Preface. 



Being considered somewhat leyendary and mysterious, the 

 remote tropical colonies were very little known for a long time. 

 Although reputed sources of considerable riches, very vague notions 

 of them, mostly far from correct, were generally known. 



At the present day all this has much changed. The colonies 

 and particularly those situated in the intertropical zone are at 

 present every-where fJie subject of serious and thorough studies. Inte- 

 rest is taken in- their history, organization and administration. 

 Eesearches and investigations are being made in regard to their 

 flora a>ul fauna, as well as into the numerous problems which they 

 present from an ethnologic and anthropologic point of view. 



Large associations have been formed ivith the purpose of 

 encouraging and directing these studies, and many a periodical, in 

 several languages, is devoted exclusively to colonial questiom. 



In these questions the interest by preference relates to the 

 political economy of the colonies and to their commercial impor- 

 tance. In this respect the mining resources are mentioned by some. 



