viii INTRODUCTION. 



and 1 can assure him that he will be am- 

 ply remunerated for his labor. I say alh 

 for however common they may be in the 

 countries he visits, they may be scarce 

 here. 



Several years ago, I published a 

 small pamphlet, entitled " Directions to 

 Captains of Ships, Officers, and Travel- 

 lers, particularly to those who visit the 

 South Sea Islands," &c. which went 

 through two editions. Since that time, 

 science has rapidly advanced, and it may 

 be said, there are but few who have not 

 felt a desire to obtain something more 

 than an ordinary knowledge of the pro- 



