PREFACE. 
y 
Besides die Serpents exhibited in the present Fasciculus, several have 
lately arrived from Bombay and Madras, and intelligence of several others 
has been received from sundry places, which may be expected in due time. 
A second Fasciculus may probably, therefore, appear early next year. 
Where a specimen comes accompanied with a description and drawing, 
the Editor’s duty will be restricted merely to correcting the press: nor will 
more be required for such facts or experiments as may be communicated in a 
form for immediate publication. In regard to medical cases of persons bitten, 
if related at length, it is proposed that brief mention of them should only be 
made in the Fasciculi; reserving the detail for an Appendix, where they can 
be arranged more advantageously for comparison with similar cases already 
collected. Of this kind, which justly deserve to be preserved, several have 
lately appeared in the India Newspapers, and in the printed correspondence 
of the Physician-General at Madras. 
A description of the poisonous apparatus in Serpents, as also the result of 
some experiments made in India on their poison, may be found in the Coro- 
mandel Collection ; and, to avoid repetition, the Editor takes the liberty of 
referring for other preliminary matters, to the Preface of that work, which is 
equally adapted to the present Continuation. 
To conclude : it is with singular satisfaction he has remarked the subject 
of Serpents, within these last three years, to have been revived in India; 
and, from the abilities of many Gentlemen at present in that country, he 
is disposed to indulge strong hopes that the favourable opportunity now 
offered by the Court of Directors, will not be allowed to pass away unre- 
garded ; that inquiries will continue to be prosecuted with spirit ; and that 
a too long neglected branch of Indian Natural History may soon, by united 
exertions, be highly improved: an event no less interesting to other tropical 
climates, than to the territories of the East India Company. 
London, August 2,0th, 1801 . 
