Preface. xiii 



to support the conjecture of a geological formation for 

 the island of Ceylon distinct from that of the mainland 

 of India ; a proposition to which Dr. Falconer is not 

 prepared to accede. 



Having ventured to originate the latter theory, and 

 having sustained it by Schlegel's authority as regards the 

 elephant of Sumatra, I think it is incumbent on me to 

 give becoming prominence to the opposite view en- 

 tertained by one so eminently entitled to consideration as 

 Dr. Falconer. 



In the course of my observations on the structure and 

 functions of the elephant, I have ventured an opinion 

 that an animal of such ponderous and peculiar construc- 

 tion, is formed chiefly for progression by easy and steady 

 paces, and is too weighty and unwieldy to leap, at least 

 to any considerable height or distance. But this opinion 

 I felt bound to advance with reserve, as I had seen 

 in an interesting article in the Colombo Observer for 

 March 1866, descriptive of a recent corral, the state- 

 ment that an infuriated elephant had "fairly leaped ,a 

 barrier 15 feet high, only carrying away the upper cross- 

 beam with a crash." (See p. 40.) Doubtful of some 

 inaccuracy in the measurements, I took the precaution of 

 writing to Mr. Ferguson, the editor, to solicit further 

 enquiry. Since the following pages have been printed, I 

 have received from that gentleman the correction, which 

 I now subjoin. 



