X INTEODUCTOEY NOTE. 



It seemed highly desirable that this interesting island — which 

 "was evidently an upraised coral atoll — should be carefully examined 

 and described by a competent naturalist and geologist, before being 

 opened up by Europeans for agricultural and commercial purposes. 

 Accordingly it was arranged with the Trustees of the British 

 Museum that Mr. C. W. Andrews, B.Sc, F.G.S., of the Geological 

 Department, should be granted leave to carry out this exploration. 

 I undertook to pay all the expenses, and to present a complete 

 set of all specimens procured to the National Collection. 



During the years 1897 and 1898 Mr. Andrews carried out the 

 exploration with great success, notwithstanding many disappoint- 

 ments, drawbacks, and hardships. He has enriched the British 

 Museum with unique and extensive collections, and it will, I think, 

 be admitted that in the present elaborate report we have the best 

 account of a true oceanic island that has ever been published. 



It has not hitherto been possible to watch carefully the 

 immediate eflFects produced by the immigration of civilized man 

 — and the animals and plants which follow in his wake — upon 

 the physical conditions and upon the indigenous fauna and flora 

 of an isolated oceanic island. I hope to arrange that this shall 

 be done in the case of Christmas Island, at the same time that 

 further explorations are undertaken, for Mr. Andrews' detailed 

 report will enable this to be carried out with every prospect of 

 success, and in a scientific manner. 



Mr. Andrews, and the other officials of the British Museum who 

 have assisted him in his investigations, are to be congratulated on 

 the production of this excellent monograph of an oceanic island, 

 which forms a most valuable addition to natural knowledge. 



JOHN MURHAY. 



Challekger Lodge, Wakdie, 



Edinbukgh. 



Felriiary 15, 1900. 



