AUSTRALASIA.
Embraces many large islands, lying in the south Pacific Ocean.
New Holland is the largest island in the world, having a greater extent of surface than the United States. It is at present but little known. Its native inhabitants are said to approach nearer to the brute creation than any other savages.
Van Dieman’s Land is a fertile island, belonging to the British. Of New Guinea little is known.
New Britain and New Ireland have a fertile soil, and produce abundance of nutmegs. The inhabitants resemble those of New Holland in their characters. They are exceedingly warlike.