SOCIETY ISLANDS, a small archipelago in the South Pacific ocean, in lot 16° to 18° s., long. 148° to 155° \v., is formed of a number of islands, of which the greater number are under French rule. Exclusive of islets, the group is formed of 13 islands—Tahati or Otaheite, Maitia, Eimeo. Malaoiti, Tetuaroa, ()Unita, Marna, Tuba, Lord Howe's island, Scilly island, Hualfine, Raiatea, and Borabora. The three last, with their dependencies, are not under the French protectorate, but are each an independent state. Area esti plated at 580 sq.m.; pop. about 20.000. All the islands closely. resemble each other in appearance. They are mountainous in the interior, with tracts of low-lying and extra ordinarily fertile land occupying the shores all round from the base of the mountains to the sea. They arc surrounded by coral reefs, are abundantly watered by streams, and enjoy a temperate and agreeable climate. Almost every tropical veetable and fruit n a know is grown here, but agriculture is in a backward state. The animals are those usual', found in the South Sea islands. The inhabitants belong to the Malay race, are affable, ingenious, and hospitable, but volatile and sensual. The practice of tattooing has almost wholly disappeared, and the native costume now closely resembles that of civilized nations. There are now no native manufactures, these having been entirely superseded by imported goods. Cocoa-nut oil, orans, lime-juice, knurl shells, and pearl shells are the principal articles exported; and cocoa-nuts are the general article of barter throughout the islands for calicoes, cotton cloth, knives, cordage, groceries, etc., which are imported chiefly from Tahiti. The exports 'from Tahiti, the principal island, amounted in 1871 to £110,000, and the imports to se.,120,000.
Tahiti is said to have been visited as early as 1606. Capt. Cook reached it in 1769, and discovered many of the other islands of the archipelago, to which be gave the name of Society islands in honor of the Royal society of London. In 1797 the first mission-ship fitted out by the newly formed London missionary society arrived at Tahiti. Atter 10 years of apparently fruitless labor the influence of the missionaries began to lie felt, and soon afterward became so powerful as to be almost paramount. A quarrel between Ile Protestant and Roman Catholic missionaries, who thought it better to enter upon ground already occupied by Protestants than to take up new ground for themselves, occasioned the interference of France in favor of the latter, and the island of Tahiti was taken possession of in the name of Louis Philippe by a strong French force in 1844. All the possessions of the native ruler—who, however, still enjoys nominal authority—were afterward placed under the protection of France, and the Society islands, though still nominally a protected state; may be considered as virtually a French colonial possession. Many of the Protestant missionaries left the island in consequence of the interference of the French authorities with their labors. Some, however, remained, and the congregations continued to meet. An application to the British gov ernment procured a concession on the part of the French government of some of the rights of religious liberty, which had been taken atvay by the local authorities.