488 REPORT—1896. 
Mr. Knight, in the ‘Cruise of the Falcon,’ describes the prostrate 
forests of the island of Trinidad in the South Atlantic. We never can 
know what was the nature and extent of this vanished flora and fauna. 
‘ What is taking place in the small islands holds good to a somewhat: 
less extent for the larger ones. In New Zealand the Government is 
taking steps to preserve certain well-known vestiges of its ancient fauna, 
which are in imminent danger of extermination ; but it does not interest 
itself in the inconspicuous forms, which are subject to the same danger, 
nor does the New Zealand Government systematically investigate the 
existing fauna of the group. 
It is necessary that such investigations should be undertaken by a 
competent naturalist. He should not only be a good collector, but a keen 
observer, in fact, a naturalist in the true sense of the term; for unless 
the work is well done it had-almost be better left undone. There are 
many examples of collecting being so imperfectly done as to lead to very 
erroneous conclusions. It takes time for a naturalist to become acquainted 
with the local types. The endemics do not show themselves, as usually 
the conditions of life are such that insects, for example, live retired 
lives and are not seen, while those that manifest themselves are often 
foreigners. 
The extermination of animal life is more rapid and striking than that 
of plants, but what has been stated for animals must be applied to plants. 
as well. 
Not less important than the foregoing is the study of the anthropology 
of these districts. The Tasmanians have entirely disappeared and we 
know extremely little about this interesting people. In many islands the 
natives are fast dying out, and in more they have become so modified by 
contact with the white man and by crossings due to deportation by 
Europeans, that immediate steps are necessary to record the anthropo- 
logical data that remain. Only those who have a personal acquaintance 
with Oceania, or those who have carefully followed the recent literature: 
of the subject, can have an idea of the pressing need there is for prompt 
action. No one can deny that it is our bounden duty to record the 
physical characteristics, the handicrafts, the psychology, ceremonial 
observances and religious beliefs of vanishing peoples ; this also is a work 
which in many cases can alone be accomplished by the present generation. 
There is no difficulty in finding men competent to undertake such 
investigations if the funds were forthcoming. For the Committee to 
satisfactorily organise any expedition it would be necessary to have a per- 
manent income or at all events an adequate amount for a defined number 
of years. Experience has shown that an annual sum of 400/. is necessary 
to equip and maintain one naturalist. 
The Committee ask to be reappointed, and hope to propose a definite 
scheme at the next meeting of the Association. . 
Since the above was in print Dr. D. Sharp has received a letter from 
Mr. Perkins, in which the following passage occurs : this is so appropriate 
that we do not hesitate to quote it in full :—‘ The country where I camped 
here (Lihue, Kauai) was a low-lying, densely covered forest bogland, at 
Jirst sight a paradise for Carabide, and differing from any other place 
known to me. Its fauna is entirely lost for ever. 
‘I turned during my stay thousands of logs, any one of which at 
4,000 feet would have yielded Carabide. Of all these there was not @ 
