xiv 



INTRODUCTION. 



have been engraved will sufficiently shew the care which has been taken 

 in their execution. 



No opportunity has been omitted of procuring and preserving spe- 

 cimens in the several departments of Natural History, of which a con- 

 siderable collection has been made in each ship, and which will be 

 described in their proper places in the Appendix. The necessary 

 smallness of our establishment rendering it expedient to dispense with 

 the appointment of a professional Naturalist, who has usually formed a 

 part of expeditions of this nature, the sole responsibility in this de- 

 partment of science naturally devolved upon myself. As however I 

 can lay no claim to any of the qualifications requisite in a naturalist, 

 and yet have hopes that our collections will not be altogether wanting 

 in interest, I consider it incumbent upon me, with a view to do justice to 

 the individuals who have assisted me in this way, to give some account 

 of the manner in which that part of my instructions has been executed. 



The collections made on board each ship were purposely kept sepa- 

 rate, with the intention of providing against accidents happening to 

 either ; except on one or two occasions, where only a single specimen of 

 any animal was obtained, in which case it was transferred to the Fury. 

 The collection of the animal kingdom formed by Captain Lyon has 

 afforded additional interest from the drawings that accompanied them, 

 wherein the colours most liable to fade were faithfully delineated from 

 specimens just killed. For the specimens obtained on board the Fury 

 I am necessarily indebted to the zeal and industry of the several 

 Officers of that ship, who have at all times rendered me their best 

 assistance in promoting this object. I must however particularly ex- 

 press the acknowledgments which I consider due to Mr. Eoss who, from 

 the commencement of the voyage, undertook in addition to his other 



