154 PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION 



The object of the expedition was primarily to obtain specimens of 

 African game for the Smithsonian Institution, and a number of skilful 

 taxidermists and naturalists accompanied the party for the purpose of 

 preserving and studying the trophies of the trip. It was hoped that 

 the expedition would be fortunate enough to discover several new 

 species and give the world better and more accurate information about 

 those already known. 



No preference of course was to be given one species over another 

 except for food purposes. Nevertheless it is only natural that the 

 hunter's interest, as w^ell as the reader's, should turn to the really big 

 game, from which the greatest sport w^as to be had. 



