PREFACE. 



The first Guide to the Colombo Museum for the use of visitors 

 was compiled by Mr. Amyrald Haly in 1886 ; a second abridged 

 edition of it was printed in 1895 ; and Dr. Arthur Willey, F.R.S., 

 issued an enlarged thii-d edition, containing illustrations, in 1905. 



The present accomit corresponds to a fourth edition, but the 

 addition of a new wing and the rapid growth of the collections in 

 the last seven years have made it impossible to adequately describe 

 the collections in the limits of a small handbook. It has been 

 thought advisable therefore to issue two separate guide books, one 

 dealing with the archaeological and ethnological exhibits on the 

 grornid floor, and another describing the natural history collections 

 and the geological exhibits which occupy the upper floor of the 

 Museum. The present guide is concerned with the former, and it 

 is hoped to issue the second part, dealmg with the natural history 

 galleries, in the course of a few months. 



The present Guide is more profusely illustrated than the third 

 edition. Most of the blocks are new, and have been made from 

 photographs taken by Dr. Andreas Nell. 



As a necessary preliminary to the production of this Guide the 

 entire collections have been re-arranged. It is hoped that with the 

 advent of the west wing the overcrowding, which is inevitable at 

 present, will be obviated. 



The production of this Guide has been rendered possible by the 

 generous co-operation of the following gentlemen : Mr. Pauil Pieris, 

 M.A., LL.M., C.C.S., who has contributed articles on ivories, arms, 

 Maldivian exhibits, jewellery, coins, betel boxes, and domestic 

 appliances ; Mr. Arthur de Selva, who made himself responsible 

 for the collections of charms, masks, and the instruments used m 

 ceremonies ; Mi\ A. M. Gunasekara, Mudaliyar, who has ^Titten 

 on the ola manuscripts ; Mr. E. W. Perera, who has described 

 the Sinhalese banners ; Mr. Gerard A. Joseph, Secretary and 

 Librarian of the Museum, who has written on archaeological stone 

 remains, bronzes, economic products of the coconut and palmyra 

 palms, ancient and modem pottery, fishing appliances, games, 

 and some of the domestic appliances ; and Dr. Andreas Nell, to 

 whom I am indebted for a large series of photographs from which the 

 illustrations of this Guide have been selected. 



JOSEPH PEARSON, 

 November, 1912. Director. 



