race, but, considering the circumstances of isolation under which 

 the race was developed, very far advanced. Yet farther than the 

 meager records of early explorers and the narratives of traders, 

 missionaries, and adventurers, all of whom in their writings treated 

 the civilization of the natives in a superficial manner, we know 

 next to nothing of one of the great races of mankind. Ethnologists 

 yearn for reliable knowledge of this interesting — yes, fascinating 

 people. They assert that we must ascertain their origin, tribal 

 traditions, and social affinities before a worthy history of the human 

 race can be written. We all know too well of the rapid change of 

 conditions and the obliteration of the facts upon which the study 

 of any primitive people depends. Anyone at all familiar with the 

 peculiar conditions in the Pacific feels that with the Polynesian and 

 kindred tribes it is indeed now or never that this work must be done. 



That which is true of the Polynesian race as a people is equally 

 true of the material in every department of natural history. That 

 which it is so important to preserve or record is everywhere passing 

 away or changing in character. Then too, an exhaustive exami- 

 nation of any one subject in the Pacific is so interwoven with others, 

 that the study of the one is remarkably involved by the lack of 

 knowledge of the other. This is true to such an extent that in 

 order to be of a high character, any ethnological survey of the 

 region requires as a starting-point information which is today 

 sadly lacking of the oceanology, climatology, geology, zoology, and 

 botany of the entire ocean. 



A task which involves so much exploration, investigation, and 

 research can only be accomplished by creating first of all a scientific 

 center exclusively devoted to this especial work. Such a center 

 must undertake to collect and bring thither all of the material and 

 data on which the investigation must be based. It must then pro- 

 vide the men and facilities necessary for the study of the material, 

 once it is assembled, and lastly, in order to make the labor of the 

 survey permanent and valuable, ample opportunity for the publi- 

 cation and application of the facts thus obtained must be provided. 

 Thus the results of the undertaking may be permanently added to 

 the general store of human knowledge for the benefit and improve- 

 ment of all. 



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