PREFACE 



This book was written for the entertainment and 

 instruction of children between twelve and eighteen 

 years of age, the underlying idea being that the stu- 

 dent of nature need never be lonely. Forced to 

 lead the simple life on a deserted island far from 

 friends, books, and other advantages, the three Cru- 

 soes found that nature supplied them not only with 

 bodily, but also with mental wants. 



While the characters, the story, and the setting 

 are fictitious, the natural history is entirely reliable, 

 and the reader enjoys the rare privilege of having 

 the nature treasures of many different localities 

 brought together into a rather limited area. On this 

 account, visitors to any part of the West Indies may 

 find the book helpful. 



It may be added that the opinion of experts is 

 divided regarding the origin of the monkey used in 

 this story, some claiming that he was native to the 

 island and others contending that he was introduced 

 through human agency. The author is inclined to 

 lean toward the latter theory. 



William A. Murrill 



August 5, 1918 



