Faunas of Oceanic Islands

Abstract

In NATURE, of February 16, I observe the reviewer of Mr. Godman's “Natural History of the Azores,” makes the following statement:— “Mr. Godman appears to be the first who has, after a personal exploration of one of these oceanic groups, endeavoured to collect all that is known of its natural productions.” Now, it is not with the intention of detracting from the merits of Mr. Godman's work, but merely to refresh the memory of your reviewer, that I beg to state, that I published in 1859 a small volume entitled “The Naturalist in Bermuda,” which contained all that was known of the natural productions of those islands at that date. It was by no means a complete essay, but as stated in the preface “merely a prelude to a more complete publication on the same subject, which anticipated work, the result of several visits to the group, I hope to present to public notice shortly.