
LN ROD w CT 10 N: 

Tue following work was undertaken under many disadvantages. 
The writer did not accompany the Expedition, and, of course, had not 
an opportunity of observing specimens in their native localities, and in 
their natural relations. Circumstances relating to food, habits, uses, 
numbers, and grouping, and other important points which would im- 
press themselves upon the mind of an observer, and by which the dry 
details of specific description might be greatly relieved, must, therefore, 
be wanting here. 
Mr. Joseph P. Couthouy, the able naturalist of the Expedition in 
this department, made careful and suggestive notes of all interesting 
species, and, especially, of the new or doubtful species, with the inten- 
tion of amplifying them after his return. To him they would have 
spoken volumes ; but he alone could fully understand their import. 
Up to the time of leaving the Paumotu, or Low Coral Islands, these 
notes were pretty fully written out in form. On arriving at the 
Samoa Islands, his health obliged him to separate from the squadron ; 
and the numerous notes he had subsequently made from day to day 
were left in an imperfect state. Still, these would have been extremely 
valuable, especially those relating to the land-shells of the Society, 
Samoa, and Sandwich Islands. But, unfortunately, repeated searches 
have failed to discover them among the masses of documents per- 
taming to the Expedition. 
Mr. Couthouy was also careful to attach marks, or numbers, to all 
B 
