PREFACE. 
viii 
In regard to the experiments, little need be added in way of preface, to what will be found 
in the respective Sections. 
The sixth Section contains some experiments on caustics, and other remedies applied to brutes: 
as also an account of an Indian remedy, in high credit in the Carnatic. Mention is made 
likewise of remedies, in which, not having tried them myself, I have done little more than re¬ 
fer to the authors by whom they have been recommended. 
The seventh Section treats of the effects of poisonous bites on the human species. Qualified, 
on this head, to offer very little from my own experience, it would have been satisfactory to 
have had it in my power to collect more from the experience of others. The few cases I have 
produced, and for which I am indebted to friends, will, I trust, be deemed valuable ; and it is 
hoped may prove an inducement to future communications. A complete medical description 
of the disease, in the human body, consequent to the bite of serpents, is a long lamented deside¬ 
ratum in physic, which gentlemen in India have it much in their power to assist in supplying. 
What I have, in this Section, taken the liberty of suggesting on the subject, to the Faculty in that 
country, I am persuaded runs no risk of being construed, in any degree, as presuming to dictate. 
The eighth Section contains miscellaneous experiments on serpents; together with some 
remarks on their poisonous organs. But a more scientific description of these organs, is reserved 
for the Explanation of the Anatomical Plates, by Mr. Everard Home, to whose friendship I am 
indebted for the dissection (in a manner I was unequal to) of several snakes’ heads, brought on 
purpose from India; and who enhanced the obligation, by taking upon himself the care of 
correcting the drawings, as well as the engravings of both Plates. 
From the Prospectus now given of the present publication, it will appear, that a part only of 
the projected design has been executed. It would have been very flattering to the Author, to 
have had it in his power to offer the work in a more complete state ; yet, as a first essay towards 
the improvement of a branch of Zoology, peculiarly interesting to the country where the expe¬ 
riments were made, he flatters himself that, so far as he has been able to execute, will be received 
with indulgence. Errors, whether in the construction of the plan, or in the mode hitherto of 
conducting it, will admit of correction in future; for he indulges the hope, that the plan will not 
only continue to be prosecuted on the coast of Coromandel, but, in time, will be so extended 
as to comprehend the entire tribe of Indian serpents. 
Arrived at an age which admits only of a faint prospect of living to see his wish fulfilled, 
the Author still retains sufficient vigour of mind, not to despair of its future accomplishment. 
The universal inclination to contribute assistance which he experienced abroad, he regards as 
a strong ground of confidence; the propitious disposition of the Direction at home, as a still 
stronger. For not to mention instances of prior date, in respect to History, Geography, Astro¬ 
nomy, and Philology, the present Work is the second on Natural History, which, within these 
eighteen months, owes its public appearance to the liberality of the Court of Directors: and 
there is no reason to doubt the continuation of the same favourable disposition. 
In the mean time, while a prosperous state of the Company’s affairs, ensures the national re¬ 
spect for the administration by which their commercial concerns have been so successfully con¬ 
ducted ; the Literary world will pay its tribute of gratitude for the attention spared to the concerns 
of Science. A certain prospect of meeting with approbation at home, must naturally conduce to 
invigorate that active spirit for research, already disseminated in the Company’s territories; and 
it is to be hoped, that the Asiatic Society of Bengal, though lately depressed by the irreparable 
loss of its much lamented founder, will persist in emulating the example he set, of indefatigable 
application to a variety of liberal pursuits, for the instruction of the Western world: all circum¬ 
stances conspiring, by a fortunate combination, to distinguish the latter half of the eighteenth 
Century, as a splendid era in the annals of the East India Company. 
April 2 d, 1796. 
