Australian New Guinea : a geographical survey

Australian New Guinea forms part of the screen of islands which are collectively known as Melanesia (from the Greek term meaning "Black Isl ands·' ). Extending from Fiji in the east to an uncertain boundary to the west of New Guinea, the lielanesian islands represent a land area of about 360,000 square miles. Their population of three to four million persons, although derived from varied racial stock, is fairly homogeneous and consists mostly of a primitive, dark-skinned, fuzzy-haired folk with negroid features, who can be ethnically distinguished from their surrounding neighbours - Polynesians, Indonesians and Australians. In addition to this positive, though somewhat loose ethnic unity, the Melanesian islands derive a negative unity from the fact that, as part of the hot, wet tropics with a not too hospitable enVironment, as well as by reason of historical aCCidents, they constituted until a late date in history one of the largest areas sealed off from the main currents of civilization, unpenetrated by the outside world. In the 19th century, however, Melanesia as an undeveloped area could hardly escape the European scramble f or colonies; and although at times its rulers have changed, the whole re gion remains under the colonial control of one or the othe r powers to this day