crayfish, crabs, and all their minor congeners. The _polypi, echini,
asterias_, and other _radiata_ of the coast, as well as the _acalephæ_
of the deeper waters, have shared the same neglect: and literally
nothing has been done to collect and classify the infusoriæ and minuter
zoophytes, the labours of Dr. Kelaart amongst the Diatomaceæ being the
solitary exception.

[Footnote 1: Commonly called "harvest-men."]

Nothing is so likely to act as a stimulant to future research as an
accurate conception of what has already been achieved. With equal
terseness and truth Dr. Johnson has observed that the traveller who
would bring back knowledge from any country must carry knowledge with
him at setting out: and I am not without hope that the demonstration I
now venture to offer, of the little that has already been done for
zoology in Ceylon, may serve to inspire others with a desire to resume
and complete the inquiry.

J. EMERSON TENNENT

London: November 1st, 1861.




CONTENTS.

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