31 PREFACE. 



The chapters relating to the separate ishmda of each 

 of these groups are followed by ono ou the Natural His- 

 tory of that group J and the work may thus be divided 

 into five parts, each treating of one of the natural 

 divisions of the Ai'chipelago. 



The first chapter is an introductory one, on the Physical 

 Geography of the whole region ; and the last is a general 

 sketch of the Races of Man in the Archipelago and the 

 surrounding countries. With tliis explaoatioo, and a 

 reference! to the Maps which illustrate the work, I trust 

 that my readers will always know where they are, and in 

 what direction they are going. 



I am well aware that my book is far too small for 

 the extent of the subjects it touches upon. It is a mere 

 sketch ; but so far as it goes T have endeavoured to make 

 it an accurate one, ^ilmost the whole of the nan-ative and 

 descriptive portions were written ou the spot, and have 

 had little more than verbal alterations. The chapters on 

 Natural History, as well as many passages in other parts 

 of the work, have been written in the hope of exciting an 

 interest in the various questions connected with the origin 

 of species and their geographical distribution. In some 

 cases I have been able to explain my views in detail; 

 whUe in others, owing to the greater complexity of the 

 subject, I haYC thought it better to confine myself to a 

 statement of the more interesting facts of the problem, 

 whose fK)lution is to be found in the principles developed 

 by Jlr. Darwin in his various works. The numerous Illus- 

 trations will, it is believed, add much to the interest and 

 value of the book- They have been made from my own 

 sketches, from photographs, or from specimens ; and such 

 subjects only have been chosen as would really illustrate 

 the narrative or the descriptions, 



I have to thank Messrs. Walter and Henry Woodbury, 



