160 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II., PART II. 



of species comprised by each, are stated in the twelfth 

 chapter of the Suldmani Nikandu. 



According to the natural classification, which it is 

 curious to observe approximates in some points to that of 

 Linnaeus, all things that have life (sivardchi) are divided 

 into four classes (totiam), and these are again sub-divided 

 into as many genera (sdti) and species (petam) as they 

 are known to comprehend. 



The first class, called Sardyucham, includes such as are 

 viviparous, as man, quadrupeds, the bat, the whale, the 

 porpoise, the dolphin, the shark, the ray, &c. 



The second class, called Andackam, comprehends such as 

 are oviparous, as birds, fishes, the snake, the frog, the 

 tortoise, the crocodile, the iguana, the lizard, the chame- 

 lion, &c. 



The third class, called Suvetacham, embraces such as are 

 engendered by heat and damp, as worms, maggots, gnats, 

 fleas, &c 



The fourth class, called Utpicham, comprises such as are 

 germiniparous, as trees and herbs. 



It is a common saying among the Tamils that " from the 

 ant to the elephant there are 84,000,000 species of living 

 creatures," but this is altogether fanciful, and deserves no 

 attention. The Nikandu which I have consulted scarcely 

 exhibit the names of more than 100 species in the animal 

 and 500 in the vegetable kingdom. It should, however, be 

 observed that these works do not mention all the animals 

 and vegetables known to the Tamils ; and for the greater 

 part confine themselves only to such as are noticed by the 

 ancient poets. 



The quadrupeds are distinguished as follows : — 



1. KurincMnila-vilankUj or those that live in the hilly 



country, such as the lion, the tiger, the elephant, the 



bear, &c. 



