xii PREFACE.
Geography of the whole region; and the last is’ a general
sketch of the Eaces of Man in the Archipelago and the
surrounding countries. With this explanation, and a
reference to the Maps which illustrate the work, I trust
that my readers will always know where they are, and in
what direction they are going.
I am well aware that my hook is far too small for
the extent of the subjects it touches upon. It is a mere
sketch; hut so far as it goes I have endeavoured to make
it an accurate one. Almost the whole of the narrative and
descriptive portions were written on the spot, and have
had little more than verbal alterations. The chapters on
Hatural History, as well as many passages in other parts
of the work, have been written in the hope of exciting an
interest in the various questions connected with the origin
of species and their geographical distribution. In some
cases I have been able to explain my views in detail;
while in others, owing to the greater complexity of the
subject, I have thought it better to confine myself to a
statement of the more interesting facts of the problem,
whose solution is to be found in the principles developed
by Mr. Darwin in his various works. The numerous Illus-
P R E F A C E , X1U
trations will, it is believed, add much to the interest and
value of the book. They have been made from my ; own
sketches, from photographs, or from specimens 5 and such
subjects only have been chosen as would really illustrate
the narrative or the descriptions.
I have to thank Messrs. Walter and Henry Woodbury,
whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making^in
Java, for a number of photographs of scenery and of
natives, which have been of the greatest assistance to me.
Mr. William Wilson Saunders has kindly allowed me to
figure the curious horned flies; and to Mr. Pascoe I
0
am indebted for a loan of two of the very rare Longicorns
which appear in the plate of Bornean beetles. All the
other specimens figured are in my own collection.
As the main object of all my journeys was to obtain
specimens of natural history, both for my private collection
and to supply duplicates to museums and amateurs,11
will give a general statement of the number of specimeils
1 collected, and which reached home in good condition. I
must premise that I generally employed one or two, and
sometimes three Malay servants to assist me ; and for
n e a r l y h a l f the time had the services of an English lad,