PREFACE 
The present volume—an enlargement of that part of 
Dr. A. R Wallace’s “ Australasia ” of the former series 
which deals with the great Malay islands and the 
numberless archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean—has been 
almost entirely re-written, and expanded to nearly twice 
the number of pages previously allotted to the section. 
The aim has been to present as comprehensive a 
view as possible of the regions described, and also 
to give the latest information obtainable. The history 
of the islands has been touched upon, fuller details 
and statistics of their trade afforded, and, lastly, a 
short sketch of the two capitals, Batavia and Manila, 
and of the life and manners of their inhabitants, has 
been added. 
As the volumes are intended for separate sale, the 
Introduction—which is even more needed for this than 
for the first volume—has, with a few slight alterations, 
been retained. 
Thanks are due to Mr. J. J. Lister of St. John’s 
