“ The chief islands are Espiritu Santo, Mallicolo, Pentecost, Maewo, Sandwich, and High Islands. Some of the islands are composed of coral; others are of volcanic origin with several active volcanoes. The soil is fertile. Considerable quantities of sandalwood are exported. The chief agricultural products are the breadfruit, sago palm, banana, yam, pineapple, orange, etc. The climate is unhealthful. Even the natives are not immune from fever, and dysentery makes great ravages among them. The population is steadily decreasing ”