PBEFACE. VU 



extinct, have already, by their rapid increase and mild dis- 

 position, developed themselves into a permanent source of 

 national wealth. 



The islands of the Southern Seas, now lying barren and 

 waste, are not only numerous, but admirably suited for the 

 production and management of these valuable animals, 

 and need only the simple regulations enforced by the 

 American Legislature to resuscitate the present state of decay 

 of a once remunerative trade, and to bring into full vigour 

 another important export to the many we already possess. 



I have cordially to thank the many friends, some residing 

 at a considerable distance from Sydney, who, from time 

 to time, and at much inconvenience, have either supplied 

 me liberally with the loan of numerous scientific works for 

 reference, or freely offered valuable information, acquired by 

 personal experience, of the habits of some of the Southern 

 animals of this section ; as well as others to whom I am 

 indebted for their considerate advice and material assistance 

 during the progress of the compilation of this treatise. 



In the present incomplete state, arising from the issue of 

 one part only of the proposed publication, and which first 

 portion, indeed, must be deemed as only on trial as a preli- 

 minary effort, I think it but right to withhold the names of 

 the gentlemen alluded to, until the work in a more advanced 

 stage has undergone the ordeal of public opinion a course 

 of procedure, I feel, greatly more to their advantage than 

 to mine, whether that opinion be favourable or otherwise. 



Sydney, 21 July, 1873. 



