I. 



A General Account of the Fauna, with Remarks on the 

 Physiography of the Islands. 



A. Sketch of Zoological Explorations in the Bahamas. 



The Bahamas have been visited several times both by Expeditions and by individ- 

 ual naturalists for the purpose of zoological explorations, but they have been 

 far from thoroughly studied in this respect, the reason being that the visits paid 

 have been very short. I proceed to give a short sketch of some of the most im- 

 portant zoological work previously done in this archipelago. 



The earliest knowledge about the natural history of the Bahamas that is of 

 any importance we owe to Catesby, who made a journey to Carolina, Florida and 

 the Bahamas, visiting among the last-named islands New Providence, Eleuthera, 

 Andros and Abaco (1725 — 26). After his return to England he published a large 

 work about the results of his studies: The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and 

 the Bahama Islands. London 1731 — 43. — In this book he has, among other things, 

 described the birds, reptiles and fishes found, and given coloured plates of most 

 of them. Several of his descriptions and plates formed the basis for some of 

 LiNN^us' species. 



In 1783 Joseph it sent an expedition to America for the purpose of collecting 

 plants and animals. Some members of the expedition, the leader of which was Fr. 

 J. Maertes, visited New Providence and some other islands of the Bahamas in 1784. 



The U. S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross cruised in 1886 about the Ba- 

 hamas, collections being made on Abaco, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Isl., Wat- 

 lings, Rum Cay, Green Cay, Concepion Isl and Bobby ßock, but very little has 

 been published about the results obtained. 



The Univerbity of Pennsylvania sent an expedition in 1890—91 to the West In- 

 dies, visiting also New Providence, Eleuthera, Watlings Isl., Crooked Isl. and Great 

 Inagua. The leader of the Expedition was the Professor of Botany J. Th. Rothrock, 

 Mr. J. P. Moore being in charge as zoologist. 



