with occasional observations on attendant population, culture and fashion, prepared at the behest of Desmond Shang, fair ruler of the Independent State of Caledon
by Miss Mylinn Ofeq
Preface
The following chapters, while brief, contain information clearly valuable to historians, natural scientists, missionaries, educators and rulers alike. The average person may find titillation after enduring long sections of survey material but, casual reader, be warned. The occasional and dry observations noted within concerning the beings and unusual sights are brief and intended for scholarly use only. They are not regular, comprehensive or substantial as the natural focus of my investigations were upon the vitally important geography, defensible regions and usable structure therein. This is not one of the texts by Huntington meant to provide "a source of mental diversion and entertainment." (1)
Little is know of the mainland and it's savage population save the certain knowledge that it is quite different from our homeland. Few of quality and social standing have ventured there. Sailors tales are unreliable if only because one must ply them with strong drink in order to hear one. Captains of ships, while sometimes proper and well mannered, may not have the breeding or education required to fully appreciate what they see nor oratory sufficient to explain.
Criticism can be directed at my person and this very text. I have a certain lack of education, being female and largely self taught. Experience dealing with any part of such a vital survey should be presumed to be none as I have yet to publish writings of my own. To this I answer, my beloved Father, an eminent scientist and his weekly conclaves with Scholars of similar and dissimilar mind were my earliest bedtime stories. A life long passion for reading, an insatiable curiosity and apt mind are my strongest qualifications for this survey.
The aim of the present work is to provide a basic reference to the mentioned Sims for future travelers, interested parties and scholars alike who will hopefully be perform comprehensive exploration and study. To this end, the volume contains an account of vegetation, outcroppings, general contours of the land and non-natural structures visible to one walking past. As custom and culture are still largely unknown, little effort was made to survey the interior of most structures. Accompanying each chapter are still photographs, hand drawings, paintings and the occasional graph. Maps are provided in the most general sense so mentioned features can be easily located in future.
A system of Nomenclature and Classification does not as yet exist for much Mr. Buchanan and myself witnessed. The Royal Society and any other groupings of scientists are encouraged to formulate a scheme to remedy this. Samples were obtained wherever possible and are available upon request. Donation of said resources is being arranged to enable a wider audience access. Inquiry, understanding and therefore knowledge cannot exist without the friendly co-operation of many Scholars from many fields.
The writer is under great obligations to some for their assistance before and after the Great Expedition. Mr. Buchanan and the crew of his airship are to be commended for unswerving dedication, hospitality and friendship. The entirety of the Royal Society for the Advancement of Knowledge in the Natural Sciences has my loyalty and gratitude for their support, advice and their labours.
(1) Old textbooks: spelling, grammar, reading, arithmetic, geography, American history, civil government, physiology, penmanship, art, music, as taught in the common schools from colonial days to 1900. Author: Nietz, John Alfred, 1888-1970, p 198
