PREFACE. 



UPWARDS of twenty years have passed since the 

 ' Rifle and Hound in Ceylon ' was published, and I 

 have been requested to write a preface for a new 

 edition. 



Although this long interval of time has been 

 spent in a more profitable manner than simple sport, 

 nevertheless I have added considerably to my former 

 experience of wild animals by nine years passed in 

 African explorations. 



The great improvements that have been made in 

 rifles have, to a certain extent, modified the opinions 

 that I expressed in the ' Rifle and Hound in Ceylon.' 

 Breech-loaders have so entirely superseded the anti- 

 quated muzzle-loader, that the hunter of dangerous 

 animals is possessed of an additional safeguard. 



At the same time I look back with satisfaction to 

 the heavy charges of powder that were used by me 



