or Mendaña Islands, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, situated between 8 and 11° S. Lat., and 138° 30' and 143° W. Long. The number of the islands is twelve; and they extend to a length of 200 miles from N.W. to S.E.; being divided into two smaller groups, one lying to the N., and another to the S. The principal islands in the southern group are,—Santa Dominica or Hiwaoa, Santa Christina or Tahuna, San Pedro or Motane, and Hood's Island or Tiboa, of which the average length is about 10 miles. Of the northern group, the largest is Noukahivah, 20 miles in length and 70 in circumference; and the other principle ones are,—Uahuga or Washington Island, Uapoa or Adam's Island, Motouiti or Franklin Island, and Obivaoa. These islands present a mountainous and rugged appearance; their coasts, which are bold and precipitous, being unprotected by any coral reefs, are exposed to the sea, which beats on them with violence; and the centre of each island is occupied by a ridge of rocky mountains, rising in the larger islands to the height of 2000 or 3000 feet. From these mountains branches stretch out, reaching down to the sea, and dividing the surface of the islands into numerous small valleys. The soil in these parts is rich, consisting of clay mixed with vegetable remains; but on the higher grounds it is thin, and produces only a coarse sort of grass. Considerable portions of the islands are covered with forests of cocoanut, bread-fruit, papaw, and other trees. The natural productions of this group closely resemble those of the Society Islands; but the fan palm, which is unknown in these islands, is found in the Marquesas. Cultivation is practised to a considerable extent; the principle articles of produce being cotton, sugar, tobacco, potatoes, bananas, and plantains. The inhabitants supply vessels with vegetables and live stock, in return for which they obtain muskets and ammunition for their own use and that of the neighbouring islands. The climate is warm, and the thermometer generally ranges between 64° and 80°. Abundant showers of rain fall in winter, but thunder-storms seldom take place; and sometimes for a period of ten months the islands are without rain—an event which invariably produces a famine. The trade wind from the E. blows frequently here, especially in autumn; but winds from the N. in summer, and from the N.W. in winter are very common. The inhabitants are of a copper colour, are remarkable for the symmetry of their limbs, and though not tall, their appearance is strong and healthy. While the inhabitants of each valley are governed by a single independent chief, yet the possessor of Resolution Bay, one of the best and most frequented harbours, by means of his traffic with Europeans, has acquired considerable influence over the neighbouring princes. This chief took under his protection two English missionaries, who settled here in 1835. The open practice of idolatry has been given up, yet the people still retain many of the manners and superstitions of paganism. They are, however, generally honest and well disposed to Europeans; and the ideas formerly entertained of their cruelty and cannibalism have been found by later visitors to be unfounded. These islands were first visited in 1596 by Mendafia, who discovered four of the southern group, and called them Marquesas de Mendoza, after Don Garcia de Mendoza, then viceroy of Peru. Hood's Island was discovered by Cook in 1776, and the others by the Americans in 1797. In 1842 these islands came under the protection of France. Pop. estimated at 20,000.