INTRODUCTION. 



xi 



places, and those relating to plants and vegetation will 

 appear in a future edition of my large work. 



To M. Nietner, 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. Kichard Morgan, acting Senior 

 Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court at Colombo, I 

 have received from his Interpreter, M. D. de Silva 

 GrOONERATNE Modliar, 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 u memoir e 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 



