Page:Fayrer - The Thanatophidia of India, 1872.djvu/8

 and describing the genera and species ; and also to Mr. Seeva, late Osteologist of the Indian Museum, for his constant and unwearying aid in conducting the various experiments. For permission to examine and figure several rare specimens, I am indebted to the Trustees of the Indian Museum. Mr. Richards/ Civil Surgeon, of Bancoorah; Mr. Stewart, Civil Surgeon, of Pooree; Major MacMahon, Deputy Commissioner of Delhi; the Rev. Mr. Winton, of Rangoon; Mr. Galiffe, of Calcutta; Dr. Shortt, of Madras; Dr. W. B* Beatson, of Nagpore, and others, have procured for me living or dead specimens of the rarer forms of the poisonous snakes, favoured me with the results of their experiments, and spared themselves no trouble in sending me contributions which have been most valuable, and for which I return them my best thanks.

I have also to express my acknowledgments to Professors Chevers, Partridge, Ewart, Palmer, Cutcliffe, for the devotion of much of their valuable time to witnessing and attesting the experiments; and to Professor C. Macnamara and Messrs. Lewis and Cunningham, of H.M.S., for their microscopic examinations of the blood of the poisoned animals.

To Mr. A. Grote I am also deeply indebted for much valuable counsel in all matters connected with the production of this work; to Babu Rajendralala Mitra, of Calcutta, for supervising the Sanscrit, Bengalli, or other Indian terms ; and to Dr. F. C. Webb, of London, for his cordial assistance in conducting the work through the Press.

The illustrations were executed at the School of Art in Calcutta. They are all from nature, most from life itself. To Mr. Locke, the Principal of the Institution, and to his talented pupils, I am indebted for a series of drawings which are as faithful to the originals as they are creditable to the artists and the Institution.

Whilst I believe I have omitted no Indian venomous snake of any importance in my description, I am sensible that there must still be many omissions. But should the result of my investigations prove of service to science and to the Indian public generally, I shall feel satisfied that neither the observation and work of three years, nor the sacrifice of much animal life has been thrown away.

This work had been completed, and was about to issue from the Press, when the great calamity occurred which deprived India of its Viceroy and its people of their ruler and friend. I dedicate it to his memory.