AFRICAN ISLANDS.
At the mouth of the Red Sea lies the island of Zocotra, belonging to the Arabs. It is a populous and plentiful country, and particularly noted for aloes.
Madagascar is separated from the continent by a channel, called the Channel of Mozambique. This island is 800 miles long, 1.50 broad, divided into 28 provinces, and watered by some considerable rivers. Its population is estimated at 4,000,000, blacks.
The Cape Verd islands, so called, are opposite to the most projecting part of Africa. There are ten principal ones, lying almost in a half circle.
The Canary islands, are still further north, almost opposite to Morocco, but more southerly; famous for Canary wine. The ancients called them the Fortunate Isles. They are ten or twelve in number; the chief are Great Canary, Teneriffe, Gomera and Ferro. Teneriffe is much encumbered with mountains. The Peak is an ascent in the form of a sugar loaf, 15 miles in circumference, and 13,26.5 feet high. It is a volcano.
The Madeiras are three islands, in about 28 degrees north latitude, 100 miles north of the Canaries. The largest, is 180 miles in circumference. The Madeiras are opposite to Morocco: very fruitful, the climate is fine, and there are few reptiles. These islands are famous for an exquisite wine of the same name.
The Azores, or Western Isles, lie about midway between the two continents, in about 37 degrees north latitude, nine hundred miles from land. They were discovered by a ship that was driven in that direction by stress of weather. They are nine in number, fertile in corn, wine, and a variety of fruits. The climate is remarkably salubrious. It is said that no poisonous or noxious animal can live on the Azores.
Otaheite. The Society Isles, are a cluster lying near the 16th degree south latitude, the principal of which is Otaheite. The vegetable productions of these islands are numerous and luxuriant. The inhabitants of Otaheite alone are estimated at 204,000. The people exceed the middle size of Europeans in stature. In their dispositions, they arc brave, open, and generous, without
