~p 
142 Geographical Collections. 
M. Brongniart has, on his part, made a report on two memoirs of M. Virlet, 
relative to the geology of Messenia, and particularly of that of the environs of 
Modon and Navarino.” 
Colony on the Coast of New Guinea. 
THE inhabitants of Tidor Ceram, and other parts of the archipelago of the 
Molluccas, have from remote times been in the habit of visiting the coasts of the 
vast islands of New Guinea; but their commerce has remained very confined, on 
account of the state of barbarism of the natives, and the want of institutions for 
the protection of persons and property. 
In order to provide against these inconveniences, the king of the Low Coun- 
tries ordered an examination of the western coast of New Guinea, that an esta- 
blishment might be formed there, and that afterwards the entire coast should be 
taken possession of in the name of his majesty. 
In execution of this order, the colonial administration sent the Triton, ship of 
the royal marine, to New Guinea, under the command of the late Captain Steen- 
boom, accompanied by the brig Isis. 
On board these vessels was Mr. Von Delden, the superintendent of the pro- 
jected establishment, Mr. Maclat, and some other members of the commission of 
natural history in the East Indies. Mr. Boers, lieutenant in the navy, charged 
with the nautical observations, and Mr. Schreifer, lieutenant of infantry, destined 
to the command of the garrison. 
After having examined the river Dourga, discovered by Lieutenant Kolff, and 
after having sought in vain for the requisite facilities for the projected establish- 
ment, the expedition coasted to the north, and discovered a bay in about 3° 42/ 
south latitude, and 133° 57’ east of Greenwich, which they cailed Triton Bay, 
and which was considered adapted for the projected establishment. 
With the assistance of the natives, who were found mild, tractable, and more 
or less civilized, the navigators constructed a fort, which they called Fort du Bus, 
on which the flag of the Low Countries was hoisted the 24th of August 1828, 
which ceremony was accompanied by a proclamation. 
The expedition, on its voyage, collected many interesting facts in geography, 
and in natural and nautical science. 
The permanent establishment of an European colony in New Guinea, will 
give rise, we have no doubt, to many important discoveries ; and, amongst others, 
to a further examination of the river Dourga, which may perhaps be found to be 
a strait, making an island of the southern part of New Guinea. 
Mr. David Douglas.—We had mentioned in our last, that this enterprising © 
traveller was receiving instructions in physical observations previous to his again 
leaving this country. We learn in a letter from Captain Edward Sabine, to 
Professor Renwick of New York, published i in the Quarterly Journal of Science, 
(No. XI. New Ser.) that he was to return in September to the north-west coast 
of America, on an undertaking which will occupy him there many months. He 
will be well provided with instruments, and is practised in the mede of observa- 
tion. He hopes to determine the magnetic phenomena, from California in the 
south, to the furthest extent towards the north in which circumstances may en- 
able him to prosecute his researches, and from the ocean on the west, occasion- 
ally to the recky mountains on the east. 
flansteen’s Journey.—We find that the route pursued by this traveller, and 
his companions, is also entirely regulated by the wish of following, as much as 
possible, the direction of the magnetic curves. It was Professor Hansteen’s in- 
tention to commence, this last summer, by descending the Jenesei to Tourou- 
kansk under the polar circle, in order to extend the tracing of the curve of great- 
