348. The Chinese formerly tried to defend themselves against the Tartars, by a wall with gates and numerous towers, most of which still remains. It is sufficiently broad for several persons to ride abreast, extending 1500 miles, over rivers and lofty mountains. China is also remarkable for the tea plant, and for its beautiful porcelain ware, called china.

The soil in China is every where cultivated with the greatest care, and an immense population is supported; but great numbers live on the water in boats, and the poor suffer for want of food.

The people are ingenious and industrious, but timid, dishonest, and treacherous in their intercourse with strangers.

Questions on the map.-I. How is China bounded? Where is the Chinese wall? In what latitude does China lie? What must we suppose as to the climate of the various parts? What are the two chief rivers? What is the capital? What are the principal ports and cities? Where is the most remarkable canal of China? What large island lies near the coast? What small cluster beyond it? What countries of Asia are subject to China?

EAST INDIA OR ASIATIC ISLANDS.

Animals of the Asiatic Islands.

349. The Asiatic Islands may be considered as extending to 10° S. latitude, and 130° W. longitude.

350. They produce the finest fruits, gums, spices and minerals. They also abound with wild animals, among which are the ourang outang, crocodile, tiger, rhinoceros, &c. The tiger and rhinoceros have severe contests, in which the rhinoceros often throws his adversary into the air with his horn.

351. These islands are divided into three principal groups, the Sunda Isles, the Molucca or Spice Isles, and the Philippine Isles.

THE SUNDA ISLES.

352. The Sunda Isles include Sumatra, Java, and other islands south of Borneo and Celebez.

They furnish gold, diamonds and gums; but pepper is the most important production.

They are inhabited by a mixture of Chinese, Malays and natives, and have much commerce. The interior is little known.

Sumatra has a ridge of mountains running through it, the highest being loftier than the Alps, which render the climate generally agreeable, and in some parts cold.

Java is a beautiful and fertile island, but very unhealthy. It is now owned by the Dutch.

Questions on the map.-I. Which way from Malacca is Sumatra? What straits separate it? In what zone is it? Where is the British settlement of Bencoolen? What other place do you find? Which way from Sumatra is Java? What strait between them? What is the capital? What are the other principal islands among the Sunda Isles ?

BORNEO AND CELEBEZ.

353. BORNEO is a very large island, entirely possessed by the natives.

It is rich in gold, diamonds, pearls, and valuable plants, and is remarkable as the residence of the ourangoutang, an animal very much like man.

354. CELEBEZ is a fruitful island, little known, with a settlement belonging to the Dutch at Macassar. The natives are said to be ingenious and brave, but ferocious and cruel.

Questions on the map.-I. Where is Borneo? What is the capital? Between what islands does Celebez lie? Where is Macassar?

THE MOLUCCAS, OR SPICE ISLANDS.

355. The Moluccas, or Spice Islands, are remarkable for producing spices, and especially the nutmeg and clove. They now belong to the Netherlands.

Questions on the map.-I. What islands are included in the Moluccas? Which is the largest? Mention the relative situation of the others.

PHILIPPINE ISLES.

356. The Philippine Isles are possessed by the Spaniards, who have derived great revenues from them. They produce gold and other metals, with cotton, rice, and sugar in great abundance.

Questions on the map.-I. Which is the largest of the Philippine Isles? What others are the principal? What is the chief city, and its size?

357. Most of the people of Australasia live in rude huts of bark, often built on floats, and some even sleep on trees.

358. These nations are in a ruder state of society than any yet known, with the patriarchal government, and without any religion or knowledge of a future state, so far as can be discovered.

Many tribes among them are without huts, clothes, boats, or implements for hunting and fishing, and feed ም. fruits, shell-fish, or even on caterpillars and worms. Very little is known of this portion of the world, except the coasts.

359. The people of New-Holland, and New-Guinea, and the islands near the latter, are of the African race. Those of the New-Hebrides, New-Zealand, and the more Southern isles, resemble the Asiatics.

Questions.-I. What can you say of the houses of the Australasians? What is their state of civilization generally? What can you say of some tribes? What is known of these countries? Of what races are the inhabitants? Between what oceans does Australasia lie? (See map of the World.) What are the two largest islands? What are some of the smaller

ones E. of New-Guinea? What west of this island? What straits between New-Holland and New Guinea? What island E. of New-Holland. What one S. of it, and what straits separate it from New-Holland? What considerable island S. E. of New-Holland? What are some of the capes of New-Holland?

NEW-HOLLAND.

360. New-Holland is an extensive island, only one quarter less than Europe.

The people of New-Holland generally resemble Africans in every thing except the straightness of their hair; but some are found among them of the Malay race.

The British have established a settlement on Port Jackson (formerly on Botany Bay) to which they send criminals from England.

VAN DIEMAN'S LAND, the island south of New Holland, is also settled by the British.

Questions on the map.-I. What is the comparative size of New-Holland? What Gulf on the N. of New-Holland? What names are given to the northern, eastern, and western coasts? Where is Port Jackson? Where is Sidney Cove? What misWhat other in Australasia? Where does Van Dieman's Land lie? What settlement is there on it?

sionary station near it?

NEW-ZEALAND.

361. New-Zealand contains two large fertile islands, which enjoy a mild climate like that of France.

The people are tall and well formed, and more civilized than in any other portion of Australasia. They are brave and generous in many respects; but they eat the bodies of their enemies killed in war.

One of the kings has received Christian missionaries with great kindness, who are beginning to introduce civilization and Christianity among the people.

Questions.-I. What is the climate of New-Zealand? What can you say of the people? What improvement is beginning among them? How many islands are there belonging to New. Zealand? What straits divide them? (See map of the World.)