X 
INTRODUCTION. 
arrival, I profited by every occasion afforded to me for 
observing the elephant in a state of nature, and obtain- 
ing from hunters and natives correct information as to 
its ceconomy and disposition. Anecdotes in connection 
with this subject, I received from some of the most 
experienced residents in the island; amongst others, 
from Major Skinner, Captain Philip Payne Gallwey, 
Mr. Faikholme, Mr. Cripps, and Mr. Morris. Nor can 
I omit to express my acknowledgments to Professor 
Owen, of the British Museum, to whom this portion of 
my manuscript was submitted previous to its committal 
to the press." 
To the foregoing observations I have little to add 
beyond my acknowledgment to Dr. Albert Gtunther, of 
the British Museum, for the communication of im- 
portant facts in illustration of the ichthyology of Ceylon, 
as well as of the reptiles of the island. 
Mr. Blyth, of the Calcutta Museum, has carefully 
revised the Catalogue of Birds, and supplied me with 
much useful information in regard to their geographical 
distribution. To his experienced scrutiny is due the 
perfected state in which the list is now presented. It 
will be seen, however, from the italicised names still 
retained, that inquiry is far from being exhausted. 
Mr. Thwaites, the able Director of the Eoyal Botanic 
Gardens at Peradenia, near Kandy, has forwarded to me 
many valuable observations, not only in connection with 
the botany, but the zoology of the mountain region. 
The latter I have here embodied in their appropriate 
