Vlll 
INTRODUCTION. 
" The sections descriptive of the several classes are 
accompanied by lists, prepared with the assistance of 
scientific friends, showing the extent to which each par- 
ticular branch had been investigated by naturalists, up 
to the period of my departure from Ceylon at the close 
of 1849. These, besides their inherent interest, will, I 
trust, stimulate others to engage in the same pursuit, 
by exhibiting chasms, which it remains for future in- 
dustry and research to fill up; — and the study of the 
zoology of Ceylon may thus serve as a preparative for 
that of Continental India, embracing, as the former 
does, much that is common to both, as well as possess- 
ing a fauna peculiar to the island, that in itself will 
amply repay more extended scrutiny. 
** From these lists have been excluded all species 
regarding the authenticity of which reasonable doubts 
could be entertained \ and of some of them, a very few 
have been printed in italics, in order to denote the 
desirability of more minute compaiison with well-de- 
termined specimens in the great national depositories 
before finally incorporating them with the Singhalese 
catalogues. 
(t In the labour of collecting and verifying the facts 
embodied in these sections, I cannot too warmly ex- 
press my thanks for the aid I have received from 
gentlemen interested in similar studies in Ceylon : from 
1 An exception occurs in the list lities are doubtful have been ad- 
of shells, prepared by Mr. Sylvanus mitted for reasons adduced. (See 
Hanley, in which some whose loca- p. 387.) 
