CORRESPONDENCE. 153 



PHILADELPHIA, August 15, 1836. 



DEAR SIR On first heating that the government were about 

 sending an exploring expedition to the South Seas, I paid little 

 regard to the circumstance, presuming that the interests of naviga- 

 tion would alone be consulted, or that, if other matters of science 

 were connected, they would be regarded as of very secondary 

 importance; judge, then, of my surprise, on learning that it 

 Would be rendered not inferior to any previous, in contributing to 

 all branches of knowledge ; and more, that it was to be no imita- 

 tion, either in its route or organization. 



As zoology has always formed a very prominent feature in such 

 undertakings, you will excuse me for troubling you with a few 

 remarks. The first object that should claim the attention of the 

 zoologist is, of course, man. It is of the very first importance to 

 record, as soon as possible, all that can be ascertained of the pre- 

 sent inhabitants of the small islands of the Pacific. From the 

 vast influx of foreign vessels of late years, the original character 

 of the population will, in all probability, soon be lost, and it4 

 history must be looked for hereafter, in these very exploring expe- 

 ditions. Now the tact of the experienced naturalist might detect 

 points in the physical aspect of the natives, that would have es- 

 caped the 'notice of the Philologist, the Ethnographer, or even of 

 the Anatomist. 



A knowledge of the species of animals and plants is one great 

 object that naturalists are aiming at. What results will arise from 

 the attainment, it is impossible to foresee ; as, indeed, from any 



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