a group of islands in Australasia, lying between S. Lat. 10. and 12°, E. Long. 165. and 168., consisting of five or six islands of considerable size, and a great number of smaller ones. The largest is Santa Cruz, or, in the native language, Nitandl, about 20 miles in length by half a mile in breadth. They are all of volcanic origin; and in one, called Volcano, this agency is not yet extinct. The larger islands, and some of the others, are lofty; and they are all well wooded, producing the cocoa-nut tree, the bread-fruit tree, and other vegetables similar to those of the Friendly Islands. The inhabitants are numerous in proportion to the area, and they belong to the race of Australian Negroes. Queen Charlotte Islands were discovered by Mandana in 1595, and it is at Mallicollo, or Recherche, one of this group, that the unfortunate La Pérouse is believed to have been lost with his crew.

QUEEN'S COLLEGES. (See Universities.)