4 REMARKS. 



than that attaching to any other, whilst regarding none are there more fal- 

 lacies and erroneous impressions. Few writers have been in a position to 

 deal with the subject in all its branches. ]\Iany sportsmen have shot large 

 numbers of elephants, but have given us little information about their 

 nature, disposition, and habits — matters with which it was at once my duty 

 as a public servant, and my delight as a sportsman, to acquaint myself. 



In the chapters on the other wild animals with which I have dealt I 

 have separated my observations on their habits, and recitals of adventures 

 with them, as I believe that arrangement will be a convenient one for all 

 readers, whether lovers of natural history or of mere tales of adventure. I 

 have endeavoured to select incidents in hunting the various animals illustra- 

 tive of their dispositions and habits ; and thovigh in turning over the leaves 

 of my journal the temptation to introduce more scenes of contest between 

 rifle and wild beast has been considerable, I trust none will complain that 

 my butcher's bill is too long ! 



I have given short accounts of the jungle -tribes with whom I have 

 associated in pursuing their scarcely wilder fellow - inhabitants of the 

 forests ; and as my recitals will be more intelligible when my readers have 

 been introduced to the country in which most of tlie incidents chronicled 

 have occurred, I shall venture to devote a short chapter to a sketch of the 

 province of Mysore. The accompanying map indicates its position in the 

 peninsula of India. 



