PBEFACJE. 
viii 
That a commencement, however, as a sort of foundation whereon 
others might continue to build, should be made, seemed to me 
desirable, as a first step whereby a whole might ultimately he attained. 
It being my lot to be stationed at St. Helena, I have endeavoured, 
with the limited time at my disposal, to make that Island a starting- 
point in such a work ; and if it appears presumptuous to publish the 
little I have been able to achieve, I would explain, that it is done 
with the hope that others, who have the opportunity, may take up 
the thread of the subject, and add the Fauna and Flora of some one 
or more of the other Islands, until all shall be completed. 
It is evident that as each year passes by it becomes more and 
more difficult to distinguish between the really indigenous species 
and those which have followed in the track of civilization ; but the 
difficulty is not so great as at first sight appears, if peculiar circum- 
stances are observed, localities carefully noted, and the collections 
investigated, as mine have been, by eminently scientific men. My 
warmest thanks are due not only to those gentlemen I have already 
mentioned, but others also, who have examined and described my 
specimens, and in many ways, with much kindness and courtesy, 
encouraged and assisted me in the undertaking; especially Mr. 
Francis Walker, who has named nearly the whole of my insects, 
excepting the Coleoptera, and permitted me to use his original 
descriptions of new species.* I have myself endeavoured to aim at 
accuracy, and not having collected elsewhere, I can claim exemption 
from the possibility of my specimens having become mixed with any 
from other places. 
Those species which are without doubt indigenous to the 
Island are distinguished by an asterisk prefixed to their names, 
while others have their chief habitat denoted. To each I have 
endeavoured to add the local name or some short description, by 
which it may be readily recognised by persons who may be interested 
in continuing to collect, but who cannot spare the necessary time to 
make a full study of the subject. 
My ideas on the geological formation of the Island were formed, 
and my notes thereon written, before I met with the account given 
by Mr. Darwin, after his short visit to the Island in the Beagle , 
* Since this preface was written, I have, with very great regret, heard of the death of 
Mr. Walker, and I would wish to thank Mr. Janson for kindly correcting the proofs of 
Mr. Walker’s original descriptions. 
