PREFACE 



The two main objects which the Trustees of the Geographical Society 

 of Baltimore have sought to accomplish by means of the Society are, first, 

 to place before the public of Baltimore, at practically cost prices, an annual 

 course of lectures dealing either directly or indirectly with geographical sub- 

 jects; and second, to foster geographical research and, from time to time, 

 publish monographs dealing with some particular piece of geographical in- 

 vestigation, carried on under the auspices of the Society. In pursuance of this 

 latter object, the Bahama Expedition was organized and equipped, and sent 

 out from Baltimore on the first day of June, 1903, to the Bahama Islands. 

 The object of this Expedition was to investigate the origin and natural history 

 of the Islands and also to conduct studies along lines intimately associated 

 with the well-being of the inhabitants. 



In the organization of the Expedition provision was made and suitable 

 men selected to carry on investigations in Geology, Paleontology, Tides, 

 Terrestrial Magnetism, Climate, Exploration of the Upper Atmosphere, Soils 

 and Agricultural Conditions, Vegetation, Mosquitoes, Fishes, Batraehians and 

 Eeptiles, Mammals, Birds, Sanitary Conditions, Commercial Geography, and a 

 History of the people who have inhabited the Islands. The names of those 

 who carried forward these investigations are given in another part of this 

 volume. 



For many months previous to the day of departure the Director of the 

 Expedition was busily engaged in organizing and equipping the various depart- 

 ments, in order that each might work as far as possible independently of 

 all the others. For the work in geology, barometers, levels, hammers, and the 

 necessary collecting outfit were supplied. For the work on tides and terrestrial 

 magnetism the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey kindly loaned to the Expedi- 

 tion a tide-gauge and instruments for a magnetic survey. For the work on 

 climate, the IT. S. Weather Bureau cooperated and supplied the Expedition 

 with kites, barometers, thermographs, and other instruments for making 

 automatic records of meteorologic conditions. For the work on soils the Bureau 

 of Soils, IT. S. Department of Agriculture, kindly loaned one of their field 

 equipments, containing a complete field laboratory for the chemical examination 



