INTRODUCTION. 



The present is the first part of a general work, compiled for the 

 Government, and published under its authority, on the Fauna of 

 British India and its dependencies. A few details respecting this 

 larger work may serve as a preface to the introductory observations 

 on the Mammalia. 



The large additions made to our knowledge of Indian Zoology 

 during the period, now about a quarter of a century, that has 

 elapsed since the appearance of Jerdon's ' Birds ' and ' Mammals ' 

 and Giinther's ' Reptiles ' have for some time rendered it desiz'able 

 that a new series of descriptive manuals should be prepared. The 

 Secretary of State for India in Council, upon the recommendation 

 of the Government of India, gave his sanction, in 1883, to a plan 

 for the preparation of the works most urgently required, and en- 

 trusted the editorship of the series to the present writer. From 

 various causes the appearance of the work has been delayed, but 

 it is 'hoped that the principal difficulties have now been overcome. 



For the present, it is proposed to restrict the publication to the 

 Vertebrata, and to complete the work in seven volumes of about 

 500 pages each. One of these volumes will contain the Mammals 

 (the present issue is only a half-volume), three will be required 

 for the Birds, one for iieptiles and Batracbians, and two for 

 Fishes. 



The authorship of the volumes on Fishes has been undertaken 

 by Mr. F. Day, CLE., Deputy Surgeon-General, author of the 

 'Fishes of India'; the Keptilia and Batrachia will be desci'ibed 

 by Mr. G. A. Boulenger, author of the recently publislied British- 

 Museum Catalogues of Batrachia and Lizards ; whilst the Birds 

 will, it is hoped, be taken in hand by Mr. E. W. Gates, author 

 of the ' Birds of British Burmah.' The Mammals remain- to be 



