The 

 diamond is found only in Borneo. Copper occurs in Sumatra, Luconia, and Timor. Lead 

 is found in Luconia; and perhaps the most abundant ore of antimony in the world, and which 

 now supplies the European market, is found in Borneo. Iron Is not abundant. 



7. Vegetation. Oceanica yields a rich and varied vegetation, comprising some of the most 

 durable wood, the most precious spices, and some of the most nourishing and exquisite of 

 fruits. The vegetation of the small islands, however, is often extreinely meagre, and that of 

 the largest. New Holland, although for the most part new and stiange, compiises very few use- 

 ful plants. T'lie greater portion of the land still remains in a state of nature, undisturbed by 

 human industr}^ The clove (Caryophyllv.s «roi)!fff/cii,s) , one of the most valuable commodities 

 of commerce, is a native of Moluccas, but Its cultivation has been extended to various parts 

 of the East and West Indies. The spice in common use is the uiiexjianded flower, he corolla 



