or SPICE ISLANDS, a numerous group of islands in the Asiatic Archipelago, situated between Celebes on the W. and New Guinea on the E., and stretching from N. Lat. 2. to S. Lat. 9. They are believed to amount to several hundreds, though many of them are small and uninhabited. The group is formed of three smaller clusters, viz., the Gilolos or Moluccas proper, the Ceram group, and the Timor Laut group. The first of these, extending from 2. S. to 3. N. Lat., comprehends the islands of Gilolo, Morty, Mandioly, Batchian, Oooy, Mysole, Ternate, and Tidore, besides others of smaller size. The cluster of Ceram, which lies in the centre of the group, between 3. and 5. S.Lat., contains, among others, the islands of Ceram, Booroo, Amboya, and Banda. The third group lies farther to the S., situated between Australia and the W. of New Guinea, and includes the Timor Laut, the Key, and Aroo islands. The surface of the whole group is decidedly mountainous, and attains in some of the islands heights varying from 7000 to 8000 feet above sea-level. In its geological structure the group is principally volcanic, and contains several active craters, as well as a number of hot springs, which are found chiefly in the island of Amboya. The outline of the mountains, moreover, is bold and rugged, and the coasts are both steep and irregular. Violent earthquakes are of frequent occurrence. The mountains are extensively wooded, even to their summits; while in the lower regions there is a rich soil. There are numerous excellent harbours, but sand-banks are frequently thrown up on the coast by the earthquakes, which render the navigation intricate. Owing to their tropical situation, the climate of the Moluccas is at all seasons warm; but the smallness of their size, and the prevalence of the monsoons, prevent the heat from rising to an excessive degree. From October or November till April or May, when the N.W. monsoon prevails, the hot and rainy season continues; but during the other months, when the S.E. monsoon blows, the temperature is considerably lower. The moisture of the air, however, is at all times great, and even during the dry season occasional showers fall. The nature of the climate and soil prevent the cultivation of corn in the Moluccas; and the principal food of the natives is obtained from the sago palm; besides which, bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, and many other products of tropical countries, grow in great abundance. Spices, however, as the name of the islands indicates, are the articles of produce most important to Europeans. Of these, cloves and nutmegs are the principal, and are exported in large quantities. Sandal and other kinds of wood useful for furniture are also obtained here. Small quantities of gold, coral, madreporite, and mother-of-pearl are found on the islands; and some commerce is carried on with China in edible birds' nests, seasnails, and sharks' fins. The Dutch monopolies, however, which have tramelled the trade here for so many years, are now almost completely abolished, and the good effects are rapidly becoming more apparent in an extended commerce. The inhabitants of the Moluccas are of two races,—the Papuans and the Malays. The former, believed to be the same as the inhabitants of Australia, have in many of the smaller islands been exterminated by the Malays, and in the larger ones have only retained possession of the interior and mountainous parts. The Moluccas were first visited by the Portuguese in 1510; but shortly after, their right of possession was disputed by the Spaniards under Magelhaens, at the head of a small fleet sent out by Charles V. This dispute at length terminated in favour of the latter. It was not till 1596 that the Dutch made any permanent settlements on these islands. The Dutch East India Company, founded in 1603, had obtained in 1618 the supremacy over many of the princes of the Moluccas, who were allowed to retain their authority subject to the company. This company was dissolved in 1795, and the Moluccas became immediate dependencies of Holland. During the French war of 1796, however, they were taken by the British, who held possession of them till 1800, when they were returned to Holland. The islands were again occupied by the British in 1810, but were finally restored to the Dutch in 1814, by the treaty of Paris.