vi PREFACE. 



The woodcuts illustrating all four volumes are the work 

 of Mr. P. J. Smit, except in a very few cases, when the 

 origin of the cuts is acknowledged. 



Lastly, I would express a hope that the series of volumes 

 on Indian Vertebrata now concluded may contribute to a 

 fuller knowledge of the animals inhabiting the country and 

 may facilitate the study of them, ancf by so doing fulfil the 

 design with which this work was undertaken. 



W. T. BLANFORD. 



March 1st, 1898. 



