Introduction 
xxxv 
one male and one female of Testudo elephantina , and 
one female of Testudo inepta (?). The three Testudo 
daudinii are wild caught specimens from Aldabra Island, 
and are very lively, trying to run away at the least dis¬ 
turbance. The two Testudo elephantina and the supposed 
Testudo inepta are semi-domesticated specimens from the 
Seychelles, are much more sluggish, and do not notice 
outside movements very much. They, however, can travel 
fast enough when they think they are not observed. . . .’ 
Enough has now been said of the extinct fauna of the 
island of Reunion to induce more solid interest to be 
taken in the perusal of an English version of Dubois’ 
simple story. No embellishment has been attempted by 
the translator, whilst the editing has been confined to this 
introduction with a few explanatory notes at the end, 
and extracts from the more scientific papers of the best 
authorities on the subjects dealt with, which are not easy 
to be referred to by the ordinary reader who has not 
access to a library of scientific journals. To those who 
would learn what the modern island of Reunion is like, 
the editor can recommend a small book just published by 
Messrs. Longmans, entitled, Crags and Craters; Rambles 
in the French Island of Reunion , as a practical and 
suggestive sequel to the Voyage of D. B. 
