NICOBARS 295 amounts approximately to 426 square miles, and the population to about 6000 persons. This group consists of 8 large and 12 small islands, of which the following are the principal : - Chauri, Terressa, Bompoka, Tillangchong, Camorta, Nancowry, Katchall, Car - Nicobar, the Little Nicobar, and the Great Nicolar. The largest of these is the Great Nicobar, which is about 30 miles in length, and between 12 and 15 in breadth. The length of the others is as folloirs :-Car-Nicobar, 6 miles; Terressa, 12 miles; Katchall, 9 miles ; Nancowry, 4 miles; Camorta, 16 miles; and the Little Nicobar, 12 miles. Nancowry gives its name to a splendid harbour, which is formed by the islands of Nancowry, Camorta, and a smaller one called Trinkati. Many of the channels which separate the islands form excellent and safe passages for ships. The station established by the Government of India in 1869 in this group of islands, is called Nancowry. It is situated at the south-east end of Camorta Island, and on the north side of Nancowry harbour. The station is supervised by an officer, who is periodically relieved from Port Blair. The establishment, in 1882, consisted of 50 native troops, 27 police, and 235 convicts, the object of the settlement being the protection of trade and suppression of piracy. Nancowry is the only station among the islands of the Nicobar group. Physical Aspects.—Most of the islands are hilly, and some of the peaks attain a considerable height. Others again are flat, and covered with forests of cocoa-nut trees. All of them are well wooded. In some of the islands, particularly Camorta and Nancowry, the forests alternate with extensive undulating plains covered with a long coarse grass, which in places afford excellent pasture for cattle. The valleys and sides of the hills, to a considerable height, are so thickly covered with trees that the light of the sun is never able to penetrate through their foliage. Among the principal trees are the cocoa-nut and areca palms, the mango, the larum or mellori, and a variety of timber-tree which grows to an immense height, and would afford excellent material for building and repairing ships, Tropical fruits grow in great abundance, and yams of fine quality and size. The doniestic animals are dogs, pigs, and a few fowls. Of birds, the Nicobar swallow is the chief. It is the builder of the edible nests, so highly valued by the Chinese. All kinds of fish abound in the waters around the islands, and shell-fish are found in great quantities. The soil on the sea-shore is composed of sand, coral, lime, and vegetable mould, more or less thick; the hills are red clay, and the rocks lime, sandstone, and slate. Specimens of coal have been found in various parts of the Nicobars, and though differing in appearance are alike in nature. The circumstance of their similarity is an indication of the probable existence of one great bed extending through the islands.
