NEW HEBRIDES, a cluster of islands lying in the Great South Sea, or Pacific Ocean. The northern islands of this archipelago were first discovered by that great navigator Quiros in 1606, and not without reason considered as a part of the southern continent, which at that time, and till very lately, was supposed to exist. They were next visited by M. de Bougainville in 1768, who, besides landing on the island of Lepers, did no more than discover that the land was not connected, but composed of islands, which he called the Great Cyclades. Captain Cook, besides ascertaining the extent and situation of these islands, added the knowledge of several in this group which were before unknown. He explored the whole cluster; and thinking himself thereby intitled to affix to them a general appellation, he named them the New Hebrides. They are situated between latitudes of 14 deg. 25. min. and 20 deg. 4. min. south; and between 166 deg. 41. min. and 170 deg. 21. min. east longitude; and extend 125 leagues in the direction of north-north-west and south-south-east. The most northern part of this archipelago was called by M. de Bougainville the Peak of the Etoile. The whole cluster consists of the following islands; some of which have received names from the different European navigators; others retain the names which they bear among the natives, viz. Tierra del Espíritu Santo, Mallicollo, St Bartholomew, Isle of Lepers, Aurora, Whitfuntide, Ambrym, Immer, Apec, Three Hills, Sandwich, Montagu, Hinchinbrook, Shepherd, Eorramanga, Irronan, Annatom, and Tanna.