INTRODUCTION. 
xi 
places, and those relating to plants and vegetation will 
appear in a future edition of my large work. 
To M. Nietnee, of Colombo, I am likewise indebted 
for many particulars regarding Singhalese Entomology, 
a department to which his attention has been given, 
with equal earnestness and success. 
Through the Hon. Kicbaed Moegan, acting Senior 
Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court at Colombo, I 
have received from his Interpreter, M. D. de Silva 
GtOONEeatne Modliae, a Singhalese gentleman of learn- 
ing and observation, many important notes, of which 
I have largely availed myself, in relation to the wild 
animals, and the folk-lore and superstitions of the 
natives in connection with them. 
Of the latter I have inserted numerous examples ; in 
the conviction that, notwithstanding their obvious errors 
in many instances, these popular legends and traditions 
occasionally embody traces of actual observation, and 
may contain hints and materials deserving of minuter 
inquiry. 
I wish distinctly to disclaim offering the present 
volume as a compendium of the Natural History of 
Ceylon. I present it merely as a " memoire pour 
servir," materials to assist some future inquirer in the 
formation of a more detailed and systematic account of 
the fauna of the island. My design has been to point 
out to others the extreme richness and variety of the 
field, the facility of exploring it, and the charms and 
attractions of the undertaking. I am eager to show 
