INTRODUCTION. 
IX 
Dr. Kelaart 1 and Mr. Edgar L. Layard, as well as 
from officers of the Ceylon Civil Service ; the Hon. 
Gerald C. Talbot, Mr. C. E. Buller, Mr. Mercer, 
Mr. Morris, Mr. Whiting, Major Skinner, and Mr. 
MlTFORD. 
" Before venturing to commit these chapters of my 
work to the press, I have had the advantage of having 
portions of them read by Professor Huxley, Mr. Moore, 
of the East India House Museum ; Mr. E. Patterson, 
F.R.S., author of the Introduction to Zoology ; and by 
Mr. Adam White, of the British Museum ; to each of 
whom I am exceedingly indebted for the care they have 
bestowed. In an especial degree I have to acknowledge 
the kindness of Dr. J. E. GrRAY, F.E.S., for valuable 
additions and corrections in the list of the Ceylon Eep- 
tilia ; and to Professor Faraday for some notes on the 
nature and qualities of the " Serpent Stone," 2 submitted 
to him. 
" The extent to which my observations on the Ele- 
phant have been carried, requires some explanation. 
The existing notices of this noble creature are chiefly 
devoted to its habits and capabilities in captivity ; and 
very few works, with which I am acquainted, contain 
illustrations of its instincts and functions when wild 
in its native woods. Opportunities for observing the 
latter, and for collecting facts in connection with them, 
are abundant in Ceylon ; and from the moment of my 
1 It is with deep regret that I accomplished gentleman, which oc- 
haye to record the death of this curred in 1860. 2 See p. 312. 
