192 Prehistoric and Savage Man 



remains to us of purchasing with ease most vakiable ethno- 

 graphic treasures. But we have no time to lose. Tribes and 

 races, precious rehcs of a former state of things, are rapidly 

 passing away ; and not only are tribes becoming extinct, but 

 local customs and manufactures are rapidly disappearing. 

 The Tasmanians are gone, and but poor remnants have been 

 preserved of a race in many respects estimable as well as 

 interesting. Not a day is to be lost if we would secure for 

 those who are to come after us accurate notions of the world 

 which like a dissolving view is passing away before our eyes. 

 I feel persuaded that the merchants and merchant service of 

 Liverpool are prepared to do their best ; but if, acting on this 

 suggestion, many objects should be brought home by their 

 efforts to this city, I would beg them to observe one most 

 important rule, without which their best efforts will be of 

 little value. It is especially important that every object 

 collected should bring with it a precise statement of the 

 exact locality whence it came, with a note of as many other 

 circumstances connected with its acquisition as may be 

 obtainable. In these days to say that an object came from 

 the South Seas or from Austraha is useless. We must in 

 each case be informed of the exact spot whence it has been 

 brought. If this caution be borne in mind, there can be no 

 doubt but that the men of this city may afford most valuable 

 aid to the science of Ethnology, and that they will do so 

 I argue from the appreciative interest and warm cordiality 

 which have been displayed with respect to this exhibition. 



