P R E F A C E .
“ T he Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa,” which
was established in Cape Town in 1833, found itself (on the return from
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