IV 



ing in its flora and fauna, which, from their sheltered 

 position and the variety of soil and climate, are un- 

 usually fertile, and also to unfold its remoter history, 

 and incidentally that of its immediate neighbourhood, 

 in the hope that an interest may be created, which 

 may lead better explorers to take up the clue. 



The soil was at all events rich : the authors must 

 throw themselves upon the reader's indulgence for 

 the verdict that shall say whether it was worth while 

 to put in the spade. 



