Marquesas

Marquesas, or Mendana Islands, The, are situated in the South Pacific between lat. 8° and 11° S. and long. 138° and 141° W. They consist of the five islands discovered by Mendana in 1595, and seven others discovered by an American named

Ingraham in 1797. Nuka Hiva and Hiwaon are the names of the largest. The inhabitants, who have largely decreased in numbers, are fine specimens of the North Polynesian race. In 1842 these islands yvere placed under the protectorate of France.