MARIA, an island on the north coast of New Holland, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, about seven miles in length and from one to four in breadth. Cape Maria, its northern extremity, is in long. 135. 53. E. and lat. 14. 50. N.
MARIA'S ISLAND lies off the east coast of Van Diemen's Land, in the Great Southern Ocean. Its form is very singular, being penetrated by two deep bays on opposite sides: that on the east side, called Oyster Bay, being safe and capacious. The coast in some parts is of a singular structure, presenting lofty granitic walls rising 300 or 400 feet perpendicularly above the sea, and being penetrated by deep caverns, into which the sea rolls with a noise resembling distant thunder. The western shore is embarrassed by an immense quantity of sea-weed, which grows from the bottom to the height of 250 or 300 feet, and covers the surface. Seals abound on the shore; and also zoophytes. This island was first discovered by Tasman in 1642. Long. 143. 29. E. Lat. 42. 42. S.