\viil MAMMALOGY OF THE HIMALAYAS. 
is the general solution of this question in the affirmative, as far at least as the great continents of the 
globe are concerned, which renders the Mammalogy of the Himalayas so interesting in this point of 
view. We have here an insulated territory on the confines of the tropic, with a climate varying from the 
most intense heats of the Equator to the greatest rigours of the Pole; and we shall find, in discussing its 
animal inhabitants, that it presents, as it were, an epitome of the Mammalogy of the world; an inter- 
mixture, or rather a succession of species and genera similar to that which we meet in travelling from 
India to Kamtschatka, or from Brazil to Labrador. 
Having thus fully explained the objects, it now only remains for me to acknowledge the sources from 
whence I have derived the materials of the following Memoir. The principal of these has been, of course, 
the Collection of Professor Royle himself, and the few notes, rendered particularly valuable, however, by 
containing the native names and localities, made by that gentleman during his tours. Besides which, the 
extensive Collections of the British Museum, of the Museums of the Zoological Society, the East-India 
Company, and various private collections of less note, which are occasionally made by Officers, and sent 
to their friends in this country, many of which I have had the good fortune to examine, have furnished me 
with valuable materials; whilst the different Notices and Memoirs on Indian Zoology, dispersed through 
the pages of the Asiatic Researches, the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, the Zoological Proceed- 
ings, and other similar publications, have been consulted with the greatest advantage. By carefully 
quoting my authorities, I have invariably taken care to distinguish what I have seen or know myself, 
from what is merely given on the faith of others. Yet with all these resources at my command, I have 
found my materials much too limited to give any thing beyond a mere outline of the Mammalogy of the 
Himalayas; but if this Memoir should prove to be the means of inducing future travellers, or residents, 
in those interesting regions, to fill up the sketch thus imperfectly traced, or assist them to distinguish 
what is already well known, from what still continue to be desiderata, in these inquiries, it will not have 
been without its use. The present time, indeed, is peculiarly favourable for such pursuits. India now 
contains many able and zealous naturalists; and what is not less fortunate, has a Nobleman for its 
Supreme Governor who both understands and can appreciate the value of their pursuits. Drs, Cantor, 
M‘Clelland, and Falconer, are skilful and practised observers; and Mr. Hodgson appears only to want 
access to European libraries and museums, an advantage unfortunately beyond the reach of the Indian 
Naturalist, to illustrate the Mammalogy of Nepal in the most ample and satisfactory manner. 
Before leaving this part of the subject, I shall take the opportunity of offering a few remarks, which 
may be useful to that numerous class of intelligent and educated gentlemen, who are dispersed over every 
part of India; and who, from their taste for field sports and the facilities afforded by their situations, 
have the means of making the most valuable observations in various departments of Natural History ; 
but which are too often neglected, not from any deficiency of zeal or inclination on the part of the 
observers, but from a want of practical experience in observing, from the difficulty of naming and 
describing the animals which fall under their notice, and from not knowing exactly what points to 
attend to. ‘An accurate knowledge of specific differences, however, is by no means indispensable for 
this purpose ; generally speaking, it is sufficient to indicate the affinity of the animal to the most 
approximate European species, and to ascertain its native name, in order to enable the more practised 
Z ole gis to recognize it with sufficient accuracy, especially if the forms of the feet, teeth, ears, &c. be 
arefu ly noted : but the main points to be attended to, and those, unfortunately, which the generality 
of observers most neglect, are the habits and economy of the animals which fall under their notice ; 
their manners, whether aquatic, arborial or terrestrial ; whether they inhabit burrows, or reside among 
thick jungle, or on the naked open plain; whether they live in society or solitary ; ‘the number of 
young which they produce at a birth; their period of gestation; the duration of life; their instincts, 
and 
