Along with them I have incorporated facts illustrative of the national character of the Singhalese under the conjoint influences of their ancestral superstitions and the partial enlightenment of education and gospel truth.
[Footnote 1: _Christianity in Ceylon: its Introduction and Progress under the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British and American Missions; with an Historical Sketch of the Brahmanical and Buddhist Superstitons_ by Sir JAMES EMERSON TENNENT.

London, Murray, 1850.] Respecting the _Physical Geography_ and _Natural History_ of the colony, I found an equal want of reliable information; and every work that even touched on the subject was pervaded by the misapprehension which I have collected evidence to correct; that Ceylon is but a fragment of the great Indian continent dissevered by some local convulsion; and that the zoology and botany of the island are identical with those of the mainland.[1] [Footnote 1: It may seem presumptuous in me to question the accuracy of Dr.DAVY'S opinion on this point (see his _Account of the Interior of Ceylon, &c_., ch.iii.p.

78), but the grounds on which I venture to do so are stated, Vol.

I.pp.7, 27, 160, 178, 208, &c.] Thus for almost every particular and fact, whether physical or historical, I have been to a great extent thrown on my own researches; and obliged to seek for information in original sources, and in French and English versions of Oriental authorities.

The results of my investigations are embodied in the following pages; and it only remains for me to express, in terms however inadequate, my obligations to the literary and scientific friends by whose aid I have been enabled to pursue my inquiries.
Amongst these my first acknowledgments are due to Dr.TEMPLETON, of the Army Medical Staff, for his cordial assistance in numerous departments; but above all in relation to the physical geography and natural history of the island.