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. Fairholme, 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 



