The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-12-03
F)aitu BuTurti"
Pieaged 10 neither Sect nor Parry,
BIT esta6hshed for tie 5enehl of all.
THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 1891.
A SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE.


of Science, a communication that
special committee had been appointed
by the British Association and the
Royal Society, to investigate the
Zoology of these Islands, and solicit
ing the assistance of the government.
The Hon. j. A. Cummins, then Min
lister of Foreign Affairs, replied that
there were no government funds
available for such purpose, but
suggested that, perhaps, the addi-
tional amount required to send out
competent geological collector might
be obtained by private subscriptions,
provided that the Hawaiian Museum
were proportionately benefited. The
result has been the issuance of the
following circular:
GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE HA-
WAllAN ISLANDS.
(Preliatinory Cucatar.)
The solitary position of the islands
of the Hawaiian Kingdom, placed as
they are 2300 miles from the nearest
continental land, renders them to
scientific naturalsts one of the most
interesting parts of the world.
1t has been long known that these
islands Notwithstanding their remote
position are blessed with luXuriant
and varied vegetation, and that birds,
insects and shells, such as are to be
found in no other parts of the world,
inhabit their forests and hills and
desire has been felt TO make as COM
plete an acquaintance as possible with
even the smallest and most obscure
of the native creatures of these hap
PLY situated but isolated points of
land. But only very incomplete
knowledge of them has yet been
obtained.
1t is now understood that there is
great danger of many, if not all, of
these creatures ceasing to exist,
owing to the increase of cultivation,
consequent destruction of the abort
ginal forests, and to other changes in
the natural conditions of animal ex-
istence; and it is thought to be 9
duty to attempt to obtain specimens
for study and for preservation in
Museums before it be too late.
For these reasons committee has
been appointed partly by the British
Association for the Advancement Of
Science and partly by the Royal So
ciety of London, to report on thu
present state of our knowledge O.
the zoology of the Hawaiian Archi
pelago and to take steps to remedy
its deficiencies the undersigned being
members of the committee.
AS the only way of carrying out
the latter part of its duty satisfac
torily the Committee would like t(
be in position to send to the isl
ands skiful collector to travel il
them and procure specimens of al
the animals he may be able to detect
and it invites the assistance of resi-
dents in the islands and of Others tC
enable it to carry out this project
The travelling TO and fro, the move
ments of the collector in the islands
his maintenance and remuneration
and the other expenses in which 1t il
likely the Committee will find itsel
involved, render it desirable that i
should have at its disposal sum Of
f6OO (say $3000) to defray the ex
penditure for one year. If sum o
f300 (say Sl500) can be raised il
the Hawaiian Kingdom, to be ex
pended by the collector in the islands
in the prosecution of his researches
the Committee will find the remain
der of the sum necessary for its pur
poses in addition to getting the oh
iects that may be procured, eXamin
ed, reported on and described b.
competent authorities.
Although it is impossible for tn
Committee to say at present wha
period of time may be required for thl
geological exploration Of the island
yet ii is extremely probable that on
year will not suffice for the purpose
and it would he very desirable tina
the Committee should be in a pos
ton to continue the exploration ft
at any rate a second year If this b
found necessary; consequently I'll
Committee would be highly please
; if u second sum of f300 (say $1,000
could be promised to IL in the eVeI
of It's being found requisite for
second years exploration,
1t the Committee receive the a
sistance il hopes for from the III
waian Kingdom Il is proposed th'
the specimens procured shall
divided helween the Committee an
the authorities Of the Bishop Men
orlal Museum Of the Hawaiian knl
dom, and also that there toe sent
the Kingdom for distribution such
number as il is thought may be Us
, lul there Of the memoirs and repof
that may be published anent The :
suits 0f the exploration,
", I Rlantard, llena F,k ),
" II Flower thr SCI
LIB n.C,le, FRS Director