These, besides their inherent interest, will, I trust, stimulate others to engage in the same pursuits, by exhibiting the chasms, which it still remains for future industry 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 possessing within itself a fauna peculiar to the island, that will amply repay more extended scrutiny.
From these lists have been excluded all species regarding the authenticity of which reasonable doubts could be entertained[1], and of some of them, a very few have been printed in _italics_, in order to denote the desirability of comparing them more minutely with well determined specimens in the great national depositories before finally incorporating them with the Singhalese catalogues.
[Footnote 1: An exception occurs in the list of shells, prepared by Mr.
SYLVANUS HANLEY, in which some whose localities are doubtful have been admitted for reasons adduced.

(See Vol.

I, p.

234.)] In the labour of collecting and verifying the facts embodied in these sections, I cannot too warmly express my thanks for the aid I have received from gentlemen interested in similar pursuits in Ceylon: from Dr.KELAART and Mr.EDGAR L.LAYARD, as well as from officers of the Ceylon Civil Service; the HON.

GERALD C.TALBOT, Mr.C.E.BULLER, Mr.
MERCER, Mr.MORRIS, Mr.WHITING, Major SKINNER, and Mr.MITFORD.
Before venturing to commit these chapters of my work to the press, I have had the advantage of having portions of them read by Professor HUXLEY, Mr.MOORE, of the East India House Museum; Mr.R.PATTERSON, F.R.S., author of the _Introduction to Zoology_, and by Mr.ADAM WHITE, of the British Museum; to each of whom I am exceedingly indebted for the care they have bestowed.