Lieut.-Colonel Du Cane says in his preface to the first volume of the “Register”:――“It is, I believe, the first time that an attempt has been made to furnish all the police of this or any other country with information in such a complete and readily accessible form respecting the individuals of the class against whom they are carrying on their operations, and the first time that such a work has been carried out in a prison.” The latest attempt, however, is to checkmate and deal with the habitual criminal in the register of their “Distinctive Marks and Peculiarities.” The name only has proved an uncertain means of tracing their antecedents. It is found, however, that many of these people bear about with them some mark or peculiarity, which answers much better. Thus of 2914 persons who were liberated in 1876 nearly one-half were indelibly stamped in this way, and this information is now carefully arranged in the new register. A thief may assume any name he pleases――the chances are about even that he is ear-marked, and known more certainly than by name. This register is a curiously interesting production. The first issue shows who are “deaf,” “very deaf,” “men of colour,” “blind of one or both eyes,” those who squint, or have a “glide,” or a “cast” in their organs of vision. Twenty-five per cent. have “broken, or crooked noses,” and a few have “their ears slit.” The mania for tattooing, which it will be remembered even the “Claimant” was not free from, exists largely among thieves. There is first of all the “D,” (deserter from the army), which occurs very frequently, two “D’s” almost equally so; some have even three “B C’s,” (bad characters) appearing on the left sides, of a sufficient number to justify the conclusion that a bad soldier is often something more. The variety of marks upon the chest is very extensive. Sometimes they are the initials of the owner’s name, or of his sweetheart’s. The presence of the Union Jack is presumed to indicate patriotism of some sort. Here and there occur a ship in full sail, the masonic emblems of square and compass, and a few adopt such mottoes as _Dieu et mon droit_, “Now or Never,” and so on. The arms are extensively used for this kind of art, every fourth criminal being tattooed with some device. The variety indeed is almost endless, and the extent in some cases enough to make a Maori jealous. The sun and moon figure over and over again; anchors, fishes, mermaids, and hearts (pierced with Cupid’s arrow and other devices) are also frequent. Then there are flags, swords, guns, and implements of war in abundance. Among other devices we come upon such as “Mary.” “In Memory of My Parents,” &c., &c. The hand is very fruitful in its “particularities,” and the legs are laid under contribution in the same way.