xii PL'EFACE. 



]ionoui-ed the restored ashes of Napoleon, who, for a 

 moment, execrated like them, had been, like them, pro- 

 sci-ibed. What advantage New Caledonia may derive from 

 their exile is, therefore, a matter of doubt. 



In acknowledging my obligations to the gentlemen whose 

 zoological notices will contribute to the interest of my work, 

 it is painfi.il for me to remember that two of them, Mr. 

 George Gray and Dr. Baird, have passed from among ns 

 and are beyond the reach of my thanks. A thankful 

 remembrance of the interest they took in my collections is, 

 howcvei', a tribute I can and do ofier to their memory. 



Folkestone : Januanj. 



Since the substance of the above Preface was communi- 

 cated to the fi-iend who writes this postscript, and put by 

 him mto the desired form, Mr. Brenchley — then very ill — 

 has himself passed away. 



A vigorous constitution, severely tried by years of inces- 

 sant travel, after showing some premonitory symptoms of 

 decay, suddenly broke down imder a complication of 

 maladies which rapidly overpowered a muscidar frame, en- 

 dowed with exceptional strength, at the comparatively early 

 age of fifty-six. From 1849 to 1SG7, some brief returns 

 home excepted, he was continuously indulging what he 

 justly called his ' passionate love of wandering ' — sometimes 

 in company, sometimes alone — welcoming all sorts of 

 hard.ships, running all sorts of risks, exposing himself to 



