PREFACE. 
“ The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa,” which 
was established in Cape Town in 1833, found itself (on the return tiom 
the interior, in December 1836, of an expedition which it had despatched 
eighteen months before) in possession of an extensive and varied collection 
of objects of Natural History, many of which were new to science, and many 
others, though not new, comparatively little known. The Society, mindful 
of its original object,— the promotion of knowledge,— immediately resolved 
that descriptions and figures of the new and other objects of particular 
interest should, if possible, be published ; the more especially as beautiful 
representations of all had been made by Mr. Ford, from specimens either 
living or recently dead. Desirable as this appeared, the Association saw little 
prospect of its being effected without some pecuniary assistance; they 
therefore determined to seek the support of the Home Government, and 
authorized me to wait on Lord Glenelg, on my arrival in England, and 
represent to his Lordship the views of the Association, and how desirous its 
members were that the ample stores they possessed should be employed in 
the advancement of knowledge. His Lordship, after having satisfied himself 
that the publication contemplated might fairly be expected to promote the 
interest of science, recommended the Lords of the Treasury to aid the 
