PROCEEDINGS ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL. _ EDITED BY THE GENERAL SECRETARY. JANUARY to DECEMBER, 186 8, CALCUTTA : PRINTED BY C. B. LEWIS, BAPTIST MISSION PRESS. 1868. <, ) —, ¥ -~ - i ~ ™ . oe ths hs wee ef) ee yiiet i oe yee a ly ent 7 , wi ¢ e - . * zi % a > %s Ae) ’ - ac ti r r " 4 - PY ae ot ie = = v5 “Pe re eRe EF ve ks Fg | Ate ‘= ; ; ‘! - v4 id uF i ~ < ® ” eae 7 7 = d Sykes : kd cr Ty be . s ‘ pt y us g10%3 £0, A - fe & aire | j a - ; - = ‘ ae d A i nl r * as < a 38) eagsek! ald (At IE id Boot ar a: : ¥ by, < ; y fees o ow - ut LY as rie cb Be BTS bed) Sue ate BUGS 7. * , 7 : a ™ = ‘ oa) me ’ ithe: : - yy sie bg ee Ns Se ' a - »'t fe 7 | s i Tae a : y, Pro OC Beatie for J anuary, 1868, ... List of Sanscrit MSS. purchased, ... jist of Members for 1867, Se Proceedings for February, 1868, act 3 Do. for March, 1868, ... Do. for April, 1868, Ne D for May, 1868, pais Do. for June, 1868, LL Do. for July, 1868, Do. for August, 1868, ie tatement of Accounts for 1867, ceedings for September, 1868, ~ Do. for October, 1868, Do. - for November, 1868, ... a ~~ for December, 1868, of Papers received. App. L. 4 | of Donations, App. IT, CONTENTS. 105 123 137 159 181 207 207 227 249 260 LIST OF PLATES. Plate No. I., issued in May, for p. 116. Plate No. am issued i in June, for p. 152. Plate No. TIL, issued i in August, for p. 185. Plate No. TY. “issued i in September, for p. 212. Plate No. x; Pate in September, for p. 218. ERRATA. Te 66, foot note for Hetewopodous read Heteropodous. © nt Res for Macgillioragiide read Macgillivrayiide. ] see ‘for Simesigera Dbil read Stnusigera, D' Orb. 126, line 25, read HE. Buck, for E. Busk. 203, line 4 from below, read Pultusk, for Pultush. 5) ——, line 10 from below, read cord, for end. LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, ON THE 31st DecEmBeER, 1867. LIST OF ORDINARY MEMBERS. RAAB ADAP LDL LILI LLL DAD AL LIL The * distinguishes Non-Subscribing and the ¢ Non-Resident Members. | Date of Election. 1847 June 2. | *Abbott, Major-Genl. J., Royal Artillery. Kurope 1860 Dec. 5.| Abdool Lutcef, KhanBahadur, Mau- lavi. Calcutta 1865 June 7.| Agabeg. J. Esq. Calcutta 1860 July 4. |+Ahmad Khan. Saiéd, Bahadur. Allyghur 1862 April 2. | +Aitchison, C. U. Hsq. C. 8. Lahore 1862 April 4. | *Aitchison, J. E. T. Esq. M. D. Kurope 1859 Feb. 2. | *Alabaster, C. Esq. China 1866 Jan. tw + Allen, Major A S. Lucknow 1852 July 7. | *Allen, C. Esq., B.C. S. Europe 1864 May 4./|+Alexander, N.S. Esq., C. S. Purneah 1867 Aug. 7. | tAmery, C. F. Esq Tubose 1860 Oct. 38./ Amir Ali Khan, Munshi. Calcutta 1861 May 1.| Anderson, Dr. T., F. L. 8. Calcutta 1865 Jan. 11. | +Anderson, Dr. J., F.L. 8. — Birmah 1843 Sept. 4. | +Anderson, Lieut.-Col. W., Bengal Artillery. Lahore 1866 July 4.|+Anderson, A. Esq. Fyzabad 1864 Dec. 7. | *Anderson, W. Hsq. Europe 1860 Nov. 7.| tAnley, W. A. D., Esq. Sarun 1867 Jan. 16.| Anley, G. A. D Esq. Caleuthe 1861 Sept. 4.| Asghur Ali Khan Tubakar Nawab. Calcutta 1861 July 3. * Asphar, J.J. T. H. Esq. Europe 1864 Dec. ce + Atkinson, H. ee: Ts Esq. Jaunpore 1855 July 4,) Atkinson, W.S. Hsq., M. A.,F.L.S. | Calcutta 1861 Feb. 6.| tAusten, Capt. H. H. G, H. M.’s| © 24th Foot, Surv. Genl.’s Dept. | Chirapunji — 1826 Sept. 6.| Avdall, J. Esq. Calcutta Date of Biection. 1835 Oct. 7. | *Baker, Col. W. E., Bengal Engineers. | Europe 1865 Nov. 1.| Ball, V. Esq. Geol. Survey. Calcutta 1860 Nov. 7.| Banerjea, The Rev. K. M. Calcutta 1864 May 4.| Barry, Dr. J. B. Calcutta 1866 Jan. 17.| Barton, The Rev. J. Calcutta 1862 Aug. 6.| +Basevi, Capt.J.P., Royal Engineers. | Chiculdah . Hlichpore | 1860 July 4.| *Batten, G. H. M. Hsq., B. OC. 8. Kurope | 1838 Jan. 3.| *Batten, J. H. Esq., B. C. S. Kurope 1859 May 41] Bayley, E. C. Esq., B. C.S. Calcutta 1861 Feb. 6.|*Bayley, S. C. Esq., B.C. S. Calcutta 1849 June 6.| *Beadon, The Hon’ble Sir Cecil, B. CG. 8: , Europe 1864 Sept. 7. | +Beames, J. Hsq., B. C. S. Balasore 1841 April 7.| Beaufort, F. L. Esq., B. C. S. Calcutta 1861 Sept. 4.|*Beavan, Lieut. R. C., late 62nd | | BLN. 1. Abyssinia | 1847 Aug. 4.) Beckwith, J. Esq., Alipore | 1867 July 3. | tBelletty, N. A. Esq., Civil Assistant | Shillong t eure: : Khasia Hills | 1830 Sept. 1.| *Benson, Lieut.-Col. R. Europe | 1862 Dec. 8.| Bernard, C. HE. Esq., B. C. 8. Nagpore | 1862 Aug. 6.| Beverley, H. Esq., C. S. Calcutta | 1862 June 4. | +Bhau Daji, Dr. Bombay. __ | 1862 July 2.} Bholanath Mullick, Babu. Calcutta, 1864 Nov. 2.| Bhoodeb Mookerjea, Babu. Chinsurah 1840 July 15. | *Birch, Major-General Sir R. J. H., K. C. B. Hurope 1846 Mar. 4.| *Blagrave, Major T. C., 26th Regt., | , B. N. I. HKurope | 1859 Sept. 7.| Blane, Lieut.-Col. 8. J. Calcutta Mar. 4.|} Blanford, H. F. Hsq., A. R. S. M., ie F..G.8: Calcutta 1859 Aug. 3.; *Blanford, W. T. Esq., A. R. S. M., ie. F.G.S Geol. Surv. Abyssinia | 1864 April 6.| Blochmann, H. Esq., M.A. Calcutta 1857 Aug. 2.| *Bogle, Lieut.-Col. Sir A., Kt. Kurope 1859 Aug. 3.) Bolie, Chand Singh, Babu. Calcutta 1866 June 6.| Bourke, W. M. Esq. Calcutta 1867 May 1.) +Bonavia, M. M. Esq., M. D. Asst. < Surg | Lucknow “1859 Oct. 12.) +Bowring, L. B. Esq., B. C. 8. Bangalore 1854 Nov. 1.| *Boycott, Dr. T., B. M. 8. Rurope 1865 May 3.| +Bradford, C. W. V. Esq. Hoogly 1860 Mar. 7.| Brandis, Dr. D. | Calcutta 1860 Oct. 3.) Brandreth, Hon’ble J. H. L. Calcutta Date of miccuvn. 1864 1862 1866 1847 1867 1866 1860 1866 1866 1856 1867 1867 1860 1859 1863 1860 1865 1867 1860 1867 1863 1863 1864 1861 1862 1851 1860 1857 1866 ? 1866 1861 1867 1867 1866 1862 1847 1861 1865 1861 1864 July Feb. Dee.’*T; Jan. 15. April. 4. June 2. Feb. 6. sam LT, Nov. June June Sept. Sept. June June Sept. June Jan. Nov. Dec. Oct. Dec. Aug. April May Sept. April Mar. Dec. Mar. April June Mar. May Nov. SRE EDS Ha teen ee oN = SOT FR C0 ee eh ie bio ee, ee weld oe eae OR at Branson, J. H. A. Esq. *Briggs, Lieut.-Col. D. +Broderick, H. C. Esq., M. D. *Brodie, Capt. T., 5th Regt., B. N. I. Brooke, Col. J, C. +Brown, Lieut.-Col. D. +Browne, Capt. Horace. A. + Brownfield, C. Esq. Buckle, Dr. H. B., C. B. Busheerooddin, Sultan Mohammad. +Butler, Lieut. J. Calcutta, Right Rev., Lord Bishop. +Campbell, C. J. Esq., C. E. *Campbell, Dr. A. +Campbell, Hon’ble G. +Carnac, H. Rivett, Hsq., B.C. S. +Carnegy, P. Esq, Chambers, F J. Esq. +Christian, J. Esq: Chisholm, J. W. Esq. - +Chunder Nath Roy, Cowar. Cleghorn, Dr. H. fCline, Dr. G. W., F. G. S., LL. D. +Cockburn, J. F. Esq., C. EH. Colles, J. A. P. Esq., M. D. *Colvin, J. H. B. Esq., B. C. S. *Cooper, F. H. Esq., B. C. S. *Cowell, EH. B. Esq , M. A. *Cox, W. H. Esq. Crawford, J. A. Esq., C. S. *Crockett, Oliver R. Esq. Croft, A.W. Ksq., + Curran, Ree Esq., L. R: Cease Ji Ree. tDaly, N. Esq. *Dalrymple, F. A. H. Hsq., C. S. +Dalton, Lieut.-Col. E. T., 9th Regt. BANE +Davey,N. T. Esq., Revenue Survey. tDavies, OC. Esq. +Davies, RH: Esq... O: 8. Debendra Mullick, Babu. Calcutta Europe Augur Kurope Barrackpore Amherst Moulmein Gowhatty Calcutta Chinsurah Assam Calcutta Kamptee Kurope Nagpore Nagpore Fyzabad Calcutta Monghyr Belaspore Natore Calcutta Nagypore Kurhurbari Colliery Calcutta Kurope Europe Europe Europe Calcutta China Calcutta Port Blair Myanoung Birma Europe Chota Nag- pore Dacca Rotasghur Oudh Calcutta “Date of Blection, ~ 1856 June 4. | +DeBourbel, Major R., Bengal Engrs. | Assam 1861 June 5.|*Denison, His Excellency Sir W. 7 : I Ue®. §.. Europe 1863 Feb. 4.|+Deo Narain Singh, Hon’ble Rajah. | Benares 1861 Mar. 6.| *Devereux, Hon’ble H. B., B. C. 8. | Europe 1862 May 7.|+Dhunpati Sinha Dooghur, Roy | Bahadur. Azimgunge 1853 Sept. 7.| Dickens, Lieut.-Col. C. H. Calcutta 1860 Nov. 7.| Digumber Mitra, Babu. Calcutta 1859 Sept. 7. | *Douglas, Lieut.-Col. C. Hurope 1864 Dec. 7. | *Dunlop, H. G. Esq. Kurope 1860 Jan. 4. | + Duka, Dr. T. Simla 1867 June 5. | ;Duthoits, W. Esq., C. 8. Mirzapore 1861 May 1. | *Harle, Capt. HE. L. Bengal Artillery. | Europe 1857 May 6.| *Hatwell, Dr. W. C. B. Kurope 1840 Oct. 7. | *Edgeworth, M. P. Esq., B. C.S. | Hurope 1863 May 6.|+Hdgar, J. W. Hsq., B.C. 8. Cachar 1865 Feb. 1.|+Hgerton, P. H. Esq., B.C. S. Umritsar 1846 Jan. 7.-| *Elliott, Sir Walter, late M.C. 8. | Europe 1859 Noy. 2.| +Hlliott, C. A. Esq., B. C.S. Furruckabad 1863 April 1.| +Hllis, Hon’ble R. S., C. 8. C., B. | Madras 1856 Mar. 5.| *Hillis, Lieut.-Col. R. R. W. 23rd Regt. B. N. L. Hurope 1854 Noy. 1.| tEHlphinstone, Capt. M. W. 4th Regt. a B, Nv I. Lahore 1861 Jan. 9.| *Erskine, Hom’bleC.J., Bombay C.S. | Europe 1856 Aug. 6.| *Erskine, Major W. C. B. HKurope "1863 Oct. 7.| Ewart, Dr. J. Calcutta 1862 Aug. 6.| *Hyre, Col. Vincent, C. B. Kurope 1865 June 7.| Fawcus, Dr. J. Calcutta “1851 May 7.| Fayrer, Dr. J., B. M.S. Calcutta 1863 Jan. 15. | +Fedden, Francis, Esq., Geol. Survey. | Bombay 1865 Aug. 2.| Fenn, 8. Esq. Calcutta 1859 Oct. 12. | +Fisher, A, Esq. China 1860 Mar. 7. | *Fitzwilliam, Hon’ble W. 8S. Kurope 4 * April 5.|+Fleming, Dr. J. M. 29th P.N. I. | Nimar Cent. Provinces 1867 April 38. | +Ford, Lieut.-Col. B. Port Blair 1861 Feb. 6.|+Forrest, R. Esq., Civil Engineer. | Etwah 1863 Dec. 2. | +Forsyth, Lieut. J. Nagpor 1863 June 38.| }Forsyth, T. D. Esq., C. B. Punjabe 1860 Mar. 7.| *Frere, His Excellency Sir H. Bartle, tm, 6 BYeB, Gis: Kurope 1859 Oct. 12:| +Furlong, Major J. G. R. Agra 1859 Dec. 7.| Futteh, Ali, Maulvi. Calcutta. | . PLA PAAA PALL Date of Election. 1867 Sept. 4.| Fyfe, W. The Rev. 1849 Sept. 5. 1866 Jan. 17. 1864 Aug. 11. 1859 Aug. 38. 1867 Dec. 4 1867 Sept. 4 1859 Sept. 7 1865 June 7 1842 Sept. 2 1867 May 1 1859 Sept. 7 1862 July 2 1864 Dec. 5 1862 Feb. 5 1863 Nov. 4 1859 Dec. 7 1860 Jan. 4 1867 Aug. 7 1867 June 5 1860 July 4. 1866 June 6. 1861 Sept. 4 1860 7 1849 1 1861 6 1862 5 3 9 rf 3 a 2 5 2 i 8. 3. 1867 1847 1866 1863 1855 Mar. 7. 1828 Nov. 12. 1847 May Nov. Aug. Feb. Feb. July June Jan. 17. June 1859 Oct. 12. 1866. Nov. 1862 Oct. 1860 Oct. 1867 Dec. 4. 7Hytche, Lieut.-Col. A. 70th Regt. B. N. I. G. M. Tagore, Esq. +Garrett, C. B. Hsq., C. S. Gastrell, Lieut.-Col. J. E., 18th Regt. N. L., Rev. Survey. Gay, H. Esq. Gauvain, Capt. V. Geoghegan, J. Hsq., B. C. S. .| ¢Giles, A. H. Esq. .|*Gladstone, W. Esq. . | *Glover, the Hon’ble F. .| *Goodeve, E. Hsq., M. D. Gordon, J. D. Esq., C. S. -| FGooroochurn Dass Babu. .| +Gourdoss Bysack, Babu. .| ¢Gowan, Major J. G. .|*Grant, Sir J. P., K. C. B. .| *Grant, T. R. Esq. Granville, W. L. Esq. +Gregory Lieut. J. Depy. Comr. Grey, Hon'ble W., B. C. S. *Gribble, T. W. Esq., B. C. 8. .| ¢Griffin, L. Esq, . B. C. S. .| ¢Griffth, R. T. H. Esq. Grote, A. Esq., B.C. S., F. L. 8. . +Growse, F. S. Esq., B. C. 8. .| *Guthrie, Col. C. 8., Bengal Engrs. Hacket, C. A. Esq. _|*Hall, F. E. Esq., M. A., D. G. L. +Hamilton, Major T. C. *Hamilton, Col. G. W. +Hamilton, R. sq. *Hamilton, SirR.N E., Bart.,B.C. 8. .| *Hannyngton, Col. J. C., 63rd Regt. N.I. *Hardie, Dr. G. K. Harendra Krishna Kumar. *Harington, Hon’ble H. B. +Harris, HE. B. Hsq., C. 8. Harris J. S. Esq. | Calcutta | Europe Calcutta Rangoon Calcutta Chittagong Calcutta Calcutta Calcutta Dinajpore Europe Kurope Europe Calcutta Jungipore Maunbhoom — Morar, Gwalioi Europe Kurope Calcutta Naga Hills © Calcutta Europe Gurdaspore Punjab Benares Calcutta Myunpoorie Hurope Calcutta Europe Amherst B Birmah — Wurdah Europe Hurope Kurope Calcutta Deoght r Calcutta — ae i‘. s i k 7 af . | | fT BS (1861 Feb. 6.) Harrison, A. S. Hsq., B. A. Nyneetal 1859 Oct. 12. | +Haughton, Lieut.-Col J. C.,C. 8.1. | Gooch Behar 1862 Aug. 6.|*Heeley, W. L. Hsq., C. 8. Europe 1866 April 4.| Henry, N. A. Hsq. Calcutta 1859 Aug. 8. | +Henessey, J. B. N. Hsq. Bangalore 853 July 6.|+Herschel, W. J. Hsq., B.C. S. Midnapore 854 Mar. sea Lieut. W., Bengal Engrs. | Hurope poo Jan. 17. | + Hicks, J. G. Esq. Lahore 1867 Mar. Hill, F. Esq. Calcutta 1860 May Hobhouse, 6. P. Hon’ble B. C. 8. | Calcutta 850 Sept + Hopkinson, H. Lieut.-Col. H. Assam 863 July +Horne, C. Esq. C. 8. Mynpoorie L860 Mar. Hovenden, Major J.J., BengalEngrs. | Calcutta 1863 Jan. 15. | +Howell, M. 8. Hsq., C. S. Meerut 867 Sept +Hughes, A. J. Esq OC. H. Dariabad 867 Aug. 17. | +Hughes,T. H. Esq. A.R.S.M.F.G.8. | Hazarebagh 867 Aug *Hughes, Lieut. W. G. Calcutta 866 Feb Hoyle, G. W. Esq. Calcutta 867 May tHyatt, Dr B. N. Civil Surgeon. Ranchee 866 Mar +Irvine, W. Hsq., C. S. Mozuffernug- 60 Jan. +Innes, Major J. J. M. Punjab [ger 862 Oct +Irwin, Valentine, Esq., C. S. Tipperah 1853 Dec. Et 864 Sept. 1861 Jan. +Ishureeprasad Sinha, Bahadur, Rajah | Benares Jackson, Hon’ble E. Calcutta Jackson, Hon’ble L. S., B. C. 8. | Calcutta Cc. 8 41 April *Jackson, W. B. Esq., B. C. S. Kurope 61 Dec James, Major H. R. C. B. Calcutta 64 Sept *Jardine, R. Hsq., C. S. Hurope 5 Dec +Jerdon, Dr. T. C., M. M. 8S. Mussoorie 67 Mar. Jogindra nath Mulliok Babu. Andul 6 Feb +Johnson, W. H. sq. Dehra ‘7 June *Johnstone, J. Esq. Kurope 62 Mar. * Johnstone, Capt. J., Assistant Com- missioner. Europe 7 Dee. tJohnstone, Lieut. J. Supt. Hle- _ ° phant Klamddas. Cuttack 1859 Sept. 7.| *Jones, R. Esq. Kurope |; 865 June tJoykissen, Dass Bahadur, Rajah. Allyghur SHOT NN FP AOTRONENON NORM PANN RONEN ONE Mar. Kadar Nath Mookerjee. Bhowanipore Feb. Kaliprosonno Singha. Babu. Calcutta July *Kane, H. 8. Hsq., M. D. Kurope April *Kay, The Rev. W., D. D. Hurope Dee. 15. | + Kempson, M. Esq., M. A. Bareilly Dec. 4.|+King, G. Esq. M. D. Joudpore 1867 Mar. 6. | +King, Capt. H. W. | India Date of Election. 1862 Jan. 15. {King, W. Esq., Jr, Geol. Survey. | Madras 1867 Mar. 6.| Knox, G. HE. Esq. C.S. Calcutta 1839 Mar. 6.| *Laidlay, J. W. Esq. Kurope 1861 Mar. 6.]| *Laing, Hon’ble S. Europe 1863 Sept. 2.| Lane, T. B. Esq., B. C. 8S. Calcutta . 1851 Dec. 8.| Layard, Major F. P. Bhagulpore 1852 April 7.| Lees, Major W. N., LL. D. Calcutta 1859 Dec. 7.| Leonard, H. Hsq., C. H. Calcutta 1865 June 7. | tLewin, Capt. T. H. Chittagong 1856 Feb. 6.| *Liebig, Dr. G. Von., B. M. S. Europe _ 1860 Jan. 4.| Lindsay, EH. J. Esq. Calcutta 1862 Dec. 38.| Lobb, 8. Esq., M. A. Hooghly Ooll. 1864 Nov. 2.| Locke, H. H. Esq. : Calcutta 1866 May 2.1! *Lovett, Lieut. B. Ispahan 1828 July 2. | *Low, Major-General Sir J., K. C. B. | Hurope 1866 Jan. 17. | flow, James, Esq., G. T. 8. Dehra Dhoon 1861 April 3.| Lumsden, Lieut.-Col. P. S. Calcutta 1854 Nov. 1. | *Lushington, F. A. Esq., B.C. 8S. | Europe 1866 Mar. 7.|+Macdonall, A.P. Esq. Monghyr 1866 June 6.| Macdonald, Major J. Staff Corps. | Calcutta 1848 April 5. | +Maclagan, Lieut.-Col. R., F.R.8. HE. | Lahore 1866 Jan. 17.! *Macgregor, Lieut. C. Kurope 1865 Nov. 1:| Mackenzie, A. Esq., C. 8. Calcutta 1853 April 6.| Mackray, Dr. A. C. Calcutta 1867 July 38.| Mackenzie, C.S.,M. D. 3 Calcutta 1867 July 38.} Macnamara, Dr. C. Calcutta 1863 Jan. 15, | *Maine, Hon’ble H. 8. Kurope 1867 April 3. | +Mainwaring, Major G. Darjeeling 1860 Jan. 4.| Mair, D. K. Hsq., M. A. Calcutta 1865 Mar. 1.| Malleson, Major G. B. Calcutta 1862 Sept. 3.| Mallet, F. R. Esq. Nowgong Bun- > delcund 1860 July 4.|+Man, HE. G. Esq. Burdwan 1852 Nov. 8.| Manickjee Rustomjee, Esq. Calcutta 1861 June 5.|+Man Sinha Bahadur, Maharajah. Oudh 1867 Mar. 6.| Markby, The Hon’ble. W. Calcutta 1864 Aug.11.| *Marks, Rev. J. Ebenezer. Europe 1850 Jan. 2.|*Marshman, J. C. Esq. Kurope 1863 Oct. 7: | +Martin, T. Hsq., C. HE. Gowhatty 1863 Nov. 4.|*McClelland, Dr. J. Kurope 1837 Oct. 4. | +McLeod, Hon’bleD.F.,C.B.,B.C.S. | Lahore 1860 Mar. 7.|+Medlicott, H. B. Esq. F. G. 8S. Garrow Hills 1861 Feb. 6.| Melville, Capt. A.B., late 67th N. I. Surv, Genl.’s Dept. Calcutta 1855 Nov. 7. | *Middleton, J. Esq. Kurope 1850 April 3. | *Mills, A. J. M. Hsq., B. C. 8S. Kurope Mohindralal Sircar, Dr. Calcutta +Money, D. J., B. C.S. Bhagulpore *Money, J. W. Esq. Hurope +Montgomerie, Capt T. G. Dera Doon tMorland, Major J. Delhi ‘} Morris, G. G. Esq., B. C. 8. Backergunge {Moula Bukhsh, Khan Bahadur, Maulvi. Patna *Muir, J. Esq. Kurope Muir, Hon’ble W., B.C. S. Calcutta *Napier, Major-General Sir R., | Abyssinia KK... B, Nelson, J. B. Esq. Calcutta *Newmarch, Lieut.-Col. C. D. Europe . | tNewul Kishwar, Moonshee. Lucknow .| *Nicholls, Capt. W. T., 24th Regi- ment, M. N. I. Hurope Norman, Hon’ble J. P. ~ | Calcutta Obhoy Churn, Mullick, Babu. Calcutta TOldham, C. Hsq., Geological Survey. | Madras Oldham, T. Esq., LL. D, F. RB. 8. | Caleutta 7Oldham, A. Hsq., C. H. | EH. B. Railway. ' Kooshtea Onslow, D. B. Esq. Barrackpore 7Ormsby, M. H. Esq. Chota Nagpore .| *O’Shaughnessy, Sir W. B. Europe .| *Ousely, Major W. &. Hurope *Palmer, Dr. W. J. Kurope Partridge, 8. B. Hsq., M. D. Calcutta .| Paul, J. Esq. Calcutta . | *Pearse, Major G. G. Kurope .| Peary Mohun Mookerjee, M. A. Otturparah +Pellew, F. H. Esq., C. 8. Burrisal TPeppe, J. H. Esq. Gya .| Petit, Mons. Engene. Calcutta *Phayre, Lt.-Col. A. P., C. B. Europe Phear, Hon’ble J. B. Calcutta .| Place, Mons. V. Consul Gen. France | Calcutta .| tPoolin Behary Sen, Babu. Berhampore Pratt, Ven’bleArchdeacon J.H.,M.A. | Calcutta .| Preonath Sett, Rabu. Calcutta . | *Prinsep, C. R. Esq. Kurope Prosonno Coomar Tagore, Babu. Calcutta 10 PPPOLL LLL LL ALIAS PRS TAIN IN IN PLINER Date of Election. 1864 Feb. 3. 7Pullan, Lieut. A., G. T. Survey. Dehra Dhoon 1845 Jan, 14. | *Sherwill, Lt.-Col. W.S., 66th Regi- ment B. N. L,F.G.8., F. R. G. 8S. | Europe 1853 April 6.) Radha Nath Sikdar, Babu. Calcutta 1849 Sept. 5.| Rajendra Dutt, Babu. Calcutta 1856 Mar. 5.) Rajendralala Mitra, Babu. Calcutta 1864 May 4.' Raméanath Bose, Babu. Calcutta 1837 Feb. 1.) Raménath Tagore, Babu. Calcutta 1866 Jan. 17.| +Rattray, A. Esq. Hidgelee 1860 Mar. 7.| +Reid, H. S. Esq. Oudh 1867 Feb. 6.) +Reid, Leiut.-Col. B. Governor-Gen- eral’s Agent. ChumlaPunjab 1864 Dec. 7. + Richardson, R. J. Esq., ©. S Patna 1857 June 7. | *Riddell, Hon’ble H. B., B. C. S. Kurope 1857 Aue. “6. + Roberts, Hon’ble A. A. B,C. 8. | Panjab 1863 April 1. | Robertson, C. Esq., C. S. Nyne Tal 1863 May 6.|+Robertson, H. D. Esq., C. 8. Saharunpore 1865 Feb. 1.| Robinson, 8. H. Esq. Calcutta 1847 Dec. 1.| *Rogers, Capt. i: Europe 1866 Dec. 5.) Ross, J. M. Esq. Calcutta 1859 Sept. 7.| +Russell, A. E. Hsq., B. C. S. Burdwan 1865 June 7. | +S4rodaprosad Mookerjee, Babu. Baraset 1859 Feb. 2.) +Satischunder Roy Maharajah. Krishnagur 1856 Aug. 6.|; Satyasharana Ghosal, Rajah. Bhookylas, Calcutta 1861 Dec. 4.| +Saunders, C. B. Esq., B. C. 8. Mysore 1864 June 1.) *Saunders, J. O’B. Hsq. Europe 1854 Dec. 6.|+Saxton, Lt.-Col. G. H., F. G. 8. 38th M. N. 1. Ootacamund 1854 May 2.| *Schiller, F. Esq. Kurope 1860 Feb. 1. | *Scott, Col. H. W. 8S. Europe 1859 Aug. 3. | fScott, W. H. Esq. Dehra Doon 1867 June 5.| Scott, J. M. Esq, B. A. C. E. Calcutta 1866 Jan. 17. ; ¢Seaton, Capt. W. J. Rangoon 1863 Sept. 3.| Sama Churn Sircar; Babu. Calcutta 1860 July 4. | +Shelverton, G. Esq. Jubbulpore 1866 Sept. 5.|+Sherer, Major J. F. Kamroop 1867 April 8.|+tSheriful Omrah. Hon’ble Nabob . Bahadur, K. C. 8. I. Madras 1863 April 1. | +Showers, Lieut.-Col. C. L. : Agra 1866 June 6.| Sime, J. Esq., B. A. Calcutta 1864 Sept. 7. | +Sladen, Capt. E. B. Burma 1866 June 6.| Smart, R. B. Esq. Kamptee 1865 July 5.| Smith, D. Boyes, Esq, M. D. Mussooree 11 1856 Feb. 6.| *Smith, Col. J. F. Kurope 1854 Sept. 6. +Spankie, R. Hsq., B. CO. S. Agra 1864 Mar. 2.| tSpearman, Lieut. R. Yangzaleen, 3 British Bur- mah 1860 May 2.| Staunton, Major F.S. Wes: Engs. | Barrackpore | 1867 May 1.) Steel, Lieut. E. i, BA. Debrughur 1843 Sept. 4. +Stevens, W. H. Esq. C. H. ? 1867 Dec. 4. *Stephen, Major J. G, 8th N. I. Hurope 1863 Jan. 15| Sterndale, R. A. Esq. Calcutta 1863 Sept. 2.| Stewart, R. D. Kisq. Calcutta 1864 April 6. {Stewart, J. L. Esq., M. D. Lahore 1861 Sept. 4.| Stokes, Whitley, Esq. Calcutta 1863 Nov. 4. Stoliczka, Reor. Calcutta 1843 May 3. +Strachey, Col. R., F. BR. S., F. LL. } Sa eG.S. Bombay 51859 Mar. 2. +Stubbs, Major F. W., Beng. Artillery. | Meerut 1861 Oct. 2. | tSudderuddin, Moonshi. Pundoooh 1858 July 7. | tSutherland, H. C. Esg., B. C. S. Backergunje 1864 Aug.11.| Swinhoe, W. Hsq. Calcutta 1865 Sept. 6.) Tawney, C. H. Esq. Calcutta 1865 April 5.; Taylor, R. Esq. Madras 1860 May 2.; Temple, Sir R. Esq., B. C. 8. Calcutta 9 Mar. 2.| *Theobald, W. Esq., Jr. Geological Survey. Europe 7 June 6.; Thompson, J. G. Esq. Calcutta al Mar. 4.) *Thompson, Major G. H., Bengal. : i Staff Corps. Kurope 1855 June 6. | *Thompson, ve De MOD. FR, i F.L.S., F. RB. Gs. Europe 1853 Nov. 21. | ¢Thornhill, C. B. Hisq., B. C. 8. Allahabad +1863 June 4.|+Thornton, T. H. Esq. Punjab 1847 June 2.| Thuillier, Lt.-Col. H.L., ¥.R. G.S. = Bengal Artillery. Calcutta 863 May . Thuillier, Lt. H. R. Calcutta |} 4662 July 2.) *Thurlow, Hon’ble T. J. H. Kurope “4865 July 5.|+Tolbort, T. W. H. Esq., C. S. Punjab 1865 July 5. | Tonnerre, Dr. C. F. Calcutta 1862 Feb. 5.) +Torrens, Col. H. D. Saugor 1861 June 5.|+Tremlett, J. D. Hsq., 0. S. Simla | 1863 Mar. 4.|*Trevelyan, Right Hon’ble Sir C., | K.C B. . Kurope | 2641 Feb. 3. *Trevor, Hon’ble C, B., B. C. S. Kurope | £863 Feb. 4.) Trevor, E. T. Esq., B.C. S. Calcutta 12 “Dats oc alector | I RT ny 1864 Mar. 2. | *Trevor, Lt. EK. A. Royal Eng. HKurope. 1864 Sept. 4. *Tween, A. ply Geological Survey. Kurope 1863 May 6.\| Tyler, Dr. J Mynpowrie Camp Barailch — Oudh | rVerchere, A. M., Hsq., M. D. Jellunder {Vijayarama Gajapati Raj Munnia Sultan Bahadur, Maharajah Mirza. | Vizianagaram 1864 Feb. 38. 1864 April 6. 1860 May 2. 9 a ee Capt. A., D. late 71st B. 4 | | 1865 Nov. 1.|. Waldie, D. Esq. Calcutta ‘1861 May 1.) +Walker, Lt.-Col. J. T., Bom. Engrs. | Dehra Doon 1863 Dec. 2.| Walker, A. G. Esq. C. S. Khyrabad Oudh 1863 May 6.| *Wall, P. W. Esq,, C. S. Kurope. 1863 Oct. 7.| Waller, Dr. W. K. Calcutta 18638 Dec. 2.| Walters, Rev. M. D. C. Calcutta 1862 Jan. 15.) {Ward,G.. HE: Hsq., B. C..S8. Meerut 1852 July 7.| *Ward, J. J. HEsq., B.C. S. Kurope 1859 July 6.| *Warrand, R. H. M. Esq., B. C. 8. | Europe 1865 May 8.| *Waterhouse, Lieut. J., Royal Ar- tillery, Kurope 1854 July 5.| *Watson, J. Hsq., B. C, 8. Hurope 1847 Nov. 8.| *Waugh, Major-General Sir A. S., t.D., Bo B8.,, Packs. ia ee Kurope 1867 Feb. 6.) + Westmacott, EH. V. Esq , C.S,. B.A. | Manbhoom 1862 Oct. 8.| Wheeler, J. T. Hsq. Calcutta 1867 Aug. 7. |TWilcox, F. Esq. Bengal Police, Manbhoom 1864 Mar. 2.| Wilkinson, C. J. Esq. Calcutta 1861 Sept. 4. ! +Williams, Dr. C., H. M.’s 68th Regt. | Rangoon 1867 Jan. 16. | + Williamson Lieut. W. J. Goalparah 1867 Mar. 6. | +Willson, W. G. Hsq. B. A. Calcutta 1859 Sept. 7. | ;Wilson, W. L. Esq. Saugor 1859 Aug. 3. +Wilmot, C. W. Esq. Pakur 1865 Feb. 1. tT Wilmot, K. Bsq. Delhi 1866 Mar. 7. 1 Wise, Dr. J. FN. Dacca 1867 July 38. "Wood, Dr. J. J. Saugor 1861 May 7. Woodrow, PPV .,, Vek Calcutta 1859 Mar. 2. | *Wortley, Major 52 I of Europe 1862 Aug. 6.| Wylie, J. W. Esq., Bombay C. 8, | Calcutta 1855 April 4. | *Young, Lt.-Col. C. R. Kurope 1856 July 2. | *Yule, Lt.-Col. H. Europe — ~~. wee * 13 LIST OF HONORARY MEMBERS. “Pate of Efection | 1825 Mar. 9.) M Garcin de Tassy, Membre del’ Inst. | Paris 1826 ~,, = 1./} Sir John Phillippart. Jiondon 1829 July 1.| Count De Noe. Paris 41831 ,, 7.| Prof. C. Lassen. Bonn 1834 Nov. 5.| Sir J. F. W. Herschel; F. B.S. London 1834 = =,, 5.| Col. W. H. Sykes, F. R. S. London 1835 May 6. | Prof. Lea. Philadelphia 1842 Feb. 4.| Dr. Ewald. Gottingen 1842 ~«4, «= 4. | Right Hon’ble Sir Edward Ryan, K. | London 1843 Mar. 30. | Prof. Jules Mohl, Memb. del’ Instit. | Paris (1847 May 5. | His Highness Hekekyan Bey. ‘Egypt 1847 Sept. 1. | Col. W. Munro. London 1847 Nov. 3.| His Highness the Nawab Nazim of L Bengal. Moorshedabad 1848 Feb. 2.| Dr. J. D. Hooker, R.N., F, B.S. | Kew 1848 Mar. 8. | Prof. Henry Princeton. United States 1853 April 6.. Major-Gen. Sir H. C. Rawlinson, K. C. 2 oR. 82 DO 1. London 1854 Aug. 2.) Col. Sir Proby T. Cautley, K.C.B., BF, Be S. London 2 i858 July 6.|B. H. Hodgson, Esq. Hurope 1859 Mar. 2.)| Hon'ble Sir J. W. Colvile, Kt. Hurope i » .¢.| Prof. Max Muller. Oxford 860 Nov. 7, Mons. Stanislas Julien. Paris » '-| Dr. Robert Wight. London » (| Edward Thomas, Esquire. London » 1.| Dr. Aloys Sprenger. Germany » t.| Dr. Albrecht Weber. Berlin 305 Sept. 6.) Edward Blyth, Hsquire. Europe LIST OF CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. (844 Oct. 2. Macgowan, Dr. J. Europe 56 June 4. | Kremer, Mons. A. Von. Alexandria », &.| Porter, Rev. J. Damascus » 4.| von Schlagintweit, Herr H. Berlin » &.| Smith, Dr. H. Beyrout 4, 4.| Tailor, J. Esquire. Bussorah ma; 43 | Wilson, Dr. Bombay 7 Mar. 4.) Neitner, J. Esquire. | Ceylon 8 Mar. 3. | von Schlagintweit, Herr H. R. Berlin 9 Nov. 2. | Frederick, Dr. H. | Batavia oY May 4.! Bleeker, Dr. H. Batavia 0 Feb. 1.) Baker, The Rev. H. BH. Malabar ) 1. | Swinhoe, R., Hsq., H. M.’s Consulate. | Amoy 14 Date of Election 1860 April 4.| Hung, Dr. M. Poonah 1861 July 3.| Gosche, Dr. R. Berlin 1862 Mar. 5.| Murray. A., Esquire. London 1863 Jan. 15. | Goldstiicker, Dr. T. London 1863 July 4.| Barnes. R. H. Esquire. Ceylon 1866 May 7.| von Schalgintweit. Prof. E. Prussia 1866 ,, 7.|Sherring. Rev. M. A. Kurope LIST OF ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 1835 Oct. 7. | Stephenson, J., Esquire. Kurope 1838 Feb. 7.| Keramut Ali, Saied. Hooghly 1843 Dec. 6.} Long, Rev. J. Calcutta 1865 May 3.| Dall, Rev. OC. H. A. Calcutta ELECTIONS IN 1867. Ordinary Members. G. A. D. Anley, Esq. Calcutta Lieut. W. J. Williamson, Goalpara Col. J. C. Brooke, Barrackpore A. W. Croft, Esq. Calcutta J. A. Paul, Esq. Calcutta Lieut.-Cal. B. Reid, Chamila K. V. Westmacott, Esq. C. §., B. A. Manbhoom The Hon’ble W. Markby, Calcutta Baboo Peary Mohun Mookerjee, M. A. Utturparah Capt. H. W. King, P. L. O. Service, Calcutta Baboo Jogindra Mullick, Audul G. HE. Knox, Esq. B. C. S. Calcutta W. G. Wilson, Esq. B. A. Calcutta Capt. T. G. Montgomerie, Dehra Dhoon F. Hill, Esq. Calcutta Lieut.-Col. B. Ford, Port Blair Baboo Mohindralal Sircar, Calcutta Major G. Mainwaring, Darjiling The Hon’ble Nawab Sir Sheriful, Omrah Bahadur. K. G. 8. I. Madras The Hon’ble F. Glover, Calcutta 8. C. Mackenzie, Esq. M. D. Calcutta Lieut. H. J. Steel, R. A. Rev. Sur. Assam HK. Bonavia, Esq. M. D. Lucknow | _ J.B. Nelson, Esq. BN. Hyatt, Civil Samson, — W. Duthoit, Esq. C.: 8. Lieut. J. Gregory, Depty. Commissioner, _ Calcutta Lord Bishop Cal. The Right Rev. ~ Baboo Obboy Churn Mullick, J. M. Scott, Esq. Dr. C. Macnamara, UN. A. Belletty, Esq. Dr. ‘i I. Wood, A. Hacket, Esq. F. Ameroy, Ksq. ‘TT. H. Hughes, Esq. A. B. 8. M,, i so ue W. L. Granville, Esq. R. H. Curran, Esq. L F. Wilcox, Bey). Beng. Police. | A. Oldham, Esq. 0. E. Dr. A. ©. Macrae, The Rev. W. C. Fyfe, Capt. V. Gauvain, Btons. V. Place, Consul, Gen. France, . J. Hughes, Esq. 0. E. 1 uieut. J. Butler, Mons. Hugene Petit, . 8. Harris, Esq. W. H. Stevens, Esq. E & Gay, Hisq. J. Chambers, Esq. G. King, Esq. M. D. Lieut. J. Johnstone, J. W. Chisholm, Esq. “4 _ 15 or a ee eee — _ —— SE ES OO OE Oe Ny ee Pees es aiid OrpinaRyY MermpBers, By retirement. W, Clementson, Esq. t. W. G. Murray, H. Stevens, L. Leeds, Esq. a Matthews, Esq. ik. C. 8; J) i We@C, P- Calcutta Ranche Merzapore Naga Hills Calcutta Calcutta Calcutta Calcutta Cherrapunjee Calcutta Calcutta Lahore Lahore Calcutta Port Blair Purulia, 1 Manbhoom H.-B:*Ry: i Kooshtea Calcutta Calcutta Calcutta Calcutta Daria Dabad Assam Calcutta Calcutta - Caleutta Calcutta Calcutta Gornah Midnapore Belaspore LOSS OF MEMBERS DURING THE YEAR, 1867, Howrah Meerut Calcutta Calcutta Tumlook Mussoorie Futtyghur Burmah Calcutta 16 Lieut -Col. H. Raban, Capt. M. Loyd. Capt. W. Ramsden. Lieut -Col. H. Rallard, C. B. Baboo Hurry Dass Dutt, . Capt. G. C. Depree., Baboo Bumkin Chunder Chatterjee, Baboo Soorut Nath Mullick, The Hon’ble EK. Drummond, EK. 8. Robertson, Esq. The Rev. J. C. Broune, By Death. Lieut.-Col. W. D. Short, R. E. Major-Genl. Sir J. B. Hearsay, K. C. B. The Hon’ble Sumboo Nath Pundit, Baboo Jadava Krishna Sing. Capt. A. R. Fuller. HONORARY MEMBERS. Deceased. M. Reinaud, Membre de l'Institut Prof, W’Arabe [in 1866] Prof. F. Bopp, Col. Sir George Everest, Kt. F. R. S. Rajah Radha Kant Deb, Bahadur K. §. I. RUSK eens CE tO sen saeMneneeeasatREKEEASEGRREANAC EDGR SEHR AD RSH ORK EU ERR RES Calcutta Tounghoo Cawnpore Calcutta Calcutta | Chota Nagpore Caleutta - Howrah Allahabad Azimghur Calcutta Europe Kurope Bhowanipore Calcutta Lahore Kurope Hurope Brindabund -_ Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. ABSTRACT STATEMENT : é OF dict os CEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS B . OF THE Wb | _--_—sASTATIC SOCIETY, te yet: FOR THE YEAR 1867. Ls il Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. _— =e STATEMENT _ Abstract of the Cash Account PP LO LIPPAIPLPLPPPPPPP PV III IIIS I SSIS AL AL ALA ALLIS AP RII NP AID APD RECEIPTS. 1867. 1866. ADMISSION FEEs. . Received from New Members, Rs. 1,504 0 O 1,504 0 O 1,280 0 CoNTRIBUTIONS. Received from Members, ci, CTO oo 8,373 13 6 8,676 0 JOURNAL. Sale proceeds of, and Subscription to the Journal of the Asiatic Society, 2,749 10 0 Refund of Postage Stamps, an 60 4 6 Ditto of Packing Charges, 5 3 5 7 3 Ditto of Freight, ont wat F 0 vO 2,820 5 9 1,327 1 LIBRARY. Sale proceeds of Books, ... ae 1 Ay das © Refund of Freight, ahs eas 19 14 0 —_—— 43710 0 610 2 SECRETARY’S OFFICE. Refund of Postage Stamps, oo 13 12 6 Ditto of Packing Charges, aay lee =e Savings, ear a ay Lai 33 —e Wf. be 22 13 GENERAL EsTABLISHMENT. Savings, ae ase 1° TG pee 1 4 6 175 i VesteD FUND. Received Interest on the Government Securities from the Bank of Bengal, 110 0 O ————._ 110 0 O 8,142 8 Corn Funp, Sale proceeds of Silver Coins, he 8>8, 0 8 S28 5 0 Musrum TRANSFER ACCOUNT, Refund of the amount advanced, ... 111 1 O wae 1 9 O. P. Funp. Refund of the Loan paid.on the 3lst August, 4 611 Received ‘by Transfer from Messrs. Williams and Norgate, Sale pro- ceeds of Bibliotheca Indica through them, 1% sere wee AGAD 4 165 10 Il Sir Witt1aM JoneEs’s Monument. Received from the Government of India for repairing the Monument, se 1802070 680 0 0 Carried over, Rs, 14,229 11 5 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, No. 1. of the Asiatic Society for 1867. DISBURSEMENTS. JOURNAL. Freight, oe ore Rs. 15 54.40 Printing charges, Base) ey Lee | i 13 archase of Postage Stamps, aes (ROS 4 GiB ee aphing and Se sages Charges, > &e., weAGo’ 6-6 Commission on Sale of Booka, ce oer a I urchase of Journal, ee feo. Bae Ditto of Papers for the wv ournal, wraenSlS 16. °9 Petty charges, yes ie Se tO LIBRARY. Salary of the say ro . 840 0 Establishment, “- 90 0O Book Binding, woe dll 4 Commission on sale of Books, oes 61 13 Purchase of Books, .. 1,848 4 Ditto of Custom Receipt Stamps, ae Eye ponding charges, ee ves 13 11 eostage Stamps, i 2 8 pay of Office Pankha-man, oes 24 2 Petty charges, wes vee 14 14 . AMODOCWOWOOCO SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Ge neral Establishment, ... wien cee 0: 0 Secretary’s Office Establishment, ... 1,106 13 4 ‘urchase of Postage Stamps, ane 92,9 0 Di to of Stationery, fT, 44 7 3 Ditto of 5 numbers of Army List, ov 25 0 0 0 of a copy of Bengal Directory, LO 0 litto of 2 copies of Sheet Almanae for 1867 and 1868, aes wwe Z «<0 .0 Ditto of a Blank Book, ... a ¢ 8.9 rir ting charges, ins oe 31 8 0 cient Postage, es ww 2k iO ng Postage, ve oe P14. @ By charges, oe 15 4 0 _Veustep Funp. Ommission to the Bank of Bengal for Wing interest on the Government Securities, ist eee 0 4 4 a ee _ Coin Funp. . , ur rohase of Coins, = wee 328-2 O Teak wood case for the new Coin Cabinet, , ee 79 0 0 Banghee expenses for returned Coins, 4 8 O ng Postage on a parcel of Coins, 312 0 charges, fs Sasa 2 8 6 Carried over, Rs. 1867. iil INA NONI NI NINN NS NISL SPN NINDS AARP ALIN SA NIN LIL AL LSP LILES IRS NLS ISIN I LOIS LALA NIELS SSSI 1866. 4,349 7 6 2,799 15 10 3,207 5 6 5.25010 9 1,638 6 7 1,784 2 3 0 4 4 3,284 9 10 417 14 6 9,608 6 5 503 3 3 iv Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. RECEIPTS, Brought over, Rs. 14,229 11 5 Messrs, WILLIAMS AND NorGatE. Received by Sale proceeds of their Books, ws o 2.0 Ditto from Babu Pratépachandra Ghosha as deposit on their account, 6 0 0 Ditto from Sayyid Karamat Ali as deposit on their account, being the price of two numbers of the Kamil, 6 0.0 Ditto by Books supplied to the As. Society, te sa) (2OL 0 HO 299 12 0 A 4 Dr. A, M. VERCHERE. Refund of Banghy Expenses, vee 014 0 ee 014 0 H. BrEverzy, Esq. Refund of Postage Stamps, ai Oils 0 — 013 0 P. Carnecy, HsqQ. Refund of the amount advanced, ... 10 6 ——— L. - OG A. G. WALKER, Esq. Refund of the Insufficent Postage, ,.. 7°0-0 Received on Deposit, ... a 6 0 0 Dr. C, BALLANTYNE. Received on account of the Journal, 307 0 0 ————-—- 307 0 0 DamopaRA JETHA, Esq. Received on Deposit, ... ee 89 0 0 Rev. H. A. JAESCHKE. Received by Sale proceeds of a Copy of Tibetan Grammar, ,,. = i 0°20 ee i? Omg 100 H. C. SurtHERLAND, Esq. Refund of Postage Stamps, a fe l sae C. J. CAMPBELL, Esq. Refund of Postage Stamps, Was 0>2.0 — 0, 2m G. W. Crine, Esq. Received on Deposit, 4. * 10.0; 0 —_——. 10" "0 a Dr. J. L. Stewart. Refund of the amount paid for send- ing Library Books, ,.. o08 0 120 - —__ — 0 1220 Lt, J. BUTLER, Received on Deposit, a T8350 — 7 3°90 G. HE. Warp, Esq. Refund of Postage Stamps, Printing charges, ... ct 42 0 0 Y fason G. Marnwarine. ee tee for sending Library 0 KS) vee aoe eee 2 4, 0 Carr. A. D. VANRENEN, ostage for sending Library ths a ae 010 0 74 4 0 010 O Carried over, Rs. 12,567 0 2 1x 1210 3 313 3 13 4 0 x Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. RECHIPTS. Brought over, Rs. 15,185 7 5 GovERNMENT NortH WESTERN PROVINCES, Refund of postage for sending Journal and Proceedings for 1866, Pea 14°89 14. 8:.0.. 16 5m BALANCE oF 1866. In the Bank of Bengal, .., ons BOO, ae Cash in hand, aes eh 638 3 2 we ————— 893 5 2 Rs. 16,093 4 7 Examined, Hrrors and Omissions Excepted, Sd. PratApacHANDRA GuHosHA, Sd, BuppinaTH Bysack, Asst. Secry. Cash Keeper, Asiatic Society, Bengal. Asiatic Society, Bengat, Examined and found correct, Sd. J. ANDERSON Paut, »» H. BuocuMann, { Auditors. J | r Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. x1 DISBURSEMENTS. Brought over, Rs. 12,567 0 2 - Batance. : he Bank of Bengal, ... «1 3,487 12° 1 n 10 hand, eco oes 38 8 4 : : ee 3,526 4 § Rs. 16,093 4 7 ie Examined, Errors and Omissions Excepted, Sd. PRatAPACHANDRA GHosHaA, Sd. BuppinatH Bysacx, __ Asst. Secry. Cash Keeper, Asiatic Society, Bengal, _ Asiatic Society, Bengal. a . Examined and found correct. Sd. J. ANDERson Paut ; » H. Brocumany, 4 Auditors, xii Abstract of the Cash Account Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. STATEMENT RECEIPTS. 1867, ORIENTAL PUBLICATIONS, Received by Sale of Bibliotheca, Rs. 2,346 12 0 Ditto by Subscription to ditto, te pdf Gro8 Ditto by Sale of White Yajurveda, 36.0) .Q Refund of Postage Stamps, oa 58 10 9 Ditto of Packing Charges, ia o. 07 0 2,508 12 GOVERNMENT ALLOWANCE. Received from the General Treasury, a 500 Rs. per month, 6,000 0 O 6,000 0 VESTED FunD. Received Interest on the Government Securities from the Bank of Bengal, 442 8 0 442 8 Asiatic SocrETY oF BENGAL, Received on Loan, Re ing 45.13 9 45 13 Varman AzBast Mopock, Esq. Received on Deposit, ... wen 220) “O60 _—— 120 0 V. B. Soosran, Esq. Received on Deposit, ... nee 23) 6 : His HIGHNESS THE FIRST PRINCE OF TRAVANCORE, Received on Deposit, L283 1 8 A, Narain Row, Esq. Received on account of Bibliotheca Indica, “is A ee 251 7 © -—- 2b. K. RoeuunatH Row, Esq. Received on Deposit, ... ue 49 8 0 49 8 DAMODARA JETHA, Esq. Received on account of Bibliotheea Indica, oy. é Bll. 0.8 511 0 Damaroo BuLLABH, Esq. Received on Deposit, ... Bf 414 0 414 Dr. C.. BALLANTYNE. Refund of Packing Charges, toe 214 0 2 14 Basu BraJABHUSHANA DASA, Received from him on account of Bibliotheca Indica, oe 50 0 0 50 0 Brought over, Rs. 9,813 15 1866, 9 2,548 12 O 0 6,000 0 O0- 0 442 8 0 0 3 |p adie No. 2. Oriental Fund for 1867. DISBURSEMENTS. ORIENTAL PUBLICATIONS. Paid Commission on the Sale of Books, 33012 9 si¢ht, ie es vee Lea 12-6 cking Charges, ee 27 8 0 rchase of Postage Stamps, von) ran Oty ntine Charges, one bee SLG-0 0 Petty Charges, as 4g 4 2 0 _ Vestep Funp. Paid Commission to the Bank of Bengal for drawing Interest on the Govern- “ment Securities, . sate Ses Eves Cvusropy oF ORIENTAL WoRKS, Salary of the Librarian, mem ToOw. 0% 6 wie ise’ 28e, 20 PS, via 47 0 O paid to the Bank of Bengal for mping Charges, ... ave L& ORO ase of Stationery, ... ia 54 8 O of Receipt Stamps, aA 3.0) 0 of 20 Stone almirah bottoms, ... 10° 2.0 of Dusters for Cleaning Books, 6 0 0 of 28 Almirah Locks for the ental Library Cases, - 63 0 0 for preparing Stock of the otheca Tudica, -... soa | ROBO So . ves gan 50 1 6 se of Books, see vee prying MSS g Charges, Hf a 33 12 0 IATIC Society OF BENGAL. ded of the Loan received on the © t August, 1867, _... 4 611 id by Transfer to Sale proceeds of Bibli = Indica through Megsrs. jams and Norgate, waa ODA uO i mentee eeel Vaman Apast Mopock, Esq. ‘Transfer to the Bibliotheca tee eee see 120 @) @) pe Vv B. Soopran, Esq. y Transfer to the Bibliotheca 1868.] ; Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 1867, 674 983 2 3 5 5 1386 12 0 33 12 0 165 10 11 120 0 0 1 Carried over, Rs. 2,116 9 ed 5 D>. XH 1866. 456 13 3 869 15 9 560 2 9 Xiv Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. RECEIPTS. | Brought over Rs. 9,818 15 3 Carried over, Rg, 9,813 15 3 1868.] _ Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. DISBURSEMENTS. A. Narain Row, Esq. Paid by Transfer to the Bibliotheca Indica, ibs nae ave 20 12 0 Damopara JETHA, Esq. Paid by Transfer to the Bibliotheca Indica, bee » 980510 0 ‘Ditto Frieght and Packing Charges . &c., for sending ditto,... aes 24 4 9 _ Dr. C. BALLANTYNE. Paid Packing Charges for sending Bibliotheca Indica, ... st 214 0 Basu BrasapnusHana DAsa, Paid by Transfer to the Bibliotheca Indica, nee roa a, 42 8 6 . Damaroo BuLwasy, Esq. Paid by Transfer to the Bibliotheca Indica, ie stars ae 0 4 O Basu Katicumara Mirra. Paid to Messrs. D’Rozario and Co., ... 1 59:.0 R. T. H. Grirritu, Esq, Paid by Transfer to the Bibliotheca meindica, - ... aes 74 6 0 arrririya ARANYAKA, Editing and Printing Charges, a Neue, Or 0 TAITTIRIYA BRAHMANA. Editing and Printing Charges, aw 36s :0°,0 | ALAMGIR NaMaAu. Editing and Printing Charges, oan SOO” 0" =O _ SANKHYA Sara. : Printing Charges, oo ee ee a a 14 Pa Sanrrya Durpana, -rinting Charges, eee we, 749) 80 ASWALAYANA GRIHYA SUTRAS. :. _ BapsHau Namau. iditing and Printing Charges, i oylae. ‘O' ® _ Mimansa Darsana, x, iditing and Printing Charges, wc oe0. 10 0 SANKARA Dievistya, | : Prin ting Charges, toe aoe 80 0 0 Carried over, Rs, Brought over, Rs, 2,116 5 20 12 329 14 42 8 368 0 368 0 584 0 251 10 179-8 100 0 3,796 O d00 «0 80 0 9,248 12 0 0 2,634 96 876 762 4 Xvi Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. RECEIPTS. : Brought over, Rs. 9,818 15 3 Basu SYAMACHARANA BaNERJI. Received on Deposit, .., ae 0 3 0 —— 0 2 0 BALANCE oF 1866, In the Bank of Bengal, ... oes, ee 410 Cash in hand, wea awe 24 5 Vie) 8S Sa ST Total, Rs. 9,987 11 6 ee Examined, Errors and Omissions Excepted, ° Sd. PrarApacHanDRa GHosHa, Sd, BuppinatH Bysack, Asst. Secry: Cash Keeper, Asiatic Society, Bengal. Asiatic Society, Bengal, Examined and found correct, Sd. J. ANDERSON Pavt, ; » H. BLOCHMANN, } Auditors. = Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. XVil DISBURSEMENTS. Brought over, Rs. 9,248 12 0 AIN 1 AKBARI. Copying Charges, ... ba fi OO o Salary to the Moonshee, ae pear OF. O Ditto Freight for pit Ain i Akbari, aed ne 25 0 0 zy ————._ 426 0 0 249 4 0 _ BALANCE. he Bank of Bengal, ... cnt, ota Lb.6 .in hand, sed on 0 0 0 Rs. 9,987 11 6 : Examined, Errors and Omissions Excepted, | PrarAPACHANDRA GHOSHA, Sd. BupprnatH Bysack, - Asst. Secry. Cash Keeper, Asiatic Society, Bengal, Asiatic Society, Benga Examined and found Correct, (Sd.) J. ANDERSON PauL ; » H. Buocumann, > Auditors. Nn he Ue q . PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For January, 1868. —— _ The Annual General meeting of the Asiatic Society of Bengal was held on Wednesday the 15th January, 1868. _ Dr. Fayrer, President, in the chair. The Secretary read the Council’s report for the past year. ANNUAL REPORT. In reviewing the progress of the Society’s affairs during the past year, the Council feel that they are justified in congratulating the Society on its present ameliorated position. The financial condition of the Society is, indeed, not yet so satisfactory as could be desired; but the heavy debts brought to the notice of the Society at the close of 1866, have been greatly reduced on the one hand; and on the other, strict economy and an income beyond what had been anticipated, have placed the Society in a position better than that which they held at the beginning of the year by not less than 4400 rupees. They feel that _ they may now express aconfident hope that by continuing in a similar ourse of rigid economy for another year, they may be able to rescue the Society from debt, and to recommend a more liberal expenditure than they now feel justified in incurring, both on the Library and _ able increase on the previous year. The Society has lost 5 ordinary “members by death, and 20 by resignation, making a total of 25; a while not fewer than 54 new members have joined the Society, making 2 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ JAN. absent by 15. Two members whose names had been struck off from _ the list by mistake, have been re-instated at their own desire. The following comparative numerical abstract of the member list for the last 10 years affords a convincing proof of the steady increase in the prosperity of the Society. Paying. Absent. Total, ISSAT. ALAC WE, 193 40 233 760 3. tee oar 135 45 180 TOC et as ates, 195 47 242 Leite tee ee 225 55 281 ABR OR ec ear ees: 229 82 311 1 RSI A es Ee 276 79 355 16644. Jo, xlgloa® oldy 288 92 880 Cy eins eae enen 267 109 876 HORE Sesh ee 293 94 387 1867 cueey, neg, Add. 20), 307 109 416 Of the Ordinary members of the Society, the Council have to re-_ gret the decease of General Sir J. B. Hearsay, Captain A. R. Fuller, — Director of Public Instruction in the Panjab; Lieutenant-Colonel Short of the Bengal Engineers ; the Honorable Pandit Shambhunatha, ~ the first native of this country who has ever occupied the exalted position of Judge of the High Court of Bengal; and Babu Jadava- krishna Singha, for some years an active member of the Society, as” Vice-President, and as a member of its Council, and of the Philological _ Committee. : Of the Honorary members, two eminent names are on the obituarll of last year ; two others must also be noticed, which should have ap- peared on that of 1866, had the Council been apprised of the loss wheal preparing their Annual report. E M. Reinaud, a member of the Imperial Institute of France, and Professor of Arabic, was for 26 years an Honorary member of the. Society. He was elected in 1840, in recognition of his eminence as an ‘Oriental scholar, in which capacity he was at one time well-known to the Philological members of the Society. He died in the beginealy of 1866 at an advanced age. Colonel Sir G. Everest, whose decease was announced by the Presic 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 3 dent in his address of last year, is too well-known as the former head of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, to need more than the mention of his name; a name which will go down to future times _ associated with the loftiest known peak in India and the world. . The decease of Rajah Sir Radhakanta Deva, one of the most emi- nent men that Bengal has produced, was announced to the Society at _ the meeting in May, on which occasion, Babu Rajendralala Mitra addressed to the Society a well merited and interesting eulogium on his distinguished and most useful life. Professor Francis Bopp, perhaps more than any living man, contri- ‘buted to lay the foundation of the modern Science of Comparative Philology. His Comparative Grammar published in 1845, is the ‘noblest monument of his life. 2 Musrum. _ The management of the Museum has been in the hands of the Trustees appointed under Act XVII. of 1866, since the Ist May 1866. ‘The formal transfer of the Society’s Collections has not yet taken place, as the lists required by section 13 of the Act are not yet completed. This work has been undertaken by Dr. J. Anderson, Natural History a retary to the Society, and a portion of the lists are now in the hands of the Council. Provision has been made in the Budget for the Bashing year for carrying on this work, which the Council hope will be completed before the expiration of the year. FINANCE. bs will be remembered that, owing to the heavy expenditure on the Museum and building repairs in 1865 and 1866, the state of the So- siety’s finances at the commencement of the past year was such as to de- 4 mand the urgent attention of the Council. As ascertained at the time | 7,900; but this amount was found on further enquiry to be consider- ably below the truth, and the statement of Assets and Liabilities pub- lished in the Proceedings in August last, shewed that they amounted to not less’than Rs. 9,072-3-4.* Against this, the Society’s Cash _ Assets were Rs. 2, 893-5-2'and outstandings to the amount of Rs. 8,136- preparing the report, the liabilities of the Society amounted to Rs. a ‘ One item of Rs. 735-0-0, viz. Subscription to Oriental Translation Fund, has been struck off by order ‘of the Finance Committee, thus reducing the bilities at the end of 1866 to Rs, 8,337-3-4. 4 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. 3-2. The Cash Assets and outstandings therefore exceeded the liabilities by Rs. 1,957-5-0 only, even assuming, (what is certainly not the case,) that the whole of the outstandings could be realized. Accordingly, active measures were taken to diminish the expenditure of the Society. A Budget statement was prepared, based on the income and expenditure of previous years, and it was decided that a certain proportion of the sum alloted to each item should be set apart to — diminish the liabilities incurred for that item in previous years. The © Financial Committee were entrusted with entire control over the — expenditure, and strict injunctions were issued, that the expenditure on each item should not exceed the Budget estimate, except on urgent grounds and with the special sanction of the Council, on the © report of the Finance Committee. 7 The result of these measures is shewn by the following compara- tive statement of actual income and expenditure as compared with the — estimates. It will be seen that while the income of the year has ex- § by Rs. 510 only, and that there is a net saving of Rs. 1848. A large portion of the expenditure has moreover been applied to the reduction of debt, so that the Cash assets are now Rs. 5,526-4-5 and the outstandings Rs. 9,071-10-8 ; while the liabilities are Rs. 7,451 | 11-10 only. ~ _- 24 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [J an. and in doing so, I alluded to his merits not only as an oriental scholar _ and author, but as a foremost man in native society, and a leader of — Hindoo thought. His great work, the Sanscrit Encyclopedia, (Sabda 4 Kalpadruma) of 8,000 pages, over which the greater part of his life and much of his fortune had been spent, has immortalized him in Sanscrit literature, as have his many virtues in the hearts of his coun- trymen; it has gained for him the highest honour from scholars and crowned heads in Europe, and last of all, and perhaps that which afforded him most gratification, the knighthood of the Star of India, as a recognition by the Kmpress of India of the claims of her learned _ subject. His labours and character are so well-known, that it is un- necessary for me to add to the many appropriate encomiums that have been passed on his life and works; I have only to place on record — the deep regret with which we learned that India had lost one of her — most distinguished scholars, and our Society one of its most honored members. M. Reinaud was born at Lambesc en Provence in 1795, and com- | menced his education at Aix, whence he went to Paris in 1814, to begin those oriental studies in which he subsequently became so great a master. He was elected an honorary member of this Society in March 1840, and I regret to say we have received news that the death of this great Arabic scholar took place on the 2nd January, 1867, at Nice. M. Reinaud was professor of Arabic in the school of living oriental languages in Paris. He was also custodian of the oriental MSS in the Imperial Library, and he was the author of many historical and geographical works. He has left two which are about to be pub lished ; one is a report on the progress of Arabic literature in France: during the past 20 years. The other is the first volume of a collec- | tion of Arabian historians of the Crusades, the publication of which | had been entrusted to him by the “ Académie des inscriptions.” M. Mohl in his address to the Société Asiatique de Paris has the following — remarks :— “Tn his ardour for work, M. Reinaud paid regard neither to the demands of age nor the exhaustion of his powers. About two years iy , — 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 25 : completion of that which he had begun. He ought indeed to have ; ceased at that time from all labour, but he could not reconcile himself _ to inactivity ; and the consequence was, that he fell a victim to one of _ those terrible accidents by which an overwrought brain sometimes _ revenges itself on those who deny it necessary rest.”’ _ M. Reinaud was President of the Societe Asiatique for 20 years, and he discharged the duties of that office with extraordinary exacti- | tude. It was his perseverance in all he undertook, that enabled him to attain to the high position he held. It was by slow but incessant labour, and by being careful never for a moment to lose sight of the “Object he had in view, that he was enabled to render his talents so profitable. For his high attainments in Arabic literature, he was | elected an honorary member of this Society in March, 1840. - It is not only in Philology that our loss has been heavy, we have “whose fame too had been acquired in India. The death of Sir George Everest would have been noticed at the last annual meet- “This eminent Surveyor and Geographer was born at Gwerndale, Brecon, on 4th July, 1790, and entered the Bengal Artillery in 1806. | have commenced. Having been selected for the duty by Sir Stamford Raffles, he made a reconnaissance survey of Java, during the British Occupation of that Island from 1814 to 1816. His next work of im- | ortance on his return to India, was in connection with Engineering, d particularly on the Telegraph between Benares and Calcutta. in 1818 he entered the great Trigonometrical Survey as an assistant, nd his first employment in this new Department was in the Nizam’s dominions. Here the climate so much affected his health, that he was ciety, on the circumstances appertaining to the Abbé de la Caille’s in 1823, on the death of Colone] aambton, Captain Everest be- ne Superintendent of the Survey, and he worked with so much ardour in this new office, that he was compelled to go to England for | est and change. He returned to India well supplied with Geodetical 26 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. Instruments, and fortified by his own study of all that was new or | important in the surveys in Europe. He was now appointed to the — high office of Surveyor General of India. Under his direction, this work progressed, and other measurements of the great arc were carried on, until the whole Indian arc from Cape Comorin to the Himalayas — was completed. The operations involved in this important work were described by. Colonel Everest in his work on “ the measurements of two Sections of | the Meridional arc of India.’’ He was elected an honorary member of this Society in 1860, and on that occasion it was justly said—‘‘ Of the many works executed under Colonel Everest’s directions, the most. important, and that by which he will be best known to posterity is the Northern portion of the great Meridional arc of India, 112° in length. No Geodetic measure in any part of the world surpasses or perhaps equals in accuracy this splendid achievement. By the light it throws on researches into the figure and dimensions of tM earth, it forms one of the most valuable contributions to that branch of science, which we possess, whilst at the same time it constitutes a foundation for the geography of Northern India, the integrity of which must for ever stand unquestioned. Colonel Everest reduced the whole syste of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India to order, and established the fixed basis on which the geography of India now rests.” His name is perpetuated in India by being associated with one of nature’s grandest works. The highest peak of the Himalayah 29,002 feet above the level of the sea, is Mount Everest : a graceful compliment to his distinguished predecessor, paid by Sir A. Waugh, the lat Surveyor General. On retiring from the service he received the honors of Knighthood, and was elected on the Council of more than one learned Society. They, in common with ourselves, have to deplore the loss ; this great geographer, whose death occurred at the ripe age of 77 when he had been about six years an honorary member of this Society From the ordinary list we have to regret theloss of Major General Sir J. B. Hearsay, K. C. B. a member since the year 1848. Thougl I am not aware of any contribution especially made to the Society by this distinguished officer, it is worthy of record that amid the arduous duties of a Military Commander, he yet found leisure as a sportsman for the exercise of his tastes as a field naturalist. 4 -.1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | 27 Though hardly the occasion to descant on the brilliant Military career of the deceased, I may not omit a simple reference to the long and. distinguished service, which, commencing in Bundeleund in 1809, became more conspicuous in the Pindaree campaign, and gained for him preeminent distinction at Seetabuldee, again at Bhurtpore, and later in the Punjab and at Guzerat, until finally he gained his ‘greatest laurels during the mutiny; services which won for him not only the honors of the Knighthood of the Bath, but the respect and admiration of his countrymen. | _ In addition to the persons whose names I have mentioned, the ‘Society has to regret the loss of several other members. Lieutenant- Colonel Short, R. Bengal Engineers ; Major Fuller, R. A. Director of Public Instruction in the Punjab. The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Shum- boonath Pundit, the first native judge of the High Court, and Baboo Jadava Krishna Singh. These gentlemen were all.distinguished in heir own especial walks of life, but, with the exception of Baboo . Jadava Krishna Singh, a Sanscrit scholar of note, who served asa | y ember of the Council, and was for three years a Vice-President, none of them, that I am aware of, took an active part in the work of the Society. | I am happy to announce that the Government has generously granted a sum of Rs, 680 for the repairs of Sir W. Jones’s tomb. It appears to have fallen of late into ruin, and an estimate being alled for, we found that the sum required was beyond the strait- ned resources of the Society. We accordingly applied to Go- ernment, who, with prompt liberality, granted the necessary funds. the repairs are again progressing, having been retarded by the late yclone. There has been some delay, but we have reason to believe ‘that ere long the resting place of the Founder of our Society will be Testored to a state of decent repair. Tam glad to say that, notwithstanding casualties, our numbers we increased, we have had an addition of 53 new members to jour list. By death or resignation we have lost 27, but this ‘still leaves us a net increase of 26, which, added to 391, the whole 28 | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | [ Jan. There are four vacancies among the honorary members, and it will be the duty of the Council to submit certain names distinguished either in Philological or Physical science, that I believe will command universal approval. In addition to the subjects discussed at the monthly meetings, there are others that require notice. In Dec. 1865, I proposed to the Council that an effort should be made, with the aid of Government, to bring together in one great congress, representatives of the races of — man of the old world, pointing out, at the same time, that Calcutta was — peculiarly favorably situated for the accomplishment of such a pro- — ject ; the suggestion was well received by the Council, and it has been | approved by scientific men generally, Great difficulties lay in the way, — but none, it appeared to me, that science, aided by money, could not overcome ; and as the object was one of universal interest, it was not surprising that it excited attention, for surely on no point of natural | science could investigation be better bestowed, than on that which might throw light on some of the most interesting problems in the ~ natural history, age, and affinities of our race. I must here express my acknowledgments to Mr. EH. C. Bayley the — President, to the Council, and to Dr. J. Anderson, the Nat. Hist. Secretary, for the encouragement and assistance I received from them towards the development of the project. The Society is also deeply indebted to the Government for the part it has taken in ad- ~ vancing the subject of ethnological enquiry. Reports have been called for by all the Governments from their subordinates in India, -and already a large collection of valuable papers on the various tribes under their jurisdiction have been received. Photographic representations of many of the Hill races have been presented, and not only has sanction been accorded to Colonel Dalton to edit a work on certain of the Indian tribes, of which work four chapters are already finished, but Dr. Simpson, who has done so much already for Ethnology with his Camera, has been permitted by Government to complete the photographs still wanting to illustrate the work. lee has been a subject of great gratification to the Hthnological Com- mittee to find that so many of these gentlemen, notwithstanding their multifarious and arduous duties, have entered into the enquity — with spirit, and have furnished reports that are as creditable to them as . - 1868.] t Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 29 ~ valuable to us. To Colonel Dalton especially are we inlebted for “many contributions, and for his services in editing the work upon which he is now engaged. | The original design of a congress of all the races of the old world, “has undergone some modification, and it has been reduced to the ~ minor proportion of a congress of the races of India. The scheme progresses but slowly. Financial difficulties stand in _ the way, and it is not yet sufficiently matured, to assure us that any prospect of its early realization is practicable, but still the subject of ethnology has received an impulse, and men’s minds are gradually _ becoming more and more imbued with interest in one of the leading * HWTHNOLOGICAL REpoRtTs, Received from the Government of Bengal. | From the 24-Pergunnahs, - Cuttack, # Patna. Purneah, Beerbhoom, Bhaugulpore. Burdwan. Chittagong. Western and Hastern Doars, Assam. Dacca. " Tirhoot. Rajshye. Straits Settlement, Through the Government of India, Home Department. Central India. Rewah. Gwalior, Bhopal. Malwa. Nowgong. Sirdarpore, _ Hyderabad. Through the Government of N. W. P, Dehra Dhoon. Etah. Saharunpore. Mynpoorie, Mozuffnuggur, Furruckabad, Meerut. ; Futtehpore. Boolundshur, Allahabad. Allyghur. Hameerpore. Rohilcund. Cawnpore. Agra, Banda. 30 | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. the aid of Government, the Society is gradually becoming acquainted b | with the numerous variéties of the human race living under the Indian Empire. Craniological collections are also being made by the Natural History Secretary, and to these also, from the valuable aid of the District and Medical Officers, we look for further contri- butions. im At the last meeting of the British Association, held at Dundee, the — subject of enquiry into the history, habits and péculiarities of certain of the Autocthones of India was discussed, and a committee of Savans- nominated for the purpose of communicating with the Secretary of State for India, with the view of obtaining information on these and kindred subjects. As this question, on a larger scale, had already been raised by this Society some time ago, I wrote to the Secretary to Government in the Home Department begging him to move Govern- £ ment, in the event of any action being taken by the Secretary of State at the instance of the Committee of the British Association, to associate our enquiry with theirs. The Government was pleased to reply that the action of the Asiatic Society in this matter had already been reported to the Secretary of State, and that with reference to delay on the part o 3 some of the subordinate governments in sending in ethnological reports, reminders should be forwarded to such as had not yet complied with the requisition. With reference to the reports already received, I should weary your patience were I to enter into details. But I take this opportunity of placing on record the cordial acknowledgments of the Society Busti. ; Benares, Mirzapore. Ghazipore. Bombay Government. Kurrachee. Kaeri. Sind. Surat. Hydrabad. Poonah. Ahmedabad. Madras Government. Two reports from the Inspector General of Madras. i. —-1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 31 4q 7 to those gentlemen who have done so much for ethnology, and who, amid the labours of their official duties, have yet found time to compile these valuable papers. _ As to the scheme itself, I may say that it has been generally ap proved of. All see the difficulties, but all equally recognize its value if carried out in ‘a liberal and scientific spirit. My friend, Professor Huxley, gave it his approval, and regretted that he should not have the opportunity of being here to see it carried out. ‘For my own part I cannot see that the difficulties to be overcome are greater than those which had to be dealt with in the Great Ex- hibitions in England and France, or even on a minor scale in this country. ‘The success of these proves that where the will exists, the Way is not impracticable. It is merely a question of money and %¢ ientific enterprise. In the former we may be wanting, but I trust not in the latter, and Iam glad to think that the experiment, on a small scale, has already been made in the Central Provinces, by the spirited and energetic ruler of that part of India. eI am, however, quite aware that the present is not the time to hope for much pecuniary support or aid from Government. Famine and flood, war and pestilence have prior claims to science on the coffers of the state and the liberality of the public ; in the mean time we must go on sollecting all the information we can get, feeling thankful for what we lave already received, and looking hopefully for more. It is with great pleasure that I refer to the sanction of Government ecorded to the appointment of scientific observers with the expeditions bo t to penetrate into Abyssinia and Younan. On learning that an ex- edition was to enter Abyssinia for the purpose of releasing the British abjects kept in duresse by King Theodorus, I addressed the Secretary . the Home Department, in the name of the Society, requesting him to ove Government to sanction the appointment of scientific observers to company the expedition, pointing out briefly the interest with which ience looked on this opportunity of adding to our knowledge of the , fauna, Flora, Mineralogy and Geology of these countries. The opportuni- ‘ty was also taken of asking for the appointment of some one to accompany t le expedition then projected to the Nicobar Islands. Almost by return of post, we received the gratifying intelligence that the Viceroy had 22 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. | the former and Mr. J. Ball to the latter expedition. We learned shortly after that the Bombay Government contemplated the orga-— nization of a scientific establishment on an extensive scale, and we therefore anticipate the most satisfactory results. The expedition to the Nicobars has apparently been abandoned and Mr. Ball’s services are consequently in abeyance. It is not less satisfactory to know that another member of our Society, Lt. Beavan of the Bengal Staff Corps has been appointed by the Secre- tary of State, at the instance of the Zoological Society in London, to accompany the expedition to Abyssinia, as Naturalist. We have thus” earnest of real work, and we look forward to most important results. Our energetic Natural History Secretary, Dr. J. Anderson, Curator of the Indian Museum, has been appointed by the Government of Pegu to accompany the expedition into Younan. As this is a country all but unknown and unexplored, we have promise in the well-known energy of our Secretary of much valuable addition, not only to our stock of knowledge, but also to our collections. It is not only in these special fields of research, but I am happy to say all over India that our members are zealously working, and by their contributions daily adding to our knowledge of the country, its products, its people and their languages. ; The various Committees of the Council have worked zealously and well. It would be impossible in the short space of time available fo an address of this nature to specify or even notice all their proceedings, I shall content myself by remarking on what is most important, The Philological Committee have made arrangements for printing ¢ Grammar of the Lepcha tongue by Major Mainwaring, and application has been made to Government for the Major’s services, that he may | have an opportunity of revising his Grammar among the Lepchas — themselves. . The Chief Commissioner of Rohilcund has also been requested te obtain for the Committee, a Catalogue of the Persian works in t e Library of the Rajah of Rampore. a On the recommendation of their Secretary, Babu R. Mitra, the a Philological Committee have adopted the Jonesian system of translitera- tion, as modified by Professor Wilson, in spelling oriental words; and have also adopted a key to the system, by the Secretary, who has printed % — -1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, 33 _ and circulated 2,500 copies. It is to be hoped that this key to a a uniform system of spelling Indian words will bear abundant fruit ; for the Government has directed its distribution among the officers who are engaged in making ethnologial reports. _ Withreference to the new Act for registering every book print- ed, and for keeping copies of each to form a Bengal library, the Committee had offered, on certain conditions, if required, to take charge of the books; but the necessity for doing so has been obviated by the appointment of a Librarian on the part of the Government. _ It is with great satisfaction that the Committee report the com- pletion of the long expected Pali Grammar. Be The important question of the Catalogue has been frequently dis- cussed, but without any satisfactory conclusion having been arrived at. ‘Tt has, however, been resolved that a revised edition of the alphabetical Catalogue shall be published meanwhile. The state of the library has improved since last year ; the Librarian F has arranged in separate cases all the works on Natural History, Botany, Agriculture, Grammar, Mathematics, Chemistry, Meteorology, Law, Theology, the Dictionaries and Transactions of Societies, which were formerly mingled, without order. This new arrangement_is on the point of being completed. A classified list of all the works on natural-history has also been drawn out. The hours during which the library is kept open have also been ex- tended : it is now open from 10 to 5, instead of to 4 p. m., and I may i cidentally mention, that the Council have acknowledged the merits of the Assistant Librarian, Babu Money Lal Bysack, by increasing his salary. | New books, periodicals, papers and transactions of learned Societies ave been received as usual, and to the extent following :— memivew books, presentations, .........c.ccccceccveraveoveseeee 248 By) Do. from Government, ......... . cessesseees Hes bre 67 MMMEMihors’ editions, ..5.........c0ecseeesesasseees pe Ne 49 _ From Societies, foreign and local, Ae ae iaeees ch 132 No. of papers received, -... sesseeeeesecseasee s sereeeees 23 Most of the new books are works on natural history. With refer- é to the new alphabetical catalogue sanctioned by the Council, the 34 . Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. Library Committee have asked for a grant of Rs. 1,600, which the Finance Committee will grant when the funds will admit of it. As to donations of specimens, a considerable number have been received, of various kinds : they have been added to the other collections transferred to the Indian Museum. But as the inventory of the specimens to be _ made over is not yet complete, the formal transfer is not yet accom- plished ; nor can it be until the new Museum is ready for their reception. I may add that, with the view of completing the inventory, two — assistants have been employed, entailing a considerable expense on — the Society whose funds at present are ill able to bear any extra strain. We have therefore, as the work is done as much in the interests of the Museum, as of the Society, asked the trustees of the Museum to share the expense attending the completion of a catalogue raisonnée of the — collection. The Natural History Committee has also transacted its share of the business of the Society. At the first meeting I proposed that an attempt should be made r to establish a zoological garden in Calcutta. At the subsequent — meetings, the Committee matured the scheme; ways and means, ; plans and localities were discussed, examined and inspected, and the project becoming known, it received the munificent offer _ of 30,000 Rupees from the Rajah of Burdwan, and of Rs. 3000 from — Babu Rajendra Mullick. The Committee subsequently associat- ed itself with the Agri-horticultural Society with the view a developing the project into the more extensive one of a public garden, _ a peoples’s park, where not only might the public seek recreation and — health, but also have the opportunity of studying natural history and- horticulture. It applied to the Government of Bengal for a piece 4 of land for the purpose; subsequently a deputation from the joint Committees waited on the Lieutenant-Governor and explained their | object. It met with a most gracious reception, and Mr. Grey expressing himself generally in concurrence, stated that he had doubts as to its suceess, and as to whether the piece of ground asked for, viz. the Kidderpore property, recently taken over by Government from the Orphan Society, would be given; but promised to examine the site, and give a reply to the deputation. Up to this time, no answer has been received ; but the Committee feel satisfied that this as 1868. | _ Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 35 all other questions, concerning the public good, will receive His Honor’s due and deliberate consideration. As tothe subject of the garden, I hope the project will not be abandoned ; for not only is Calcutta wanting in a Zoological garden, but also in public and open spaces away from the city, where the _ people can combine instruction with recreation ; in this respect it is far _ behind other cities in India. In the department of Numismatics, some additions have been made _ to the collections; about 30 ancient coins have been added to the _ Cabinet, besides a large collection of modern European gold and silver _ pieces, which were purchased from the Bank of Bengal. Arrange- _ ments are being made for rearranging the collection. _ a Though not so completely as we could wish, yet some work has _ been done in the department of meteorology ; and with the aid of g Government, which has to a considerable extent already been afforded, _ it is to be hoped that a system of meteorological observations may be _ carried on throughout the country that shall be of service and capable _ of rendering trustworthy conclusions on this all-important subject. _ In1864, our Secretary, Mr. Blanford, drew up a report on the subject of ‘ the Asiatic Society’s action in promoting meteorology, which was sub- 2 mitted to Government. In March 1865, Sir Cecil Beadon appointed _ aCommittee, consisting of three members of the Society, viz. Col. Gas- & trell and Messrs. Blanford and Obbard, to arrange and carry out a plan of meteorological observation for the protection of the port, by enabling Z.. shipping to have warning of approaching storms. The Com- _ mittee established a series of stations, beginning with Saugor Island, j ‘from which telegrams were received twice a day, and one of the ~ members undertook the examination and revision of these reports, and warned the shipping through the Master Attendant, whenever _ the reports indicated approaching mischief. The most noticeable tesult of the Committee’s labours is the preparation of a report on | the eyclone of 1864, by Col. Gastrell and Mr. Blanford, which was published by the Bengal Government and distributed to a large number of scientific bodies and eminent meteorologists in Europe, America, and elsewhere. | In April last the executive work of this Committee was trans- i ferred to a paid officer, (Mr. Blanford) and steps are now being 36 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ Jan. taken to extend the system to a considerable number of stations throughout Bengal, and we can only hope that such encouragement and aid may be held out, as to render the scheme not only of scientific value, a but also of actual utility in warning and preparing the people throughout the province generally, of the approach of such terrible visitations as the cyclones of 1864 and 1867. There can be no doubt that the practical value of such an arrangement was prominently shewn in the case of the late cyclone, where the shipping being duly warned, were enabled to make preparations against the hurricane. Could such warning have been more general, it is impossible to say how much of life and property might not have been preserved. The Committee have recommended to Government that certain stations in the city, the Dockyards or near the river, shall be appointed, where warning and danger signals may be shewn when the approach of astorm ~ is apprehended. Speculation on the past is, however useless, unless — it be with the view of profiting for the future—and while we feel regret — that comparatively little has yet been done, we may look forward with . hope to a wider and more direct extension of this application of science to practical purposes and ends. Inthe N. W. and Punjab, paid officers were appointed as meteorological reporters, about the same time as the Committee was appointed in Bengal, and two annual reports — have already been published. Im Madras, I may observe, a system of meteorological observations is being carried out, which appears worthy of imitation. It is systematic from the commencement, and the whole being placed, from the outset, under one well qualified meteo- | rologist, the greatest care is given to the comparison and proper — testing of the instruments. The observers are trained to their | work, and have it alone to attend to. All stations will be furnished with complete sets of instruments, and no registration will be attemp- ted until these preliminaries are satisiactorily completed. It is the attempt, no doubt unavoidable, to commence with imperfect means, that has rendered much of the work hitherto performed in Bengal, — the North West Provinces, and the Punjab of less value than could be 3 desired. The meteorological officers, both of Bengal and the N. y { Provinces are most anxious to give to their own departments, that completeness and uniformity, that constitute the great merit of the Madras system, and to adopt an uniform system of registration im all 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 37 the Presidencies; while they are fully awake to the importance of . working cordially together. There is every reason therefore to believe, that with the support of Government, a system of meteorological ; registration will before long be adopted throughout the greater part of India, possessing the all-important characteristics of unifor- mity and trustworthiness. The system of storm-warnings is at _ present peculiar to Calcutta, where indeed it is of most importance. Inthe late cyclone, the reporter was able to give notice to the Master Attendant, about eight or nine hours before the wind became _ violent, and eleven hours before the storm reached its maximum. _ Some correspondence on the subject of the meteorological reports during the late cyclone, will probably be laid before the next ordinary meeting. _ The Asiatic Society has dads inaugurated a system of meteorological observations and registration, and has long published the reports which are kept in the Surveyor General’s office and for which we herewith : offer our acknowledgements; it has also been acting conjointly with Government in aiding the furtherance of the important subject of registration. I trust that neither failure of scientific energy of the | observers on the one hand, nor lack of aid on the other, will prevent the development of what is so much needed, a eb iedokis scientific Bin practical system of meteorological observation and registration throughout India. And here I think I may take the opportunity of offering a remark (as germane to the subject) on Physical science generally, as represented in our educational establishments in India. ‘The immense development of the Physical sciences has been declared by the Duke of Argyll to be “characteristic of our times,” and | truly we might be glad if we could apply this remark to India; “fo: if ever we propose to educate the people thoroughly, to lead | them from lower to higher truths, it can only be by making them | =e with the subjects included under the comprehensive term “of “Physical Science.” If superstition and prejudice are to be prooted as a preparation of the way for more enlightenment, and knowledge of a higher kind, it can only be by imbuing them with @ comprehension of those general laws by which all physical pheno- ce are regulated. I before remarked that one object of this Society, 38 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. and one that has perhaps been too little heeded, is the advancement of Physical Science in this country. It is not here, though, that the elemen- tary knowledgecould be imparted, but in the schools where the youthful mind is trained to observation and comprehension of laws, the results of whose operations are recorded and verified here. And yet, I regret to say, the only means of teaching even the rudiments of Physical Science in this Presidency, (I know not how it is in the others,) are such as are afforded by one chair in the Presidency and those in the Medical College in Calcutta, whilst in the N. W. not a single chair of Physical Science, with the exception of that at Roorki, which is restricted to a limited class of Engineering students—exists. It appears to me that this is a subject worthy of consideration, not merely by this Society, but by the educational authorities, with a view to its being remedied ; for not only do we regret the paucity of actual means, but it is to be feared there is a tendency to discourage even those that already exist, and to discontinue the teaching of physical science at all. This is surely — opposed to sound educational policy, especially in the case of a people like the natives of this country ; and it certainly is at variance with the spirit of the University scheme, which has invariably insisted on its adoption. The Journal of the Society has been regularly published, that is to say, two Parts of each series, (the Physical Science and the Philo-— logical) have appeared under the supervision of their respective edi-— tors. There has been delay in their issue, but it was unavoidable. The — cost of bringing out the Physical Science Part has been unusually heavy — this year, and it may perhaps be necessary to delay the issue of the next number. The articles are all interesting, and some of them have been — read at the monthly meetings. I have not time for more than simple allusion to them by name: they are ‘On the Initial Coinage of Bengal,” by HE. Thomas, Esq.; “Notes On the Jumma Musjid of Ktawah,” by C. Horne, Esq. C.8.; ‘ Translation of an Inscription — copied in the temple of Nakhon Vat or the City of Monasteries, near the capital of ancient Kambodia,” by Dr. A. Bastien. In the 2nd No. ‘“‘ Notes on Suraj-ood-dowlah and the town of Moorshedabad, taken from a Persian manuscript of the Tarikhi Mangcuri,” by H. Blochman, Esq. M. A. ; “ Notes on Buddhist Remains near Mynpoorie,” by C. Horne, Esq. B. C.8.; “Notes on the Carvings on the Buddhist post-rails at 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 39 at Buddh Gaya,” by the same author; “‘ The Pegu Pagdda” by Capt. H. A. Browne, Deputy Commissioner of Rangoon; “On the Anti- ; quities of Bagerhat,” by Babu Gourdass Bysakh, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Manbhoom ; and “ On the Translation of Indian Alphabets in the Roman character ;” by F. 8S. Growse. In the Physical Science section, edited by the Natural History Secretary, we have several elaborate papers under the following — ~~ a PS headings “ Experimental Investigations connected with the supply of _ water. from the Hooghly to Calcutta,” by D. Waldie, Esq. ; “ Kashmir, the western Himalaya, and the Afghan Mountains,” being a geological _ paper, by Dr. Albert Verchere, with a note on the fossils by _ M. Edouard. de Verneuil; and “ Contributions to Indian Malacology, being a List of Estuary shells collected in the delta of the Irawady in [ - Pegu, with descriptions of the new species,” By W. T. Blanford, Esq. The Physical Science Part of the J ournal bids fair to attain to as high a place in the estimation of the scientific world, as that the Liter- _ ary and Archeological has so long held in its own department. It would be impossible for me to give even an abstract of these _ papers in the short space of time available for an address of this : ; there can, however, be no doubt that the selection has been well made, and that each of them is a valuable contribution to the 7 panals of science. - You have learned, from the Philological Secretary, what the pro- ceedings of the Bibliotheca Indica have been during the past year. Its labours have progressed with the usual ardour displayed by { the learned Philologers who conduct the publication of the oriental _ Works: which render it so much valued, not only in India, but by oriental scholars in Europe. The death of one of its most learned | editors has interfered with the publication of the Sanscrit works ; but those in Persian have appeared with the usual vigour. It is unnecessary for me to Say more on a subject that has already been $0 fully reported on by the gentleman under whose guidance it is | cor nducted. |e You have heard, from the annual report, a detailed account of the ‘. of our finances, which I am glad to say, thongh not in a very iE sperous condition, are better than they were last year. The indica- “tion of the necessity for economy, however, is unmistakeable ; and the 4 40 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. Finance Committee will need to exercise most rigid supervision over the expenditure, to keep within bounds and preserve the Society from debt. The actual condition, it appears, is about as follows. We have Rs. 3,487 in the Bank of Bengal, a small sum of Rupees 38 in hand; Go- vernment secerities to the extent of Rupees 2000, and an uncertain amount, said to be about Rupees 9,070 of outstanding dues; making a total of Rupees 14,598. Great part of this no doubt will be gathered in in time, but some of it I fear must be written off to Profit and Loss. Against this, we have debts of Rupees 7,450, the main items being for printing; Rs. 4,974 to one Press. This leaves us free from difficulties, and though not rich, we are certainly not embarassed by any immediate pecuniary anxiety. By strict supervision on the part of the Finance Committee, and economy in the Council, I trust that we shall be able to continue without getting into debt, and with the increase — of Members which may be anticipated, I hope next year may see the Society more prosperous than it has been. T should omit an important part of my duty, were I to fail, on this occasion, to express the thanks that are due from the Society to the Honorary Officers ; to Mr. Blanford, and to Mr. Ormsby who officiated during Mr. Blanford’s temporary absence—to Dr. J. Anderson, the Natural History Secretary ; to Babu Rajendralal Mittra the Philo-— logical Secretary ; to Colonel Gastrell, the Honorary Treasurer, and to- Mr. Medlicott who acted during Col. Gastrell’s absence. To the exer- tions of those gentlemen, and especially to those of the General Secretary Mr. Blanford, we mainly owe the Society’s prosperity. Their labours are very arduous, and must encroach seriously on such leisure as may be left by their public duties. How successfully these good offices have been performed, is proved by the present state of the Society ; and in its name, | now express our warmest acknowledgements. In recognizing our debt to the honorary officers, I must not forget our obligations to others. The Assistant Secretary and Librarian, and his Assistant have conducted their duties with much zeal and energy as well as — with advantage to the Society, and therefore merit our best thanks. officers of the Institution. I must now conclude, as I fear I have already trespassed too long on your patience. I can only beg of you to overlook the imperfect. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 41 way in which I have performed my part of the work, and express a hope that under my successor, the progress of the Society may be all that you can desire. I am most grateful for the consideration that would have allowed me to retain the chair I now vacate; but I feel _ more than ever the force of what I said, when I accepted the office, that it should be held by some one-with more leisure and more Special aptitude than I have for the work. I feel that this, almost the only scientific Society ‘on this side of India, should have great _ aspirations, as I believe it has a great work to perform. Its object is to develope the scientific resources of India, and to make them known _ to Burope, to influence both countries for their mutual good. How _ much this implies, I cannot now stop to speculate. | ‘ . _ To preside over a Society with such aims is, I repeat, the work of those who represent philological or physical science, and I am : glad to think that I make over my trust to one so eminently fulfilling this condition, My own interest in the Society of which I am now an old member, will remain unabated, and I shall look forward with confidence to its rise to a point of equality among other similar Societies in Hurope, feeling sure that if it be conducted in aécordance with the Founder’s wishes, the ends he looked for, will certainly be attained. Dr. Fayrer then vacated the chair, which was taken by the Hon’ble . B. Phear. The meeting then resolved itself into an ordinary monthly meeting. Ordinary Meeting. _ The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following presentations were announced— From Dr. T. Anderson, Superintendent, Botanical Gardens. ' Dats A copy of Mr. Kurz’s “ Report on the vegetation of the Anda- ‘man Islands.” | b 2. From Dr, Frauz sinadtanStlon through Dr. F. Stoliezka: four | = Reise’ der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859: Zoologischer Theil ; Erster Band. Reptilien. ‘ Do. do. Amphibien. / F. - Ichthyologische Mittheilungen (1X). 42 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jan. Uber einige Fische aus dem Fitzroy Flusse bei Rockhampton in Ost Australien, 3. From Captain T. C. Anderson, two pamphlets, viz—‘‘ A few words about two Andamanese lads;” and ‘‘ Last words of a few Celebrities.” 4, From the Rey. 0. H. A. Dall; Gover’s “‘ Uniform Meteorology for India.”’ 5. From H. Blochmann, Esq. M. A.; The Persian Metres by Saifi, and a treatise on Persian Rhyme by Jami. 6. From Dr. Leitner through Mr. Grote; ‘ Results of a Tour in Dardistan, Kashmir, Little Tibet, Ladak, Zauskar, &e.” Vol. 1 part 1. 7. From Babu Kanayalala Dea; The Indigenous drugs of India. 8. Letters from Major F. B. Norman, H. Beverley Esq. C. 8S. — C. V. Bradford, Esq. and Babu Bholanatha Mallika, intimating their desire to withdraw from the Society, were recorded, The following gentlemen, duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting, were balloted for and elected as ordinary members. Babu Rakhéladisa Haldar. J. Boxwell, Esq. C. S. 9. The following gentlemen were named for ballot as ordinary members at the next meeting. Major Edgar Clark, Bengal Staff Corps ; proposed by Captain A. D. Vanrenen, seconded by Colonel J. E. Gastrell. John Kavenagh, Esq. Assistant Superintendent Survey and Settle- ment officer, Oude; proposed by Captain A. D. Vanrenen, seconded by Colonel J. H. Gastrell. Gordon Robb, Esq. ; proposed by Mr. H. Blochmann, seconded by Mr. Sime. | 2 L. H. Lees, Esq. M. D. Assistant Surgeon, Calcutta; proposed by Dr. Collis, seconded by Mr. J. M. Scott. } The Council recommended the following alteration in the rules of the Society. That to rule 43, the following words be inserted after the words” “entitled to vote,” “ nor shall his name be entered on the member roll,” d The Council recommended that the following gentlemen be elected as Honorary Members of the Society. Dr. T. Thomson. : 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 43 General A. Cunningham. Professor Bapudeva S8’astri. Also that the following gentlemen be elected corresponding Mem- bers of the Society. Professor C. Holmboe, Christiania. M. F. H. Foucaux, Professor of Sanskrit; College de France, Paris. The Philological Secretary drew the attention of the members to “certain valuable Sanskrit manuscripts lately purchased for the Library. .. He said that during a recent tour in the North West, he had opportunities of examining a great number of ancient MSS. be- longing to pandits and others, from which he had selected 169, which he thought were interesting. Among them were 57 Vedic works, including either portions of the Vedas or commentaries on and exegeses of the Vedic rites. Regarding Indian philosophy, there were 11 works on the Vedanta, 8 on the Mimiaijisé, and 22 on the Nydya. There were besides 2 Tantras, 3 grammars, and several on law, metre, rhe- toric, astronomy, &c. Most of the works were scarce and new to the ‘“Society’s Library. _ They were all of some age, and many had been read by generations of Pandits, which had led to their being very carefully corrected. A commentary on the Taittiriya Aranyéka was nearly 300 years old, and of rare accuracy. Proceedings of the Aine Society. 67 ee UY and the barometer of the mover (as observed half an hour later,) one } of 28-784 reduced. The curve of the Durham barometer and that of M. ‘Lafont’s coincide closely throughout,. while that of the observatory ranges much below either up to 8 o’clock, when it rises suddenly to a higher point than either of the above. - This coincidence of two independent barometers leads the Society to think it probable that the observatory record has been vitiated by some unexplained error; an idea which is strengthened by the fact that all the barometric observations made in or near Calcutta, that “have been published, shew a minimum range much less than that of the cyclone of 1864. ~ It cannot be doubted that the rainfall for the height of the Ist and | 2nd is erroneously reported as 2°74 inches. No one who experienced the C5 yclone could reasonably suppose so small a fall, or could doubt that M. Lafont’s register of 6°78 inches must be much nearer the truth. The Anemometer: is stated to have been blown away before the wind reached s greatest violence, but the register of the rainfall‘is that indicated y the anemometer gauge. The question cannot fail to present itself to any reflective mind ;—‘ Were the indications of the rain gauge in . vitiatéd by the destruction of a large part of the recording nstrument ? a Finally, I am requested to solicit an investigation into the causes jat led to the destruction of the anemometer, an accident greatly ) be regretted, as in neither of the two violent cyclones which ve visited Calcutta within last four years, has the maximum ssure of the wind been recorded, and a datum of very great i BR stance both in its economic and scientific bearings has been et: ievably lost. The Society trust that if on investigation it be found ut the cause of destruction has been due to any oversight in the ction of the instrument, the same may be carefully avoided in ixing it. Butif inseparable from the principle of the anemometer loyed, that a form may be selected capable ot resisting and ording the pressure, even of a more violent cyclone than that now nh question. I have &., (Signed) H. F. Branrorp, Secy. As, Soc. Bengal. 68 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Fee. To the Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Sir,—In reply to your letter No. 775 dated the 26th ultimo, I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Asiatic Society, copies of letters from Babu Gopeenautha Sen, the Officiating Superintendent of the Qbservatory, as per margin, regarding the meteorological observations taken at this No. 48, dated 12th instant, Mo MG. duce Sed Gastant office on the night of the 1st and morning of the 2nd November, during the prevalence - of the cyclone which passed over the metropolis. 2. Nobody can regret more than I do, the semblance of imper- fections in important observations of this nature at such a critical time. The Officiating Superintendent of the Qbservatory, Babu Gopeenatha Sen, is very positive as to the fact of the Barometric pressure having been observed hourly, from midnight of the 1st until daylight of the 2nd November. The ten minute observations which had been commenced at the first indications of the storm, were neces sarily stopped after 0h. 20m. on the 2nd, but from all the evidence [ can collect, I fear that, owing to the fury of the storm, and the absence of the officer in charge, who does not reside in the premises, and whe failed to appreciate the importance of the occasion or to shew any zeal and energy in the cause, even the hourly observations cannot implicitly be relied on between the hours noted, on the morning in question ; dependent as they are on the ipse dixit of a very subordinate native observer. , 3. This may be partly attributed to the exposed position of o Meteorological shed, where the Barometer and Thermometers are fixed I was not present at Calcutta myself, but the Deputy Surveyor Gene yal, who was then in charge of my office, considers that it was almos impracticable for a native observer to withstand the cyclone durin those hours, or at all events to read off the observations with sufficient | accuracy or confidence, to warrant the belief in their absolute correct | ness. Had the duties been under competent European supervision I dare say the result would have been different. It is generally sup 5 posed that we have an “observatory” in Calcutta: this popular error has been of long standing. In point of fact, we have no observatory at all, but merely prosecute such observations at the Surveyor Gene-— a 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 69 ral’s Office, in the best way possible with inadequate means; and it has long been a source of the greatest anxiety to me. _ 4, The circumstances under which the Anemometer was destroyed, _ ean easily be explained to the Society, or to the Council on a personal _ visit to the observatory. It is not possible to convey an adequate _ idea on paper, but I may observe that in spite of several additional ; fastenings to the wind gauge subsequent to the former cyclone of _ 1864, the whole of it, together with the leaden roofing of the observa- tory, was blown clean away. Every precaution was: taken, but with such cyclones of unprecedented violence nothing is safe. Different arrangements will now be tried and duplicate instruments put up: ' 5. The main object of these observations was however secured, and ample notice was. furnished to the Master Attendant. as well as to - the Meteorological Reporter to the Government of Bengal, by the - Officiating Superintendent of the Observatory ; but on such important emergencies it appears to me very desirable that the Meteorological _ Reporter should have the means of watching the rise and depression of the mercurial column, and note the curve himself. _ 6. It is gratifying to observe the great interest taken by the meet- ng of the Asiatic Society in the Meteorological Observations, the esults. of which I have for so many years rendered to them. for msertion in their journal. The state of these observations, and the b : ' agency necessary for the purpose, were prominently brought to the hotice of the Government of India in 1864, to the effect quoted in the _ * That if itis intended to carry out margin,* and remedial measures roject for systematic Meteorolo- : : eal . ole Fae in. the most com- most urgently recommended, but I lete and perfect way, it is necessary regret to say without effect. It is 9 appoint a officer of high scientific - ; : * epeint 2 ie the patioral arrange. obvious that native superinten- m aents and supervision of the whole dence alone, and so trifling a na- “Undertaking; the Meteorological obser- : ° yatory to be entirely detached from tive establishment for carrying : a ts Seana ena) as out hourly observations night and | teorological observations” — day, are totally inadequate for ; ‘scientific purposes, and the subject will again be urged on the consis e ration. of Government, in the hope of some speedy change being | made, _?. The subject of the observations recorded during the cyclone, |iaving been entered into more in detail with Mr. Blanford the Meteo- im 70 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Fes. rological Reporter to the Government of Bengal, I have no doubt that gentleman, as he likewise fills the place of Secretary to the Society, will be able to furnish any further information which may be re- quired. I have &e., (Signed) H. L. Tauriiier, Surveyor General of India. Surveyor Genl.’s Office, Calcutta, 12th Dec., 1867. No. 48. From Basu GoprenatHa Sen, im charge of the Observatory. To Cou. H. L. Txurirer, Surveyor Genl. of India. Sir,—With reference to your memo. No. 1642, dated 3rd instant, forwarding for explanation a letter from the Secretary to the Asiatic Society, No. 775, dated 26th ultimo, anent the subject of the Meteorological observations at this office, during the night of the cyclone of Ist and 2nd November, I beg leave to refer you to my letter of the 38rd December, No. 46, wherein, I believe, I have fully explained all the points mooted in paras. 1 to 4 of the Secretary's letter. | . With regard to the 5th para. relating to the Anemometer of this office, I beg to state that shortly after the cyclone of 1864, the instrument was put up on the observatory roof with six supports instead of three as before, with a view that the current of wind may act freely on it. The fixing of the instrument was done under the direction of the Deputy Surveyor General, Col. Gastrell, and the Secretary to the Meteorological Committee, Mr. Blanford. [vide the Cyclone Report of 1864.] The cause of the destruction of the Anemometer may be attributet to the leaden sheets on the observatory roof having rolled up an blown against the supports of the said instrument. I need hardly stat that at the time of putting these sheets up, every precaution was | taken by the builders, Messrs, Mackintosh, Burn & Co., to preven thei giving way to the force of a storm or gale. | I would venture to suggest, that with a view to guard against 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 71 similar injury being done to the Anemometer in future, it may be placed (after repairs) on the roof of the stair case, which is pucca. ss I have, &e. | GoprEnaTHa Sux, In charge of the Observatory. eae e b Surveyor General’s Office, Calcutta, 3rd December, 1867. No. 46. From Babu Gorrmnatua Sen, i charge of the Observatory. To Col. H. L. Taurirr, Surveyor General of India. Sir,—With reference to your official memo, dated 26th November, 1867, calling upon me to explain certain anomalies, alleged by Mr.. Blanford, the Meteorological Reporter, in his letter to your address, No. 280, dated 25th idem, to have occurred in the Barometric and rainfall records of the observatory of this office of the morning of the 2nd November last, I have the honor to submit the following remarks for your consideration. _ 2. Mr. Blanford states that the ten minute observations after 0h. 20 m. on the 2nd November, ceased at this office, while those of M. Lafont were continued throughout the height of the storm at compara- tively short intervals. The fact is, that. the Barometer in our office ‘is placed in an open shed for the purpose of admitting free action of wind. The observer on duty was exposed to the full brunt of the storm and rain, and it is not to be wondered at, that after a continued struggle till midnight, amid the furious strife of the elements, to do his work, he failed thereafter to take ten minutes’ observations, though he did not omit to note the hourly observation. I suppose M. Lafont Was not exposed to these serious drawbacks in taking his observations. | a 3. With regard to the difference in the readings of the three Barometers, I beg to observe that our Barometer being a standard and consequently more sensitive than ordinary barometers, (as mitted by Mr. Blanford in his report on the cyclone of October 1864) the difference pointed out by him, in his letter under notice, lay well be accounted for, partly by the difference of the instruments Ih advertence to the discrepancy pointed out between my statement 72 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | [Fess of observations and that obtained by Mr. Ormsby, late Meteorological Reporter, from this office, I beg to observe that neither myself nor my assistants are responsible for his returns.. He himself made a copy, and it would appear, took wrongly the three observations givem below. Mr. Ormsby’s statement, Office statement. Inches. Inches. Midnight, 29°052 29°062 3 A.M. 28°600 28 660° 7 A.M, 29:°788 29:778 As regards the statement of rainfall, Mr. Blanford, I respectfully submit, evidently labours under a misconception of facts. It is true that I had told him that the lower rain gauge at our office was not reported on the night of the storm, inasmuch as “one had been blown over and the other had overflowed.” The last statement should be received with some qualifications. I don’t remember whether I used the word “ overflowed,”’ when I spoke to Mr. Blanfordi on the subject, but what I meant to say was this, that one of the gauges had collected in the funnel of the receiver a large quantity of rain, which had overtopped it: the bore of the funnel being closed by : earthy matter, did not allow the water to go in to the receiver, My record of the rainfall had, however, been taken from the indications of the gauge attached to the Anemometer at this office. It had neither been blown down nor had it overflowed. Mr, Blanford lays great stress on the circumstance that in the weekly Register Table furnished by this office to the Meteorological Reporter, the rainfall between 22 hours on the Ist and 4 a. m on the 2né was given at 0.67 inch and that from 4 to 10 a. mM. at 2'74 inches. This apparent confusion is the natural result of the form of the Table prescribed by the Meteorological Reporter and not of an inaccurate observation as imputed. Properly speaking, the fall of 0°67 inch should have been quoted at 23h. of the Ist November; bw as there was no column for 23 h. in the weekly register table, it was necessarily inserted at the next available hour viz. 4 a. M. of the 2nd November, in the said table. There was no mistake in the original record, but the observations taken at 23 h. on the Ist November was entered in the column for 4 a. m. of the 2nd in the — — 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 73 weekly register table, which Mr. Blanford erroneously supposes represented the total rainfall according to the report of this office for - the whole period of the cyclone. Further, the quantity of rain from _ midnight to 4 a. m. of the 2nd November, was 2°74 inches and from 5 to 10 a.m. it was drizzling. This quantity was only inserted in _ the Register table of the office at 10 a.m. of the 2nd November. It would be thus seen that from 5 p. m. of the Ist to 10 a. m. of the 9nd November, the actual rainfall was 3°41 inches. Mr. Blanford states that the rainfall given by M. Lafont for the 24 hours from 7a. m. of the Ist November to 7 a.m. of the 2nd idem was 6°87 ~ inches ; whereas the rain recorded in the observatory for the same BD eriod amounts to 3°86 inches. This disparity between the two statements may, in my humble opinion, be accounted for by the height 5 and local position of the two rain gauges under comparison. I may Lb observe that in a storm, it is by no means improbable that the receiver b of the observatory rain gauge being on the top of a high building, collects less than the actual rainfall, A greater portion of the _ rain being carried off by the force of the hurricane horizontally across - the mouth of the instrument ; whereas arain gauge fixed on the ground - surrounded by buildings is likely to shew a much larger quantity. I have given above a bare statement of facts. My position, I Bumby conceive, does not permit me to comment on the reflections which Mr. Blanford, without due enquiry, has thought fit to make on the observations which I have the honor to take in this office, indirectly hinting, for reasons which I hope I have shewn to your Satisfaction to be wholly groundless, that they are inaccurate and therefore unreliable. I have, &e. (Signed) GoprenaTtHa Sen, In charge of the Observatory. M r. Blanford said that a few remarks from him would be necessary | to a certain portions of the correspondence just read. With ard to the destruction of the anemometer, he could endorse Colonel uillier’ s assurance that every precaution was taken to fix the vane- - rod L firmly ; and so firmly had it been fixed, that some of the stays +| ve ate ined their place, the sheet lead which had covered the roof having i lap ped over the vane, and by sheer force torn the collar of the rod from J 7 i 74 Froceedings of tre Asiatic Society. [Frs. the bolts that fastened it to the stays. The destruction of the instru- ment was due to the mode in which the sheet lead had been fastened. The edges had been turned over the cornice of the roof and nailed underneath, instead of being bolted right through, with iron bars above and below the only fastening calculated to withstand a cyclone. No doubt the builders had not contemplated the occurrence of a cyclone, and the sheeting would have held fast in on ordinary storm; but when the wind had once made its way underneath the edges, nothing could preserve it from being torn away. The notice of the approaching cyclone which is stated to have been furnished to the Meteorological Reporter had never reached him, as he had already explained officially. This was due to his having re- turned from England only two days before, and having assumed charge of his office only on the day before the cyclone, so that the notice referred to had been sent to Mr. Ormsby, who had officiated during his absence, instead of to himself. The non-receipt of this notice, — which he understood to be the report of the barometric reading for 10h. of the 1st, had not however delayed his action. The Saugor Island and Cuttack reports were of more importance in such cases than those of Calcutta, but he had not felt justified in giving a general warning © to the shipping even on the receipt of the Saugor 10 h. report. This had indeed prompted a telegraphic application for a further report, and on the receipt of the reply, the warning was communicated to the Master Attendant, before 8 o’clock of the afternoon of the Ist. The letter addressed to him as Meteorological Reporter had been written in reply to one which he had officially addressed to Colonel Thuillier in the same capacity, and in which he had entered in greater detail on the subject of the discrepant observations. It would hardly be necessary to discuss these details at length before the Society, as the resolution which had originated the correspondence had dealt with the main facts of the case. The receipt of the following communication was announced. From Capt. H. H. G. Austen ; Notes to accompany a Zoological Map of a portion of the Khasi Hills, near Longitude 91° H Mr. Bayley announced that Col. Tennant is coming from England fully equipped with instruments in order to observe the eclipse of the sun which will occur on the 17th August, and will be total at Musulitam, — at which station Col. Tennant proposes to establish his observatory. _ 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 75 Lrprary, The following additions were made to the Library since the last ; meeting in January. *,* The namas of Donors in capitals, Presentations, Selections from the Records of the Government of India, No. 54, Home Department,—Tuz GoverNMENT oF BENGAL. Dattaka S’iromani.—G. M. Tacorz, Esa. An old Zend-Pahlavi Glossary by Dr. M. Haug. ae GOVERNMENT or Ino. An uniform Metrology for India by C. F. Gower, F. S. A., F. G. ~§.—Tue Rev. C. H. Dat. Gcurs d’Hindustani (Urdu et Hindi) A. l’Ecole Impériale et ; Spéciale des Langues Orientales vivantes Discours d’Overture du 2nd _ Décembre, 1867.—Tuz Avruor, An Elementary Grammar of the Coorg Language. Tun GovERN- “MENT or BxEnaat. _ The Indigenous Drugs of India, by Kandyaléla De.-—Tur Avruor. ; _ Chaturdas’apadi Kavitamala, part I. by Ramadasa Sena,—Tue __ An enumeration of the Indian Species of Acanthacee by T. An- derson, M. D., F. L. 8.—Tue Avrnor. | : The Persian Metres by Saifi, and a treatise on Persian Rhyme by Jami. Edited by H. Blochmann, M. A.—Tue Epiror. Uber einige Fische aus dem Fitzroy Flusse bei Rockhampton in Ost-Australien von Dr. F. Steindachner.—Tue Avutuor. - Ichthyologische Mitheilungen ([X.) Uber einige neue Siisswasser- fische yon Angola, von Dr. F'. Steindachner.—Tuxr Avtuor. A few words about two Andamanese lads; by Capt. T. C. Anderson. —Tue Avtuor. Last words of a few celebrities—Capr. T. C. Anpzrson. \4 F = treatise on the Rubai entitled Risalah i Taranah by Agha Ahmad EE Wiillerstori Urbair, Zoologischer Theil. Reptilien.—Tue Auruor, 76 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Fzs. The Textile manufactures and the costumes of the People of India; _ by J. Watson, M. A., M. D., F. R. A. S.—Tae Government or Inpra. Nautical Almanac CDireulat No. IL. on the phase of a total sun eclipse of August 17-18, 1868.—Cox. J. T. Watxer. Storm warnings, their importance and practicability ; by Col. Rrlica! —Tue AvTHoR. Correspondence regarding the Comparative Merits of British and Native Administration in India.—Tur Government or Inpra. The Fishes of Zanzibar.—Tue Government oF Inpia. Report onthe Vegetation of the Andaman Islands.—Dr. T.ANpzRson. Results of a Tour in Dardistan, Vol. 1. Pt. 1. by Dr. Leitner,.— Tue AUTHOR. Report on Civil Dispensaries of the Madras Presidency for 1866 —Tue Government oF Mapras. Report on Public Instruction in the Madras Presidency. —Tuxz Go- — . i : } VERNMENT OF INDIA. if Bulletin de la Société de Geographie, Oct. and Nov. 1867.— — Tue GrograpuicaL Society or Parts. Philosophical Transactions ; Vol. 156, Part I1.— Tux Royan Socrery or Lonpon. The Annals of Indian Administration in the year 1865-66.—Tue GovVERNMENT oF InpIA. | The Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol. 9, Nos. 34, 35, 38, and | 39.—Tue Linnean Soctety or Lonpon. | Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, Vol. 6.—Tax | ZooLogicaL Society oF Lonpon. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, No, 54.— THe GOVERNMENT oF INDIA. Journal Asiatique, No, 35.-Tue Astatic Socrety oF Paris. Purchased. Thesaurus Craniorum. By Dr. J. B. Davis. Hewitson’s Exotic Butterflies, Part 64. The Ruins of Mandoo ; by Capt. C. Harris. Carus and Englemann’s Bibliotheca Zoologica, Vol. II. The Kamil, part IV. by W. Wright. Works of H. H. Wilson: Vol. 8, Vishnu Purané, Vol. 3. — = ae 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. . 77 Rermah, its People and Natural productions, by the Rev. F. Mason. _ The Ferns of British India, parts 16, 17, by Capt. Beddome. ~ Reeve’s Conchologia Iconica, parts 266, 267. Roth and Béhtlingk’s Sanscrit Worterbuch ; Lief, 3-5. Gunther’s Zoological Record, Vol. III. ~The Mammals of India; by Surgeon Major T. ©. Jerdon. Padartha Tattvasdra ; by Pandita Jayanarayana Tarkapanchanana. Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Navara um die Erde, in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wiillerstorf Urbair. Zoologische Theil ; Lepidopteren. | The Indian Medical Gazette, Vol. II, No. 12, 1867. The Quarterly Journal of Science, No. 16, October, 1867. _ Comptes Rendus, Nos. 183—20. Calcutta Review, No. 91. Revue et magasin de Zoologie ; October, 1867. The Annals and Magazine of N atural History, Nov., 1867, Revue des Deux Mondes, for Sept. and Oct. 1867. - Journal des Savants, Nov., 1867. | 2 The Indian Annals of Medical Science, No. 23. “ suce 1% a eae ah G AY, 9 Son cA at out ad = ee ae amv ae ees ae ig ‘wh "eer Est ¢ BAL } Segovia nadsets , 5.2 a. ? > rae 42 . it ret = ‘ph wif a erg peed ley wok és of. eipsat Cas : ‘ (yn Re pe! ‘ ; - j \ i ead hpeih bind at binwh ; jd A, 5 ‘ ie > + oo. i “et : ‘ . ae haa , 5 whore (+e 4 rie el Ps 4 ae eel — 4 ¥ f Ms i= \ at ange 2 “AO Zaye | i mi Bt “aie ! y's . 80 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Marcu, government) of the Nawab Nazir of Murshidabad in the last century, — and even afterwards, under the English rule, it was the custom to hang persons, convicted of murder, at the Sudder or chief station of the district, and after decease, to remove the body in a cage to the native village of the deceased, and there suspend it on a gibbet as a warning to others. Now the cage I have now in my possession and which I willingly offer to the Society, is that in which, according to report of the people of Whau-Wharazpore, Thana Bétka, the corpse of one Goriah Moochee was placed after execution for a murder of which he had been convicted. This was when the station of Furreedpore was first established in 1809, and it would seem to be the only known instance of the kind © in that district. A Mr. J. H. Ravenshaw found the cage at the above mentioned village in 1857, and had it brought to Furreedpore, where I found it. The natives had it in such horror, that they would go a good round to avoid it. One arm, as I have stated, is lost, and this occurred, when, as a joke it was sent by some one to the late Dacca Exhibition and sent back by its Committee with scorn. This is all I _ could gather respecting this wonderful relic. Let me know if it is accepted, and I shall then send it by the next steamer. * ** * * X Yours most heartily, F. F. Mazucwetzrt. 5. From Babu Prananatha Datta, a copy of Sanjikté-Svayambara-_ nataka. * 6. From V. Ball, Esq., a specimen of Crconza alba. The following gentlemen are candidates for ballot at the Apa meeting, as ordinary members. H. 8S. H. Prince Frederic of Schleswig-Holstein; proposed by Major Lees, seconded by Mr. Grote. Cuméra Pramathanatha Raya, Zemindar of Digdpati, proposed b Babu Rajendralala Mitra, seconded by Mr. Grote. ( Babu Bholdnétha Chandra, proposed by Babu Réjendraldla Mitra, seconded by Mr. Grote. i William McLaren Smith, Hsq., Bengal Educational Service, aropolll by Mr, J. M. Scott, seconded by Dr. Colles. : « 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 81 The following gentlemen have intimated their desire to withdraw from the Society. H. T. Trevor, Esq. J. Christian, Esq. The Council reported that they have adopted the following reso- lution of the Finance Committee. . “Resolved that the following members, in arrears with their sub- scriptions, having received notices in accordance with the provisions of Bye Law 11, and not having paid within the time allowed, are to have _ their names struck off the list of members, as provided by the Rule. The Hon. R. S. Ellis, M. C. S., Madras. Maharaja Satis’chandra Raya Bahadur of Krishnagore. W. H. Scott, Esq., Dehra Doon. “ And that they have adopted the following recommendations of the _ Finance Committee. _. “That it be recommended to the Council that the following gentle- man’s name be struck off the member list, he never having paid his _ admission fees, and being thus non-amenable to the privileges of mem- Moonshee Sudderudin, elected November, 1861. “That the collecting sircars’ pay, now Rs. 9 and 10, be altered to Rs. 8 and 9 respectively, and a commission on subscriptions and ? 1 bership, and to the provisions of Bye Law 11. x , small bills (not including Government bills) be allowed as follows ;— _ “Tf collected within the quarter in which the payment is due, I per cent. _ “Tf in the next quarter following, 4 per cent. _ “ Afterwards, + per cent.” _ The Council also reported that they have resolved that scientific ublications be left upon the table for a fortnight after their receipt, but that oriental publications be allowed to circulate at once, with the “restrictions proposed by the Library Committee. The council recommended that the special thanks of the Society be voted to Mademoselle Clarisse Bader for a copy of her work, ‘‘ La Femme dans |’Inde Antique” forwarded by her through M. Garcin de - ‘Tassy, to Messrs. Williams and Norgate, for the Society. 82 ‘Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Marcu, The Secretary read the following letter from Mademoselle Bader, addressed to M. Garcin de Tassy, with the work. “A Monsieur Garcin de Tassy, Membre de l'Institut. “* Monsieur et allustre Maitre. “¢ J’ai eu Vhonneur de vous dire que la lecture du beau discours que vous aviez prononcé, le 2 Décembre dernier, avait éveillé en moi le désir d’envoyer & Calcutta, mon premier essai, déja agréé par Sa Majesté la Reine d’ Angleterre. En considérant sur vos traces, les progrés que fait aux bords du Gange, la régénération morale de mon sexe, je devais naturellement penser & diriger vers cette région, La femme dans I’ Inde antique, ce livre que j’ai écrit pour contribuer, non-seulement & vulgariser en France la littérature Sanscrite, mais encore 4 découvrir dans ]’Inde antique les germes de ~ civilisation que l’Evangile est appelé & féconder dans l’Inde moderne. ~ Avec cette gracieuse bienveillance qui vous caractérise, Monsieur, vous m’avez proposé de faire agréer mon premier travail & la Société — Asiatique de Calcutta. Je ne pourrais mieux offrir cette modeste étude qu’a la savante Compagnie qui a si bien compris que la Chris- tianisme ne remplirait dans |’ Inde sa mission de salut, qu’en s’appro- priant les éléments presque évangéliques que renferment les anciennes” traditions Sanscrites. Deja, en 1864, j’ai pu rendre un hommage public & cette Compagnie, — en lui consacrant, dans Ul’ Annuaire des sociétés savantes, une notice — que m’avait demandée M. le Comte Servins d’Héricourt, Vauteur de vd cette publication, et l’un de nos meilleurs amis, (lre édition, Tome II, — p. 498 & 461). " C’est done avec une vive reconnaissance que je remets entre vos mains le livre qui, muni d’un passeport délivré par le plus savant _ indianiste de mon pays, parviendra 4 sa haute destination. Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l’expression de mes sentiments les plas respectueux. Cuarisse. Baper. Chez son pére, officier principal du service de l’Intendance militaire en retraite, officier de Ordre Impérial de la Légion @’honneur. 62, rue de Babylone, & Paris. The Secretary then read a letter from the Under-Secretary to t 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 83 Government of India, informing the President of the despatch of a copy of “‘ A memorandum descriptive of the various tribes of Mysore’’ by Major Puckle. Also the following extracts from a letter from Mr. W. T. Blanford, on the Zoology &c. of Abyssinia. Mr. W. T. Blanford writes from Zoulla, Annesley Bay, on the 29th January,— | “My last letter to you was written, I think, on the 7th or 8th. The chief ordered me off to Undul or Mayen to look up the water | supply ; so I started on the 10th. I marched by the regular marches ; Koomeylee the first day, 13 miles from this, across the plain, which is sandy, with a peculiar ever-green bush for about 3 or 4 miles, and then stony, over beds of coarse gravel washed from the hills by torrents, till close to Koomeylee. Almost the only tree is a very thorny Acaeza, certainly distinct from the ‘ Babul’_of India, and very flat on the top, almost mushroom shaped. Besides the long white thorns of the dwarf Acacia of India, it has recurved hooks along the . branches. _ “At Koomeylee the hills begin ; all of gneissose and schistose ‘Tocks, with a steady north and south strike, dipping at low angles to - the east. They roll over to the east, and 10 miles up the pass have higher dips ; and thence continue steadily dipping to west or nearly _ so at angles above 60° up to near Senaffe. There is a very large “supply of water at Koomeylee, which, the engineer officer there ‘thinks, is due to a stream running beneath the gravel of the valley fo ming the pass ; but this can scarcely be, for the temperature of the water is over 90°, and a stream could not, at this time of the year especially, be hotter than the annual mean temperature, which can searcely exceed 85° at the outside. _ “The second march is up the valley of the Koomeylee stream to a pper Sooroo. Ten miles from Koomeylee, the valley narrows to a high gorge, with precipitous rocks and running water. This, of 4 course, looks as if water ran beneath the sand under the whole valley ; _ and it probably does so to some extent. The scenery in the Sooroo gorge 2 ‘ig very fine. All the hills are covered with very thin scattered scrub, chiefly Acacia. In the valley are small patches of jungle, increasing. in number above.. 84 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Maron, “From Sooroo, the next march, fourteen miles, is to Mayen, also called Undtl. Here a well has been dug, and there is now a large supply of water. I tested it just before leaving, and it gave 700 gallons per hour. A little above, at a place where three or four streams meet, is a plain about a quarter of a mile broad, covered with jungle, and it is this plain, formed of gravel, which, I think, supplies the — water at Mayen, where rock nearly crosses the valley. All the route from Koomeylee to near Senaffé, is one valley, with a most gradual ascent, and a very good road is now nearly finished throughout, so that carts can go. Unfortunately the first heary rain will cause a flood in the stream, and half the road will vanish. “T stayed at Mayen eight days, running out for two nights to Unddl up aside valley to the west, about ten miles from the main pass, where there was water and a Shoho village. From the plain already mentioned, there are seen, to the westward up the Undil ravine, high mountains capped with white sandstone and having a flat top. They are part of the Tekoonda plateau. Sandstone, resting on ~ Metamorphics, forms the whole plateau from Tekoonda to Senaffe. I climbed up to the sandstone but could not quite reach the top. However I obtained the first land shells I have seen; a Helix, a Vitrina, one large Bulimus, and another, a small pupiform species, — When I came back, I found one of my horses sick with the disease that has killed so many of the horses and mules. I gave him up at — once; however, despite every body’s prediction, he pulled through. I ; then ran up for a day to Senaffé, two marches farther: the first to e Rereguddy, where there is running water; thence to Senaffe. To y Rereguddy the pass is the same as below; a gradual ascent between — almost barren hills; but beyond, the hills are green and covered with — bushes. About five miles from Rereguddy, the road ascends by zigzags to the plateau: this last, the only steep ascent on the road, — not exceeding 800 to 1,000 feet. Senaffé is abont 7,000 feet. On , this ascent a kind of fir is abundant. It is a stunted tree like a | young cedar. “T returned from Senaffé to Mayen the next day, and after waiting” | there a day, returned to Zoulla. Here I found the camp still very 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 85 and is expected to be through to Koomeylee in six weeks. Stores are coming in and are now procurable in considerable quantities. Sheds are rapidly being erected. The bushes around are fast dis- _ appearing for fire-wood. The water is scarcer than before and slightly brackish. Dr. Cook, the Meteorologist has arrived, and I think we may probably go on together. Everything, however, depends on _ transport. “The fauna here is rather poor. The man whom [I left behind to collect, had only eighteen or twenty species of birds when I returned, and almost all of them [had before. The only very common birds are three species of Wagtail, a Motacilla which I cannot distinguish from IW. Dekhinensis (vera), Sykes, and two Budytes, four larks, (1) a 2 true skylark, (2) the little Calendreila brachydactyla so common in open places in India, or a very nearly allied form, (3) a Phyrrhulauda, the male handsomer than the Indian species, with all the lower parts black and (4) a fine desert lark Certhilauda. Two Saaicole abound, and a Drymoica is common in the bushes. Cercomela melanura is _ scarce here, but abounds in the passes. _ The game birds are a guinea fowl (Numidia) with blue wattles and . horny casque,—a fine partridge, with much naked skin of a bright orange and yellow colour on the head and forepart of the neck; one "species of bustard at least; and a sand-grouse closely allied to the “Indian Pterocles fasciatus. It may be Pterocles quadrinctus, Temm. “which Jerdon mentions. There are a few shore waders; a pelican, of which I have not a specimen yet, and some gulls; a white necked crow and a few rapacious birds almost complete the Zoulla avi-fauna. ' “The mammals are two species of Gazella ; one typical, always soli- tary or in pairs, and closely allied to the Indian Chinkaray the other, a much larger animal which goes in large herds, and is about the size ‘of the Indian antelope, but higher on the legs. A wart-hog (Phaco- chetrus) iscommon. ‘The jackal is quite different from that of India: it is a slighter built animal with longer legs and ears. The hair is also peculiar. There is a fox, but I have notseen him, One species of _ Hyrax inhabits the shores of the bay. Another, and much larger 86 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Marcu, “On the hills, the fauna is much larger and more varied. One of the most interesting animals is a peculiar rodent which inhabits the rocks, and which is very probably Blyth’s Pectinator Speker, or possibly a second species of Pectinator. It has a short bushy tail carried like a squirrel’s ; so much so, that I took the first specimen I saw for a squirrel which had lost half his tail. The skin is the most tender of any mammal I ever attempted to preserve. It is very com- — mon in the pass. Then there is a ground squirrel Xerus, a new species I think ; at least it does not correspond exactly with X. rutilans. and Ruppel and Gray, in the list lately published in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, mention no other allied to it. There is a very handsome canine animal, of which I have only seen one imperfect skin, brown with the back grizzled black. There are one or two large antelopes; one of them a‘ Koodoo’ (T'ragelephas or Strepsiceros) different, I believe, from the S. African species. A distinct species of hare from that found here, is also said to occur. ‘The chief changes in ascending occur about 2,000 feet to 3,000 feet. There are not so many gradations in the fauna and flora as in ascend- ing the Himalayas and Nilgiris; at least, I think not. Many birds — and plants of the plains, or rather of the base of the hills, are found ; up to 3,000 and 4,000 feet,” The receipt of the following communication was announced. , Statistical data on the area of Asiatic Russia; by M. M. Vranikof, — translated by R. Mitchell, Esq., F. R. G. S., communicated by © Colonel T. Walker. | The Secretary then read the following papers :— Mr. CARNEGY’S QUERIES REGARDING RACES OF INDIA. 1. In my settlement enquiries I pay a good deal of attention to ascertaining the past history of the different clans and races ; and I now of your enlightened coadjutors, a small matter that has disturbed my — mind not a little. The whole subject may be got into the short and rather uninviting” sentence, ‘ What is Caste?” 1868. ] 7 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 87 You are well aware that this place is the former capital of the long race of Solar Kings which began with Ikshéku, which included in its number, Dasaratha, Raghu, and Ramachandra, and which ended ; with the expulsion of the last of them, Raja Dirigbow, who fled to the south, probably about the time that Raja Nanda or his son Chandra Gupta of the Sudra caste, who lived in the days of Alexander the Great, overwhelmed and suppressed the Rajputs. According to Hindu annalists, the Rajputs were altogether annihi- “ated in the interests of Brahmana, by Parasurama; and, after several generations, they were recreated on Mount Aboo, in view to their fight- ‘ing the battles of Bréhmanas against the Budhists. Be that as it may, there is no doubt that the Rajputs gained head again in these parts -contemporaneously with the Mahommedan conquest, and have since well maintained their influence. _ It is said that, driven from all the great centres of Rajput power and Hindu devotion by the Mahommedan conquerors, the Kshatriyas took refuge in flight ; and betook themselves, amongst other places, to _ Ayodhy4, their old seat of empire, whence the Bhars had driven them, creating colonies wherever they went. (: Now, my own theory is that the Rajputs were neither exterminat- ec nor wholly driven hence; that the more respectable and influential clansmen may have fled before the then dominant Sudra rulers; but that the mass of the Kshatriyas remained and were, in fact, no other than the Bhars; and that the final overthrow of these degraded Bhars, after the fall of Delhi, was neither more nor less than the restoration of Raj- put influence iu these parts, and the social reclamation of the so-called Bhars. : - The weight of opinion seems to be in favour of the argument that | he Bhars were an aboriginal people. Mr. Thomason says that the inhabitants of these parts in Réma’s time are known to us by the name of Raibhars. Sir Henry Elliot pronounces them to be ‘one of the original races of India,’ and he traces affinity between them and | Churus, Bhiyas, Bhutias, and perhaps Bhils and Ahirs. _ Elphinstone hazards the observation that such aboriginal races as | cal army of Rama. Lastly, one of the most intelligent natives of my 88 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Marca acquaintance, a Brahmana, steadily affirms that the Bhars were, in fact, Rajputs. From all this, I think an inference may be fairly drawn that the Bhars are the aborigines of Hastern Oudh ; that they were Rajputs in Réma’s time; that when they lost their king, they became degraded ; but that after the Mahommedan conquest, when the purer Rajputs who had fled to the west and who had, up to that time, maintained their superiority, were again driven eastwards to Oudh, they gradually mixed with the Bhars or degraded Rajputs who never left their homes ; probably intermarried with them by degrees, raised them in the social scale, and finally absorbed them altogether; that, in fact, the suppression of Bhardom was, as I have already said, a social re- formation much more than it was a Military achievement ! “Tt is always thus,” remarks Sir EH. Tennant, in his ‘‘ Ceylon,” ‘the fate of the aborigines (viz. absorption into the dominant race) was that usually consequent on the subjugation of an inferior race by one more highly civilized.” If the Ceylon Budhists, descended from a North West Brahmana, could, in time, absorb the aboriginal worshippers of snakes and de- mons in that island, as they are said to have done, then there is no reason why the Rajputs, returning from the west, may not have, by slow degrees, absorbed the aboriginal Bhars or quasi-Rajputs of Eastern Oudh. Buchanan says that the Bais Rajputs are descended from Chirus, and these, it has already been said, were akin to Bhars. The chief of Singrowlee i in the Mirzapoor district, according to Sir Henry Elliot, is also a Chirus, although he calls himself a Ben- buns. ? . 4 In Tod’s Rajasthan it is admitted that the Rajputs have intermars ried with the degraded but aboriginal tribes and have become a dis= tinct race. In describing themselves, they are said to unite the tribes of their father and mother, and of this I will now quote instances within my own knowledge. ry First. Khunoma Rawat began life, in the Lucknow district, as a village watchman of the degraded Pasi caste. His second son was named Bakhta, who hada son, Visvarama, whose son was the once no= * 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Nociety. 89 torious Ganga Buksh. This Ganga Buksh, in the words of Sleeman, “ became enlisted into the tribe of Rajputs, and his sister was married “to the Powar (Rajput) Raja of Etonda. Raja Yodha Sing, is her “son. Sahuj Ram of Pokhura, pergunnah Hydergurh, of the Ameth- na tribe of Rajputs, married a daughter of Gunga Buksh.”’ The transformation, in this instance, from a low caste village watch- man, to a high caste Rajput noble, occupied no more than four gene- rations |! Second. The Raotars of this district are avowedly Rajputs sprung from a Bréhmana father and Ahir mother (and I have said that Sir H. Elliot thought Ahirs akin to Bhars.) The daughters of these -Raotars marry into the best Rajput families in the land. _ Lhd. One of the original Pulwar (Rajput) colonizers of this and the Azimgurh district, besides having a wife of his own class from whom the talookdars of Birhur are descended, took also an _Ahirin. a Bharin, and a Daivi (demon) to wife, and the progeny of these women are now Rajputs. The talookdars of Tigra and Morerah of this district are of the number of their descendants. Further de- tails of this family will be found in the Surhurpur Report, but I “may mention that the Raj Kumar Thakurs, who consider themselves to be Chowhans of Mynpoorie, the cream of Rajputs, and a most exclusive clan, do not scruple to marry their daughters to the des- _cendants of the low caste Daive ! These latter transformations, however, took more generations to bring about, than did the first given above. These are notable instances of the descendants of people of low taste being raised in the social scale, and I therefore do not see why it _ may not fairly be assumed, that most of our Rajputs of these days have “resulted from the general amalgamation of the Bhar and Kshatriya races, if, indeed, they were not originally one and the same. _ There is one more point I would mention. Raja Bucktawur Sing told Sleeman that the having to take low caste wives was one of the punishments inflicted on Rajputs for killing their daughters. In connexion with this subject, I would state that a wholesale system Was brought to light in this district only last year, while I was in charge,of Braéhmanas and Kshatriyas of apparent respectability traffick- | ing in low caste girls just as they do in bullocks, procuring them as 90 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Marcu, best they could and selling them under false pretences, knowing them to be of low caste, to other Bréhmanas and Kshatryas who were often relatives of their own, in view to marriage. The offspring of these mar- rlages would of course pass as pure; and yet it was popularly known that the parentage of the thus-obtained mothers was enveloped in obscurity if not something worse. We have then, on the one hand, the ancient chiefs of the land marrying into families of known impurity of origin, and we have, on the other hand, the clansmen buying their wives, of whose origin they know absolutely nothing ; and the more I think over these things, the more does the question with which I began this letter press itself on my astonished vision, viz. ‘‘ What is Caste?” j Any light that can be thrown upon the above interesting subject by yourself, or any other enlightened member of the Society, will be thankfully received by t P. Carneay. ’ The Secretary also read the following from Lieut. Satz. + Near Bér sip or Khabdr village on the road from Laiping to Assaloo, north Cachar, about six miles from Saiping, in a rice field, there . are found a considerable number of hollow, irregularly shaped spheres formed of grey sandstone. These spheresare more finished in the upper than in the lower hemispheres and are roughly hollowed out ; ; the aperture being always uppermost and varying with the size of the vessel. The vessels themselves vary from 5 to 2 feet in horizontal diameter, (the shape being that of a flattened sphere) and are extremely massive _ the sandstone, out of which they are hewn, is covered with a number of small holes or depressions as if the vessels had been exposed to the attacks of some rock-boring insect. : The natives of Bérsip village say that large numbers of these vessels’ are scattered over the hills between N. lat. 25° 15’—25° 80’ and: | E. long. 92° 40’—92° 50’ and, according to their story, they were i made by a rajah named Sazar who lived in some very remote gay and that he made them “‘ nam ki waste.” They are said to exist in great quantities in a hill-termed Golsazar_ 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 91 about 10 miles N. N. E. of Saiping and that their being so present has given the name to the hill. | The only conclusion that I would offer as to their orgin and use is, that they were made by some former race of hill-men, to store grain in, and that the lower unfinished half was set in the ground, but the makers must have been of a totally different race from the present inhabitants. Mr. Blanford said, that so far as an opinion could be found from the description and accompanying sketches, it seemed probable that the spheres in question were concretions, and therefore of natural origin. Concretions consisting of a hard shell containing loose sand were not uncommon in sands and friable sandstones; and sometimes gave | occasion for much wild speculation. Their mode of formation was not perhaps well understood, nor was that of many other equally strange concretionary forms, but they were all the result of crystalline action, _ portions of the soft matrix being cemented together by some infiltrated mineral; in most cases either limonite, calcite or silica. Hollow concretions of the kind noticed had been described by Sir Samuel Baker in his recent work ‘ The Abyssinian tributaries of the Nile’ as very abundant in the Nubian Desert; and were spoken of with the utmost confidence as volcanic bombs, with which, it was abundantly clear from his description, they had no relation whatever. _ ON THE DETERMINATION OF THE LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF Port Buarr; extractrep From Lievurenant-Coxonen J. T. WALKER’sS REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE GREAT TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY oF INDIA In 1865-1866. _ In the year 1861, the Superintendent of Port Blair, the well-known » convict settlement on one of the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, reported to the Government of India that the position of the Great Coco Island, which lies immediately to the north of the An- damans, was so inaccurately laid down on the Admiralty Charts, that the safety of ships sailing between Calcutta and Singapore was endan- gered thereby ; shortly afterwards, a communication was received from the Bombay Government representing that the longitude of Port 92 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | Marcu, Blair itself, and consequently of the general group of the Andaman Islands, was equally doubtful. It was therefore necessary to take steps to rectify the existing Charts, either by determining astronomically the absolute longitude of a station in each of the groups of Islands which lie between Cape Negrais, the southernmost point of the Burmese Provinces, and Acheen Head the northernmost point of the Island of Sumatra ; or by the method of determining the latitudes and azimuths of ~ mutually visible points on the groups of Islands and thence computing their differences in longitude. As the Islands trend in a nearly meri- dional direction from Burmah to Sumatra, the second method might if feasible be adopted, with the advantage of giving very much more accurate results than observations for determining absolute longitudes. Some of the groups of Islands are not ordinarily visible from each other; but, from a consideration of their distances and their heights above the sea, Iam of opinion that luminous signals erected on lofty scaffoldings would be mutually visible at night; and if so their azimuths could be accurately measured, as the Pole Star never reaches a high altitude in these latitudes. It would also be an easy matter to execute at the same time an accurate triangulation, to fix the posi- tions of certain of the surrounding Islands, some of which are known to rise to heights exceeding 1,000 feet above the sea level ; thus an accurate basis might have been prepared for the topography of the Islands. In consequence, however, of the want of adequate means to enable the Surveyors to pass from one Island to the other whenever con- venient, it was necessary to abandon the method of combining Astro- nomical with Trigonometrical observations, and to restrict the oper- ations to the determination of absolute latitudes and longitudes by Astronomical observations. At first it was intended that one or more points should be fixed in each of the several groups of Islands, but an — intimation was subsequently received from the Secretary of State for India, that a complete Maritime Survey of the Islands would be made © under instructions from the Admiralty, and that a battery of 15 chronometers would be employed for the determination of the differ- ential longitudes. Consequently the operations were limited to fixing the position of Port Blair as a point of origin for the Maritime Survey. we? 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 93 For the longitudes it was decided to adopt the methods of Moon Culminations and Lunar Zenith distances, employing, for all the ob- servations, one of the large Astronomical Circles which were brought out to India by Colonel Everest, and are described in his account of the Indian Arc; their vertical circles have a diameter of 8 feet, and the telescopes a focal length of 4i feet and a magnifying power of about 80. A temporary observatory with rotating dome was con- structed at Calcutta and sent to Port Blair. Mr. Nicolson, an As- sistant to the Surveyor General, was deputed to take the observations, and as from his previous training in the Trigonometrical Survey he was well qualified to observe Transits and Zenith distances, and as the latter observations can be multiplied to any desirable extent, whereas but few occultations and culminations can be observed during a short time, he was directed to base his operations on funar Zenith distances. He was furnished with an astronomical clock, a mean time chronometer, a collimater, a barometer, and thermometers. His residence at Port Blair was protracted over a far longer period than had been anticipated ; it was hoped that he would have been able to complete his observations before the commencement of the rainy season of 1862, but what with delays in getting a vessel to transport him and his instruments to Port Blair, delays in the voyage, and dif- ficulties in getting workmen to set up the observatory, his preparations were only completed just before the monsoon set in, and for several mouths the weather prevented any continuous observations. Thus the work has been spread over a long time; but the results should be improved thereby, as the tabular errors of the moon’s place are more likely to vary and tend to cancel each other in a long than in a short @ period. After the greater portion of the observations had been completed, an accident happened to the astronomical clock which rendered it useless for a time; the chronometer was therefore employed for the remaining observations. Time was determined each night by the me- Tidional transits of at least four Nautical Almanac Stars, half of which were observed with the illuminated pivot of the transit axis point- ing to the east, and the remainder with it pointing to the west. The lunar zenith distances were, as a rule, taken in pairs, with the illumina- ted pivot to the left for one observation, and to the right for the 94 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Marcu, other, in order to eliminate instrumental errors. The moon’s transits in altitude were taken over 5 horizontal wires, and corrections for inequal- ity of motion were applied whenever necessary. Hach observation was reduced independently after the application of the instrumental corrections, but as it appears from the results that the instrumental errors have not been determined with exactitude, the few single observ- ations which were taken have been rejected, and only the pairs retained. The number of pairs is 101; the probable error of a single pair, when the astronomical clock was used, is +3°04 sec; with the chronometer it is 3°31, showing that the results were very slightly impaired by the loss of the services of the clock. The moon was observed both when north and when south of the prime vertical, and almost as many times when east-of the meridian, as when west. The zenith distances range from 23° to. 643°; the moon’s distance from the prime vertical never ex- ceeded 174°, and was usually much less ; the azimuths ranged from 67° to 425°. For the culminations it is only necessary to remark that 29 were observed, that the tabular elements were taken from the section ‘* Moon Culminating Stars” of the Nautical Almanac, that the illuminat- ed pivot of the instrument if pointing towards the east one evening, was usually pointed to the west on the next evening, and that the transit axis was reversed on its pillars six times during the course of the observations. The probable errors of the zenith distances have been computed from the differences between the mean of each pair of observations and the general mean of the group to which the pair appertains, Those of the culminations have been computed from the differences between the single observations, and the genaral mean of all. Being calculated on the assumption that the tabular places in the Nautical — Almanac are free from error, they are of course smaller than they — would be if the probable errors of the tables were taken into con- sideration. But they sufficiently serve the purpose for which they are required, namely, to combine the separate groups of results with ~ weights inversely proportional to their squares. The results of the individual Observations are given below and the final results are as follows :— : , 1868-] Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. 95 53 ee ‘O-@ Ot r n a = | a om ag ae Saea| 8 5. 5 A [Baas Bo. Group S38 29 °° ag 3 4 OE 3 = ae 22 5) 5 me wed TO op 5 po “Et Se @.4 4°5 3 Ae, a ouee ce pa | sa [ee*8| & : hm Ss s Ss Moon Culminations, .. wien} 12e 610 5064] - 679 | + 1:26 | unar Zenith Distances to times _ by Astronomical Clock, .. | 67 6 10 50°53 3°04 0:37 Lunar Zenith Distances to times _ by Chronometer, .. oo | 34 6 10 51°88 3°31 0:57 b, : | Final Longitude Intime, 6h 10m 5092s +0308 East of Greenwich, In Arc, 92° 42° 4378 4b 4’M5 It will be seen that the probable error by a single culmination is “more than double that by apair of zenith distances, acurious circumstance ‘which could scarcely have been anticipated, and which shows that in “tropical latitudes a few nights of observstions of lunar zenith distances vil give as satisfactory a result as observations of culminations extend- ing over several months, for not more than 8 culminations can usually “be observed in a month, and several of these may be lost if the weather ‘is cloudy and unfavorable. _ The latitude was deduced from observations of 17 stars situated to the north of the zenith and 20 stars to the south, the means of the two groups differing by only 0’.08. ‘The final result is— ae lat. 11° 41’ 12’, 85° 0”: Ae the stars’ places were taken. £ ‘The Observatory was situated on the highest point of Chatham Taian at an altitude of 73 feet above the sea and about 30 feet to the | South of the upper road from the Sepoy Barracks on the west of the Island to the officers’ quarters on the east. It is 150 feet | NE. of the east wall of the Sepoy Barracks, 130 feet NW. of the | Nearest corner of the house built for the Overseer of the Department 96 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Mancu, of Public Works, and 200 feet to the south of a salient point on the Coast. These measurements are taken from a block survey of Cha- tham Island, dated 20th May, 1865, which has been furnished by Lieutenant Cumming, R.E; the Executive Engineer at Port Blair. The station is marked by a circular pillar of masonry rising a few inches above the ground level, on the surface of which there is a stone with a mark showing the exact point over which the Astronomical Circle was centered. The pillar has been covered with a cairn of stones, into which amarble slab has been built, containing the fol- lowing inscription :— THIS STONE MARKS THE SITE OF THE OBSERVATORY ERECTED IN 1861, on CratHam IsLAND, FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF Port Bratr. THE OBSERVATIONS WERE TAKEN BY Mr. Niconson, or THE Survey Dr- PARTMENT, WITH AN ALT-AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT, HAVING A VERTICAL CIRCLE — oF 8 FEET IN DIAMETER. THEY WERE REDUCED IN THE OFFICE OF THE GREAT TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY oF Inp1. RESULTS, LATITUDE, ae are she aa ae woh, ee ee ee LoNGITUDE EAST OF GREENWICH, 92 42 44 THE LONGITUDE WAS DETERMINED BY 202 OBSERVATIONS OF LUNAR ZENITH ; DISTANCES, AND 29 CULMINATIONS. A I may here observe that in the Admiralty Chart which was com- ; piled from the Surveys of Lieutenant Blair and Captain Moorsom in i 1789-90, and was revised by Lieutenant Heathcote in 1853, the longi- Seconds of Results by Moon Culminations. DaTE. RESULT. Date. RESULT $s s Bih June, 1862, ss 46-51 | 4th February, 4. ve 44°85 6th ” 9 eo ees 29°03 5th 39 99 oe oe 54°03 4 Sth rT) 99 ec eoe 50:00 6th ” 53 ee ee 50.00 9th 99 99 toe ». 64°08 7th 33 908 e- 65°69 : 23th ,, i wae vw» 43°74 | Oth 44 3 we so 71 14th 99 bes 37°23 10th 9 99 8 e es 63°89 5th New ember, 1862, es 50°14 27th 33 390~« es 43°09 : 5th January, 1863, .. oe E70 1 -2BbW Late we - 61-i 10th. «yy alice ee 5941 | 2nd March, 1863, as .. 52 im ain fees .. 61:42’ | ‘2nd April,’ ',, © ee oe 6227 | ea0th 99 99 ee eo 43°51 ord. ” 9 ee ee 52°8 Fj olst 39 99 ee ee 47°12 Ath 9 99 ee se 50.13 | Ist February, ,, e« ols A204" Gi >" “2 Ke eo. 56°7am 2nd 29 9 eo ec 34°83 Vth 2” ” ee os 67: 25 ord 9 99 ee ee 43°32 Mean == 6h 10m 5064s, i | i at oe i 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. 97 tude of Chatham Island is given as 92°56’. The whole group of islands is therefore about 13 geographical miles to the west of the position _ which has hitherto been accepted. The officers of the surveying brig Clyde determined the longitude to be 92° 47’ 30” approximately, -and it appears to have been in consequence of their representations, Seconds of Results by Lunar Zenith Distance, when the Astronomical * : Clock was used. » | Moon’s Aspect. Results. Date. = 2 Ee ; S62 | 888 |LP.L./1.P.R.| Mean, woe | as s§ Ss Ss 6th February, 1863, et s. E. 46:22-| 53°44 | 49-83 iio. Re bat Hes 46:99 | 5401 | 50:50 q ditto a bad Mes 55°96 | 55°75 | 55°86 Tth = ditto oa tke mH 46°32 | 41:31 | 43-82 ditto a: che “s 5447 | 5417 | 54-32 ditto . Gal ; 5566 | 55°08 | 55-37 ditto : y : 52°93 | 5657 | 54-75 : = ditto : a x 55°83 | 60:01 | 57-92 9th ditto * z. , 54°17 | 5658 | 55:38 i) ditto oh iv ; 49°04 | 6621 | 57-63 ditto : ve “ 55°55 | 53°98 | 54-74 ditto . a ; 52°40 | 57:14 1 54:77 ditto “a : 54:46 | 65:00 | 59°73 ditto oe * : 5664 | 65°51 | 61-08 ditto P 56°94 | 57:69 | 57-32 ditto = N. ER. 52°25 | 52-01 | 52:13 ditto ‘ i is 46°91 | 43°30 | 45:11 ditto : e ts 45°22 | 47-80 | 46-51 ditto Bs 41:83 | 53:43 | 47-63 ditto i earey 47-00 | 5261 | 49-81 ditto A : sds 44:59 | 49°37 | 46-98 ditto i ma bs 47°84 | 46-11 | 46:98 ditto z a 39°65 | 50°73 | 45-19 ditto ari... 45°80 | 49°85 | 47°83 ditto b MS a 35°87 | 55°88 | 45-88 ditto orn, Ww. 53°56 | 53°50 | 53-53 ditto ie oe ah 55:24 | 50°40 | 52-82 ditto 2m ot * 57°62 | 50:40 | 54-01 ditto S: oe Pee 53-26 | 47°02 | 5014 ditto ae oa we 55°80 | 5434 | 55-07 ditto ts N. E. 4719 {| 50:90 | 49-05 ditto ay ne he 4152 | 45°61 | 43°57 ditto - ay. a 41:53 | 56:29 | 48°91 ditto ‘ 36°88 | 55°60 | 46°24 Mean = 6 2. 10 m 50°53 s 98 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Marcu, Seconds of Results by Lunar Zenith Distances, when the Astronomical clock was used. Moon’s Aspect. Date. oO a “3 = ee oe CBE | 68.8 [LPL Sb | ets $ 27th February, 1863, ... iN. EK. A'7°04 ditto Aw as ee 45°89 ditto ee ee hs 42°4:7 ditto te ‘ia’ “ae 45°39 ditto eee tee oee 46°24: ditto ia ou a 45°84 ditto ok a an 44°78 ditto she N. W. 46°32, ditto A $2 ed 45°75 ditto aa =e % 46°51 ditto Se5 ae RiGee 48°49 ditto 3 mee wat 51:44 ditto ae A as 50°13 ditto es — a 42,34 28th ditto = js E. A543 ditto : ee eae 40°30 ditto ; out ea 40°89 ditto ai, 38h res 45°91 ditto as a oe 50°14 ditto o. af be 49°51 ditto ee N. W. 54°53 ditto as oo dys 60°99 ditto oh ee eae 49°84 ditto oi Nee NA 50°26 ditto he es vee 45°98 ditto die bs ae 46°16 ditto vm om cae 44°94, ditto a wh on 59°42 ditto ES eae ae 51°02 ditto ce ee Soe 50°92 ditto cn e aie 51°72 ditto NS ae set 55:07 ditto Se oth waa 58°11 Mean = 6 h 10 m 20.53 s 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. - i 9G Seconds of Results by Lunar Zenith Distances, when the Chronometer was used, | Moon’s Aspect. Results. DatTE. x <= |LP.L.|1.P.R.| Mean. hs (oe) N. or S of prime verticle. s s s 66°39 39°17 52°78 25th March, 1863, oe N. E ditto ‘We is 62:22 | 42°78 | 52:50 ditto al i its 56°70 | 46°67 | 51°69 ditto be. i) 3 61:37 | 40°46 | 50-92 ditto a me ee 64°68 | 40°55 | 52°62 26th ditto wt a Ale 66:17 | 57:20 | 61°69 | ditto Be a Y "9°51 | 5452 | 63°52 ditto a ae is 63°08°+ 54:24 | 58°66 auto - jee aha fit 67°61 49:07 58°34 ditto "eo aes 4 58°87 BY aks 58°31 ditto hs N. W. 5442 | 55:23 | 54:83 ditto Seb 455 “3 49°12 | 54°39 | 51°76 ditto re oO ve: 49-74 | 45°74 | 47°74 _ ditto ay ry ie 53°36 | 49713 | 51:25 - ditto yen a ie 52:24 | 46:31 | 49-28 27th ditto a ae ee 45°35 | 59°43 | 52°39 & ditto si ts ‘hs 52:04 | 49:19 | 50°62 ditto al By ye 93:57 | 65:71 | 52-14 ditto aa ae a 38:18 | 4400 | 41:09 ditto a oe We 49°33 | 60:00 | 54°67 ditto i i ty 46°15 | 66°63 | 56°39 & ditto ie ie 5a 50°60 | 62:47 | 56:54 8rd April, 1863, . S. W. 48:95 | 46:15 | 47°55 § ditto Ma ee Bh 48:20 | 48:30 | 48:25 a ditto te - ee 52-48 | 45:40 | 48°94 ae ditto x, se 9 5181 | 42:18 | 47-00 3 ditto re ti yes 50-95 | 51°50 | -51:23 4 ditto wh ns ae 59-76 | 46-41 | 53:09 a ditto ES ae ee. ne 59:07 | 50°57 | 54:82 ditto pe ie nde 50°67 | 48:58 | 49°63 ditto vm vs ny 48-43 | 39:13 | 43-78 ditto om ee sae 51:83 | 41:18 | 46°51 ditto obs a 44°77 | 46°97 | 45:87 ditto Pr “a me 48:97 | 46:26 | 47-62 Mean —=6h 10m 51°85 100 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Marcu, that the Survey Department was called on by the Government of India to determine the true position. Seconds of Diurnal Results by Zenith Distances. Number of Darter. pairs of Result. obsesvatiens. s 6th February, 1863, ae ats ae 3 52°06 7th ditto, oan a + se 5 53°24 9th GiGtO,, sec at ae a 7 57°24 26th.” ditto, oo oe saci aeeee 15 49°31 OTT) dae, es ae ney ey 18 47°09 3 28th —~ iditbko, +a oe 5 on ae 19 5 bats | x 25th March. 1863,, °. “th ms 6 5210 36th disto, ao ey Hie sl 10 55°54 y OF LD". pOgEOs a. ar Dis At “f 51°98 Z 8rd April, 1863, me soe ae 7 50°13 ; 4th ditto, >... mae a =, 5 46°68 . s When the Moon was north of the prime vertical, 74 pairs of observations were taken, result........c.cececccecsscsececcosesenees = 52°57 © When the Moon was south of the prime vertical, 27 pairs of observations were taken, result ..:.,,...cecsssenncsecccssteawne . = O2 129 When the Moon was east of the meridian, 52 pairs of obser- vations: were takem, restlt <1)... 0s.0adercsercavedssesasn scot = 61°50 When the Moon was west of the meridian, 49 pairs of obser- vations were taken, restlt i)! .0..dccccsscesdsegemtucens cae eeeeenene = 50°44 LIBRARY. The following additions were made to the Library since the meeting held in February last. *,* The names of Donors in capitals. Presentations. Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften Philos-Historische classe; Band LV. Hefte IL—III. Math-Naturwis- senschaftliche classe ; Band LY. Hefte J.—II. :--K. K. AKapEmin DER WISSENSCHAFTEN, WIEN. 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 101 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for 1866-67.— Tue Royat Society or Epinsurau. Actes de la Société D’Ethnographie 12° Liv.—Tue Eranograrut- AL Society oF Parts. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Vol. XXIV. part I1J.—Tuxz Epinsureu Roya Socrery. Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Vol. IV. Parts V. and VI.—Tue Rovat Institution. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlindischen Geselschaft, Bande XIX. XX. and XXI.—Tue Enrror. Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Dublin Vol. IV. parts IT. and I11.—Tue Naturat History Society or Dustin. _ Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia for 1865 and 1866.—Tue Puiwapretpuia AcapEmy or Naturan Scrences. . Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department Nos. LXI. and LXII.—Tue Government or Inp1a. Purchased. The Quarterly Journal of Science No. XVII. Abhandlungen fiir die Kunde des Morgenlandes, herausgegeben von der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesselschaft, Band IV. 1—5. Indische Studien X. 1, 2, 3. _ Hewitson’s Exotic Butterflies, part 65. _ Reise der Osterreischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den “Jahren, 1857-59, Zoologischer Theil, Mollusken. i The Edinburgh Review, January, 1868. 4 The Westminster Review, January, 1868. _ Revue des Deux Mondes, Ist January, 1868. Journal of the Statistical Society of London, Vol. XXX. part IV. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, No. 68. Comptes Rendus Nos. 25, and 26, 1867. Calcutta Review, February, 1868. " xz € Bit 4 ie 489 Hip ti ee on apchioctnigh: a sti cue scares ya pos ib) Mad} ; y siti tr si if ave oo es = _— nae - 2S ci a ia i ew dain: er ar inne ae 7 | vr? °° , . va . +s te Ts 5 § y i 4 , ¥ - . _ \ ‘ £ “4 Lngt ' q 74 +r v f %, i ty Peiue ical tential, "3 ra “he . 4) vt] 20 TT 2 y= T¥ “on Lia LT 9° Peat As =I Zap r re nelly indent to & oe ae Pere ~ A ' fi 4$} + 4 i] _ \ ~ i ve \ re . w.. £7 c > ; J t f ) 5 ‘ a " 5 wo 7 ~ ? i an b} wow» #! as ADS GU o. Ga q 7 - ( . i " . eg l - eo \ D4 ha: 'é ai a “ wh YX, . Wer " rd i aint a: & Stn 7 ie * ‘a oe te) ts bo FT 2/64 eats S| ‘/ * i aay 7 m | ‘ ® w * ? oe : , “ary. 4a Hz ot Ali. te { ? + ’ = RIG } = ‘ ~™ = ; : > Bh By tata “ 7 “if 3 a ree ear 3 ae Pah aes BS EA {OLAS ri = ‘ ’ 7 _ ; Me : es ne ’ “0 a - —= ow a - hice : 7 ame ‘ f b eA " The ts ; } ; } F { ; t J ‘ eee eer, «te : yee is i es ’ i re Be Le i An ed or ‘ ~~ _ { ‘ m ors 7 Neh. yee j he _ bins 2 mA ‘ r ‘ A Oe Sita dae By i i Pet) é . “ - s f 4 ‘ ‘ wha ry PES § » 7 b v \ > ae : sn aaa : , PT ' “i gat 1 wnt, he Ps ri re’ a oe ay eo “oe . bar us By ’ i eg a . - ‘ Va ee i * ahs ca: oe | | ¢ F G y i ; y lel ~ al rd y 7 te al hh, PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY. OF BENGAL, , For Aprit, 1868. = f— _ A monthly general meeting of the Asiatic Society of Bengal was held on Wednesday, the Ist instant at 9 p. m. Dr. Oldham having declined to take the chair as President, it was “unanimously resolved, on the proposition of Mr. Blanford, that the Honorable J. B. Phear, Vice-President, do take the-chair. Mr. Phear took the chair accordingly. _ The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following presentations were announced :— - 1. From Babu Kedéranatha Banerji. A copy of Venisamhara Nataka of Bhattandrayana. 2. From Captain T. C. Anderson. A copy of Proverbial Philo- sophy of Cats, by the donor. A Copy of some Spanish Proverbs, collated by the donor. A copy of Last Words of a few Celebrities (concluded) by the same. A copy of ‘ Ubique,’ being war services “of all the officers of H. M.’s Bengal Army, by the same. A copy of the Order of the Victoria Cross, by the same. _ 3. From the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paris. A copy of ‘Le Livre des Rois, par Abou’l Kasim Ferdousi, publié, traduit et commenté par M. Jules Mohl; Cinquiéme Tome.’ | The following gentlemen, duly proposed and seconded at the last l weeting, were balloted for and elected as ordinary members. -H.S. H. Prince Frederic of Schleswig-Holstein. | Cuméra Pramathandtha Raya of Digapati. W. M. Smith, Esquire. | Babu Bholanatha Chandra. | Colonel H. Hyde, announced by a mistake of his agent as withdrawn, Was reinstated at his request, in the member list. 106 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Apri The following gentlemen were announced as candidates for ballot at the May meeting, as ordinary members. J. Baynes, Esq., Calcutta, proposed by Mr. Scott, seconded by Dr. Colles. T. E. Coxhead, Esq., C. S., Meherpur, Nuddea, proposed by Mr. Giles, seconded by Mr. H. F. Blanford. A. Pirie, Hsq.,-Professor, Doveton College, proposed by Mr. Bloch- mann, seconded by Mr. G. Robb. C. D. Field, Esq., proposed by the Hon. I. P. Norman, seconded by the Hon. J. B. Phear, F. W. Peterson, Esq., Bullion Department, Mint, proposed by Mr. Blochmann, seconded by Mr. G. Robb. ' The following gentlemen have intimated their desire to withdraw from the Society. | The Hon. L. 8. Jackson; J. Harris, Esq., Calcutta ; C. U. Aitchison, Ksq., C.S., Lahore. The following resolution of the Council was read. * Resolved unanimously. “That the following letters from Dr. Oldham be read at the next general meeting of the Society.” “ To the Members of Council of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. “ Calcutta, March 18th, 1868. ‘¢ GunTLEMEN,—lL have to thank several of you for meeting me yester-_ day to consider the circumstances attendant on the election of myself as _ President and of other Officers on the 15th January last. You are Bye-laws had not been complied with on that occasion; no excuse or cause for the omission given; no assertion of ignorance of what that that several other Rules had been systematically neglected!! The fact, that the Meeting had not been summoned, and consequently nob held, as required by the laws of the Society, and that this was allowed to occur with the knowledge of what those Rules required, was placed beyond a doubt. “ A resolution was passed, which, with all respect I am obliged to'say, simply begged the question. No one ever had doubted, no one coul 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. 107. doubt, the legality of the Meeting, or of its decisions, if it were ‘ held in. accordance with the Bye-laws of the Society.’ But this is precisely what it confessedly was not. The opinion, therefore, given by the Council, based, as it avowedly was, on this totally unsound premises, _ is valueless. The process of reasoning by which the individual state- ments of every Member present, that. Rule 47 had not been complied with, were converted into a collective assumption that the Meeting was ‘in accordance with the laws of the Society,’ is to me unintelli- gible. Nor can I admit the force of the argument, though I can understand it, which preferred the ignoring of those laws to openly eonfessing that a ‘ trivial informality’ had occurred. “On matters of opinion, [am very willing to be guided by the better __ judgment of others ; on matters of fact, Iam compelled to form and act on my own. Indeed the facts. are undisputed, and no interpreta- tion of them is needed. “The principle sought to be established, that where an error has occurred, (for which the remedy is extremely simple) it is better to gloss it over, and say nothing about.it, than at once to declare the _ heglect and rectify it, is one which may possibly be successfully acted - on by your Council, but which the experience of every other Society : in the world, I believe, has shown to be inevitably productive of failure. t “The duties of the President are defined by the Rules under which he is appointed, and under which alone he can hold office, to be /(Rule 87) * * * ‘to execute or see to the execution of the Rules and Orders of the Society.’ Yet the very first act requested ‘of me by the Council, is to see that one of those Rules affecting the eonstitution of the Society be deliberately and knowingly violated!’ Gentlemen, I very respectfully, but very decidedly, decline to do so. “No amount of opinions or glossing can alter this simple fact. I annot therefore adopt the views of the Meeting of yesterday in this - way. But in another way I am glad to be able to meet the wishes of some of the Members. However intended, the resolution passed _ yesterday was, under the circumstances, tantamount to the expression _ of a desire that I should not be President. Iam rejoiced to be able to ‘assure the Meeting and the Council generally that believing [ was not duly elected, I shall certainly not act as President ; unless the elective 108 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ APRIL? body (the Society, not the Council) see fit to call upon me, constitu- tionally, to do so, when I shall be happy to devote my best efforts to their service. . “The requisition sent to me personally as President, calling for a Special General Meeting in accordance with Rule 63 to ‘alter, an- , nul, or confirm, as to said Special Meeting may seem fit, the pro- ceedings of the Meeting of January 15th, 1868, such Meeting not having been held in accordance with the Rules of the Society’—has been returned to the requisitionists with a statement that as I am not President I have no power in the matter.” *‘ I have the honor to be, ‘¢ GENTLEMEN, *‘ Your very obedient Servant, Tuomas OLDHAM. “ To the Secretary Asiatic Society of Bengal. : “ Calcutta, March 27th, 1868. | “ Dear Srr,—As it will be necessary to give to the members of the — Asiatic Society, a reason why I have not assumed the office to which they supposed they had elected me, I beg to send you a copy of letter _ to them giving my reasons, which, if thought desirable, can be read to the meeting of the Society. “Yours truly, “ THomas OLDHAM.” “ To the Members of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. “ Calcutta, Tth March, 1868. “ GENTLEMEN,—On my return to Calcutta yesterday evening, I found that, during my absence, at a meeting purporting to be the Annual General Meeting for the election of Officers, &c., held on the 15th of January 1868, I had been almost unanimously selected as President of your Society for the coming year. I have on more than one occasion previously declined to allow myself to be considered a candi- date for the Chair of the Society, believing the fact of my not being a permanent resident of Calcutta in itself a sufficient disqualification. And still holding this view, I had recently stated to several my great unwillingness to accept the office. But I should be indeed unmindful of the kindness of those who, with the full knowledge of this, still 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 109 elected me, did I not under the circumstances sink my own opinion on this point, and endeavour to justify the confidence placed in me, by “devoting my best efforts for the benefit of the Society. “TJ should therefore, have accepted the office of President with just pride ; but that, as I believe, the meeting of the 15th January 1868, was held in direct contravention of the Bye-laws of the Society (Bye-law No. 47*), that its proceedings are at any moment open to question, and that I have, therefore, as in consequence of that supposed election, no ‘right whatever to assume the office. “ No one can be more fully alive than I am to the likelihood, I might ‘say, to the certainty, of oversights occurring in conducting the business of such a Society ; and of occasional apparent disregard of the laws ‘resulting from such oversights. And from the conviction that it ‘might have been an oversight, I took no objection on a former “occasion when a similar case occurred. But in the present Instance “with them was therefore knowingly committed. The wishes of those who selected me have been thus frustrated, and I am compelled to decline accepting the honor intended to be conferred on me. ~ “Tt may be an inconvenient opinion, but it is a deliberate one con- ' Secretary or President, that success in the conducting of such a body is impossible, excepting the laws established for its constitution, and to which every Member on admission declares his adhesion, be acted Upto. Those laws may be unnecessary, inexpedient, or even simply inconvenient, and if so, the sooner the needless, inexpedient, or incon- Venient provisions be altered the better. But as the only claim which the executive of any such Society has even to ask for the subscriptions of its Members (without which the Society cannot work), is a strict herence to the constitution of the Society, every knowing violation the laws of such constitution is only a misleading of the Members. \And certainly, the constitutional right of every Member to take part, | fhe chooses, in the election of Officers, and to see that all or any fndue influence be prevented by that election being carried on only | ® 47, Notice of the annual meeting shall be inserted in two or more News- papers one week at least before the day of meeting,” 110 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [APRE, after due public notice, is not the least important right attached to membership of the Society. “T feel that the chair of the Asiatic Society of Bengal is one of the — highest scientific rewards which can be obtained in India. And — I most fully appreciate the honor intended for me by selection for — that office. I should, however, be false to myself, and false to the Members of the Society, if with the strong conviction I hold as to the inevitable results of such infringements of the laws of the Society, knowingly committed, I were to allow any personal considerations of honor to outweigh my convictions, ‘“‘ Under these circumstances, I do not therefore, hesitate to decline ~ assuming the responsibilities of an office to which, as I believe, I have not been legally elected, being still ready and willing, as I have always been, to exert myself for the advantage of your Society, as: — constituted, to the utmost of my power. . “ March 18th, 1868. “The forgoing letter was intended for immediate circulation to the Members of the Society. On the 12th instant I received the official notification of the election, dated 6th February, (which had miscarried | and had been returned to me from Madras), And being naturally anxious to remedy the lache which had occurred, and yielding to the views of others, I immediately requested a special meeting of the Council. This took place on the 17th instant. I stated my infor- mation, as to the facts—these were in no way questioned. I stated also my determination as above, not to accept the office unless suc irregular election were duly confirmed, and I pointed out the simple mode of remedying the mistake by a special general meeting of the Society, showing that under Rule 63—such could be called by the Council, or by the President, on a requisition from six Members of the Society. I further stated, that I had already received suck a requisition, properly signed, which, if President, I would have ne option but to comply with. And I left it to the Council to say what they would do. After discussion, the following resolution was passeé that—‘In the opinion of the Council as Dr. Oldham was electet President at a general meeting held in accordance with the Bye-Laws ¢ this Society, his election is legal and valid, notwithstanding som informality in the notices convening the meeting which appear t 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 111 have been issued only three days instead of seven days before the day of election. The Council are informed that the irregularity of the notices was remarked by several Members of the Society before the meeting, but no one at the time raised any objection to the notices of the meeting, that the business should not be proceeded with in the usual course.’ j “‘ And the meeting separated. . *‘ This will show that I am still unable to accept the office. “ The respect due to my fellow-members of the Asiatic Society has made it necessary to make them acquainted with the facts. I cannot submit to be a party to an avowed neglect of the rules affecting all your officers, which is treated as of no importance, being one of a number of other departures from the laws of your Society.” “ T have the honor to be, “‘ Gentlemen, “Your very obedient Servant, “ Tuomas OLpHAM.” _ The Chairman in giving notice of the following motion on behalf of - Council remarked— That in the absence of a President, it devolved upon him as senior Vice-President to explain to the Society the action which the Council had felt it incumbent on them to take, upon the “receipt of the letters which the Secretary had just read. He pre- “mised, however, that according to the rules of the Society, (to which he referred specifically,) the subject of the communication, which he Was about to make, could not be treated as matter of discussion at this meeting. But it was necessary, under those rules, that a formal " Notification of the proposals of the Council should now be made to the Society in order that they might be legitimately considered and determined upon at a subsequent Special Meeting to be convened for the purpose. He then stated shortly the facts connected with the election of Dr. Oldham as President of the Society, namely,—that he Was nominated to that post in the usual manner by the almost un- ~ animous voice of the Council, and that he was afterwards elected by the Society, at the Annual Meeting, which is fixed by the rules to be “held not later than the third Wednesday of January for the election of Officers, and which this year took place on the 15th of that month, At 112 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Apri, that time, Dr. Oldham was absent from Calcutta, and he did not receive notice of his election until his return some weeks later. When however, he got this notice, he objected that the advertisements of the Annual Meeting of the 15th January had not been published a suf- — ficient number of days before the meeting according to the rules which : specified seven days in that respect, while only three had actually elapsed between the publication and the meeting. On this ground he maintained that the meeting at which he had been elected was no proper meeting for the election of officers, and consequently his pre- tended election was void. After this, a special meeting of the Council was held at the request of Dr. Oldham, at which he was present and stated his views. The Council then unanimously resolved that not- withstanding the irregularity in question relative to the advertise- ments, the election of the President was perfectly valid, and they called upon Dr. Oldham to say whether he would accept the office or not. Dr. Oldham’s answer is exhibited in the letters now placed before the Society. In substance, he denies that any real election has yet taken place for this year, and demands that proceedings should - now be taken de novo for the purpose of effecting one. It was im- possible for the Council to concede to this. In their view, the correct- ness of which, he [the Chairman] was not now concerned to discuss, there had been a perfectly valid election, and the Council could of course only act according to the facts as they themselves saw them, Under these circumstances, they would have been justified, no doubt, as the executive body of the Society, in treating Dr. Oldham’s behaviour as amounting virtually to non-acceptance of the office ten dered to him. If they were right, the Society had offered Dr. Oldham its highest office, and he had not within a reasonable time signified his acceptance of the offer. The Council might therefore on their own responsibility have taken the necessary steps for the election of another person, They have thought it better, however, to lay the whole matter before the Society, while at the same time they have considered it to be their duty to recommend the Society to act in it in accordance with the view, which they, after much consideration, have already taken. As the organ of the Council, he therefore now begged to notify to the Society that Wednesday, 6th of May, had been fixed as the day for a Special Meeting to 1868: Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 118 consider this matter, and that the Council eee then recommend the | age of the following resolution :— 3 “That the office of President be declared to be vacant, inasmuch as _ Dr. Oldham has declined to accept it or to assume its duties, after ‘ having been duly elected thereto, and informed of that election.” _ He would add that one great advantage to be gained by the Council : thus taking the initiative in the matter, would be the saving of time which would result, because it would thus under the rules be unneces- 7 sary to make a reference back to the Council before a final decision £ could be come to, as would otherwise have to be done. _ Dr. Oldham having received permission of the meeting to make some remarks, proceeded to give notice. | “That at the special general meeting on the first Wednesday in May on the resolution of the Council just read being proposed, he will move as an amendment, that the words commencing ‘ after he had been duly elected &e.’ to the end of the resolution, be omitted, being inconsistent with the facts,” % Sir R. Temple asked of the Chairman whether this meeting was 4 competent to pass a vote confirming the election at the annual general hija 7 _ The Chairman replied that undoubtedly it was not so competent. . Mr. HE. C. Bayley then asked, whether a Committee elected by the Society could not decide the question ‘ whether the irregularity which had been committed, rendered the election void or voidable.’ The Chairman replied that personally he entertained no doubt that the election had not been rendered void or voidable, but that the “whole question might be discussed by the Society at the Special _ General Meeting. _ Mr. Justice Norman remarked that such informalities of notice do- | ‘not invalidate parliamentary elections. 2 Colonel R. Strachey then gave notice that at the Special General _ Meeting of 6th May, he will move as an amendment to the resolution the Council— 2 “That the informality in the publication of the notice of the last ~ Annual General Meeting of the Society is not of a nature to invalidate the election of Dr. Oldham as President, and that he was therefore : duly elected and is the President of the Society.”’ 114 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [APRIL, — The Council reported in favour of a recommendation made by the — Philological Committee, to publish the Muntakhab ul Labab of Khafi | Khan and the Maasir-i-Alamgiri in the Persian Series of the Bibliotheca ; Indica. The following note by Major Lees was laid before the meeting. “The Badshahnamah and Alamgirnamah having been completed, — it becomes necessary to select two other works for the Persian Series ; and these two have already been provisionally accepted by the Philo- logical Committee; they are the Muntakhab ul Labib commonly called Khaéfi Khan, and Maasir Alamgir. “Twill take the latter first. Jt is known that Alamgir issued strict injunctions in the first year of his reign, that no historian should chronicle the events of his reign. Up to this period we have the j history of Mahommad Kazim which was compiled by his order. This — is styled the Alamgirnamah, and has been published already by the — Society. For the latter period of this long reign, we have as yet published nothing ; and the two works which are mentioned, are I think the best available. The Maasir Alamgiri is a small work, and will not occupy more than three and a half to four fasciculi. The author — Muhammad Saki Mustaid Khan, held an office at the court; and — had capital opportunities of obtaining good information, besides” which, it is supposed that he made memoranda during the lifetime of Aurangzeb which he afterwards employed for his history. The first portion of his history is an abridgment of Muhammad Kazim’s history, and it might be omitted ; but there seems to be an objection to the publication of mutilated editions, and many think that it injures the sale. It certainly does in India. ‘But of far greater importance for the history of this and the subse- quent period, is the history of Khafi Khan. This is truly a noble history, and its publication will add considerable lustre to the — Persian Series. It has been used by Elphinstone and other English — historians; but very partially, and its use, so far from having been | superseded, has been rendered the more necessary by the frequent references we find to this work in their pages, The book is so well- known, that it is unnecessary to give an extended notice of it. Suf- . fice it to say, that it embraces the period from Timir till the 14th | year of the reign of Muhammad Shah. But from the times of — 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 115 Timir to Shah Jehan, the subject is treated in the abstract, the his- tory becoming enlarged gradually as the author approaches his own times. The first portion, however, for the reasons before assigned, should be printed as well as the last. The author was certainly the most competent historian of his period, and his criticisms upon other historians are not without value. In the publication of this work, moreover, the Society will secure the history of a period of 26 years after the death of Aurangzeb, during which Khafi Khan was a con- temporary writer. During this interval seven kings reigned. Azim Shah, Bahadur Shah, Shah Aalam, Azim us-Shein, Jehandar Shah, Farokshir, Rafi ud Dirajét, and Mohammed Shah. Some of these kings only reigned a few months, and of the whole period of 26 years, 14 belong to Mahommad Shah. Manuscripts of Khafi Khan are very numerous. There are four in the Society, two of which are complete, and two or three more could doubtless be obtained in Calcutta and the neighbourhood, but perfect copies, 7. e., good and accurate copies are rare, and the discrepancies between some of the copies I have seen are so great as to warrant the supposition that there were two editions of the work. Some care therefore will be required in editing this valuable history. Maulawi Kabir ud-din and Maulawi Gholam Qadir, the two resident Munshis of the Madrassah, would, I think execute the work well. The former has an acquaintance with the requirements of critical editing, and understands the value of variations in readings, and how to discriminate between copyist’s errors, and doubtful texts; and the latter is a good Persian scholar. § “ For the smaller works the Maasi i Alamgiri, Maulawis Abd al Hye and Ubd ur Rahim will perform the duties of editors I think effi- ciently. The former has a knowledge of Knglish, and has edited and assisted in the editing of very many texts for the Society.” The following letter from Dr. R. H. Curran forwarding pieces of ‘gold and silver found under the skin of a Burmese convict at the Andaman Islands, was read. Port Blair, Andamans, March 4th, 1868. “Srr,—lI have the honor to forward for the Asiatic Society, the ) enclosed pieces of gold and silver which I accidentally found whilst 116 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Aprin, making a post mortem of a Burman convict, who was hanged here, in December iast. There were twelve pieces of each metal enclosed in separate but dense capsules beneath the skin. ‘On proceeding to open the chest, I found the first two pieces of gold on either side beneath the integuments. The remaining gold pieces were found on each arm, and the silver in the forearms. There was no mark on the outer skin to indicate that any foreign body lay. beneath, but by carefully feeling along the arms, small hard bodies could be detected. “ On enquiring, I find Burmans are in the habit of inserting these bodies, as charms for sickness, or for the purposes of averting impend- ing danger. The man from whom these were removed, was known in Burmah, as a desperate and dangerous character. The charms did not appear to have the desired effect. “‘ There is some writing on those coins, but I am unable to make it out.” (Sd) R. H. Curran. The Secretary then read’ the following letter from Mr. Mulheran, describing the Cromlechs of Central India: communicated by Colonel — H. L. Thuillier. Camp, 12 miles W. of Hanye. Ath February, 1868. “My pear Cotonet,—I have much pleasure in acknowledging your letter of the 12th Instant and hasten to forward prints from the Photographs to which you refer. “‘Cromlechs of the form illustrated in Photograph No. 4 [P1.I. fig. 2 are foundin great abundance on both banks of the Godavery in the neigh- bourhood of Albaka, and in the low ridges west of the canal above Duma- gadium. The majority of the Cromlechs consist of a number of upright stones sunk into the ground in the form of a square, and covered with one or two large slabs of sandstone. In some, two bodies, or rather their re- mains, appear to have been interred. In others only one. The crosses are found in the neighbourhood of Malur, and Katapur, two villages on the Nizam’s side of the river. I have not seen the Cromlechs near Albaka, but have been informed by those who have, that no crosses are found near them. ‘The cross at Malur has both of the arms broken, VOL-XXKVIL. P®T. 7? + r | Fig:2 Stone cross and Kist at Aatapir . CENTRAL INDIA. Lith from/ w Photograph’ by Kalli Doss Paul Student Govt Schook of Art: Cab; 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 115 one near its stem, and is lying on the road to the cave under the hill. The crosses at Katapar with one exception are uninjured. All are situated to the right of the Cromlechs near which they have been erected. Judging from the one lying exposed at Malir, they are all about 10 feet in length, although only 6 and 7 feet appear above the ground. They consist of one stone, and are all of the Latin form. No information of any kind could be obtained re- garding the people by whom the crosses and Cromlechs were erected, There can, however, be no doubt that the crosses are memorials of the faith of Christians buried in their vicinity ; but by whom erected, and at what time, has still to be ascertained. The isolation of the broken cross at Maltr, if not erected as a road-side memorial, is very puzzling. The whole of the Cromlechs at Maltr are found near the summit of the ridge, which is about 250 feet above the path leading to the cave. Assuming the cross to have been broken while in transit to the ridge, it is difficult to understand the reason of its being found on the side opposite to that on which the Cromlechs are situated. If broken while in transit to the cave, then the cave itself must be another form of the Cromlechs crowning the hill, and if so, it is the largest, and most interesting of the whole series. My own impression | is, that the Maltr cross wherever erected, was thrown down after the - conversion of the cave intoa temple by Brahmins from the neighbour- hood of Badrachalam. In all probability the Brahmins know 4 nothing regarding the original use of the cave, and have not, in conse- ‘ quence, disturbed the cement used to preserve the remains below. - What struck me as peculiar in this excavation, was its small entrance, The surface of the rock above is carved to the height of 10 or 12 feet, % The cross is also slightly carved, but although similar in form to S at Katapar, it is less angular in its general outlines. “I enclose Captain Glasfurd’s note to me about the crosses, from which you will see that he first drew my attention to them, and sug- "gested my taking the Photographs enclosed. If I am not mistaken he sent drawings, and a packet of the implements, rings, and utensils found in two of the Cromlechs that he opened, to the Asiatic Society,* of which he is a member. “Tam taking a set of Photographs of the wild people inhabiting the _* No such donation has been received by the Society.—Hp, 118 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ APRIL, Chundwara ridges, including the Chiefs (Gond) recognised by Govern- ment, and in possession of the Jagheers of Hurrye, Sonpur, and Pratapa- ghar. The Chiefs of Hurrye and Sonpur are stone blind, and pitiable objects, as you will see when the Photographs reach you. Their sons appear to have inherited the disease, and will in time lose their sight, the eyes of one being already affected. As soon as I have completed the set, I willsend you a packet of prints. The uncombed heads of the wild Gond women will astonish you. Major Wood, the Deputy Commissioner, has written to all the Chiefs to assist me, and I find all exceedingly civil and obliging. I am getting on very rapidly with my work, the forest fires not yet having interfered with my observations. I have only one more principal station to visit. All the rest are secondary points, but I am observing verticals of all, and will furnish a complete table of heights. Yours very sincerely, J. MuLuERAN. A discussion took place on the subject of this letter, and the accompanying photographs, in which Mr. Blanford, Dr. Colles, Dr. Oldham, Mr. Bourke, Mr. E. Bayley and others took part. The receipt of the following communications was announced, 1. A memorandum on Elephants by Lieut. J. Johnstone. 2. On the birds of the Goonah District by Dr. G. King. The Chairman announced, the night being far advanced, that unless the contrary were particularly desired by the members, the reading of — the following papers announced for this evening would be postponed — to the meeting in May. 1. A memorandum on Elephants. 2. Extracts from the Narrative Report of a route Survey from Nepal to Lhassa. LIBRARY. : The following additions were made to the Library since the meeting _ held in March last. 4 *,* The names of Donors in capitals. Presentations. Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-K6éniglichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, : Wien 1866, No. 4;—The K. K. Guonogiscnen Retonsansvarr. | 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 119 Magnetischer Atlas gehérig zum Magnetismus der erde von C. Hansteen Professor, Christiania 1819.—Dzr Konerniaze Norske Universiter-1-CHristiaNia. Meteorologiske Iagttagelser paa fem telegrafstationer ved Norges Kyst reducerede og Sammenstillede af J. J. Astrand, Forste og anden aargang udgivne af det Kongelige. Norske Frederiks Universitet ved ©. Fearnley.—Dertr Koneerigs Norske Universitet 1 Curis- TIANIA. ~ Meteorologiske Iagttagelser i. det Sydlige Norge 18638, 1864, 1865, 1866.—Der Koneztrax Norske Univeasrrer 1 Curisrtanta. Meteorologiske Iagttagelser paa Christiania Observatorium 1866.— Det Konertige Norske UNIversiLet 1 CuRistTIiaNta. Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne udgives af den Physiogra- phiske Forening i Christiania ved M. Sars og Th. K’jerulf—Dezr Konertice Norske Universitet I CuRisTIANIA. Morkinskinna Pergamentsbog fra Forste Halvdel af det Trettende Aarhundrede Indeholdende en af de Aildste optegnelser af Norske Kongesagaer. Udgiven af C. R. Unger.—Dur Konezticr Norske Universitet 1 CHRIsTIANIA. Forhandlinger i Videnskabs-Selskabet i Christiania, Aar 1865.— Det Konertice Norske Universitet t CHRristrIANta. Om Civaisme i Huropa af C. A. Holmboe.—Tux Avrnor. Om Tallene 108 og 13 af C. A. Holmboe.—Tue Avruor. Det Kongelige Norske Frederiks Universitets Aarsberetning for _ Aaret, 1866, Med. Bilage.—Dur Konexnice Norske Unrversrrets _ 1 CuristTrANiIA. : ~ Index Scholarum in Universitate Regia Fredericiana centesimo ‘nono ejus semestri anno 1867 ab augusto mense ineunte habendarum. -—Dnr Koneutice Norske Unrverstrers 1 Curistranta. Hitudes sur les Affinités Chimiques par C. M. Guldberg et P. ‘ Waage.—Der Koneetige Norske Universitets 1 Curisrranta. Untersuchungen iiber den Magnetismus der Erde von C. Hansteen. —Dezr Koneetigr Norske Universrrets 1 Curistranta. General report on Public Instruction in the Lower Provinces of the Bengal Presidency for 1866-67.—Tue Director or Pusuic Insrrvuc- ‘tion, Lower Provinoss. 120 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Aprit, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, No. 97.—Tur Roya. Socrety or Lonpon. Uber ein Fragment der Bhagavati; ein beitrag zur kenntniss der heiligen litteratur und sprache der Jaina von A. Weber; Zweiter Theil.—Tue Autuor. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlaindischen Gesselschaft, Band — XXI. Heft [V.—Drvtscuznn MorecennanpiscHEen GEssELSCHAFT. Wissenschaftlicher Jahresbericht tiber die Morgenlandischen Stu- dien 1859 bis 1861 von Dr. R. Gosche.—Derutsconen MoreEnnanpis- CHEN GESELSCHAFT. La Femme dans l’Inde Antique; études morales et litteraires, par Mlle. Clarisse Bader.—Mute. Crarisse Bapur. Atti della R. Accademia delle Scienze di Torino, Vol. II. Disp 4-7.—Accapemra R. Detie Scienze pr Torro. Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino, Vol. — XXIII.—Accapemra R. vette Scienze vr Torro, . Almanach der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, X VII. —KAIsERLICHEN AKADEMIE DER WIssENSCHAFTEN ZU WIEN. Fontes Rerum Austriacarum, Osterreichische Geschichts Quellen, Band XXVIIL—Karserticoen AKADEMIH DER WIsSENSCHAFTEN ZU WIEN. Archiv fiir Oesterreichische Geschichte, Band XXXVIII. Heft L. — KAIsERLICHEN AKADEMIE DER WIsSENSCHAFTEN ZU WIEN. ~ Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Philos.-Histor. Classe, Band LVI. Hefte I—III. Mathematisch- Naturwissenschaftliche Classe, Band LV. Hefte III.—V, Band LVL Hefte I.—Katserticnen AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN ZU WIEN. The Proverbial Philosophy of Cats; by Captain T. C. Anderson.— Tou AUTHOR. Some Spanish Proverbs collated by Captain T. C. Anderson.— Tux Horror. . Last words of a few celebrities (concluded); by Capt. T. C. Ander- — son. Tur Avuruor. : Ubique ; War services of all the officers of H. M.’s Bengal Army 2 by Captain T. C. Anderson. —'Tue AurHor. : The Order of the Victoria Cross for Valour; by Captain T. @. Anderson.—Tur Autuor. ) ~ 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 121 ; _ Venisamhéra-Nétakam of Bhattanéréyana.—B’asu Kepa’Rana’ THA _ Banvopa’puya’ya. Actes de L’Académie Impériale des Sciences, Belles Lettres et Arts de Bordeaux, 3, 1867.—Tuz Acapemy. Report on the Land Revenue Administration of the Lower Pro- _vinces for the Official year 1866-67.—Tnue Government or Benaat. _ Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department Nos, LXI. and LXIL—Tue Government or Brnaat. Bombay Sanskrit Series No. I. Panchatantra,—Tuz Horror. Purchase. _ he Ferns of British India; by Captain R. H. Beddome, Part | XVI. | _ Pratna Kamra Nandini, No. 7. Revue des Deux Mondes, 15th January, 1868. _ Revue et Magasin de Zoologie, No, 12, 1867. Revue Archéologique, T. 1868. _ Comptes Rendus, No. 27, 1867 and No. 1, 1868. _ Journal des Savants, December, 1867. Roth and Bohtlingk’s Sanskrit Wérterbuch, Lief, 36. a . r | s “4 Rios Pe onsite Pines af « a > wrt ye = *.. a tne SB : be ary Son TA PROCEEDINGS OF THE - ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For May, 1868. ieee In pursuance of Notice issued by the Council, a Special General Meeting of the Society assembled on May 6th, 1868) at 9 p. m. It was proposed by the Hon’ble J. P. Norman, and seconded by Dr. Colles, “‘ That the President do take the chair.”’ After some pause, Mr. Oldham said, that if he were intended by the words of this proposition, he would be very happy to take the chair, as Mr. Oldham, if the meeting so wished, but that the question “really to be decided was, whether he were President or not. _ Dr. Colles then proposed as an amendment, ‘That Mr. Oldham do take the chair.’ This was put to the vote and lost. It was then proposed by, Mr. H. F. Blanford and seconded by Mr. Mac- -kenzie, and carried, ‘That the Hon’ble J. B. Phear do take the hair.’ t The Chairman then called on the General Secretary to read the ‘minutes of the last ordinary meeting which he proceeded to do, when ‘it was proposed by Mr. Oldham and seconded by Mr. Scott, that the business of the special meeting summoned for 9 o’clock P. m., be _ proceeded with before that of the ordinary meeting—Carried. The Meeting was accordingly made special. The Chairman said that it was his duty, as representative of the Council, to propose to the Meeting the resolution which the Council recommended for adoption. But he thought that, as he occupied the Chair that evening, it would be unbecoming in him to offer any remarks either in favour of, or against, the resolution. He would 124 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ May, therefore confine himself to calling on the Secretary to read the letters from Mr. Oldham. (These have been already published, see Proceedings for April, 1868.) He then proposed on the part of the Council, the — resolution itself in the following words :— “That the Office of President be declared to be vacant, inasmuch “as Dr. Oldham has declined to accept it or to assume its duties, “after having been duly elected thereto, and informed of that elec- “tion,” : A question being raised, as to whether this resolution required to be seconded, it was moved by Mr. Bourke, and seconded by Dr. Colles, and carried, ‘‘ That resolutions coming from the Council do not require to be seconded.” After a considerable pause, Mr. Bourke wished to propose an amendment onthe resolution of the Council, but the Chairman, on — hearing it, stated that it could not be accepted as an amendment. Being a substantive proposition in itself negativing the original proposition, | it might be considered after the resolution had been disposed of, but not till then, Mr. Bourke would wish to alter the wording, but the Chairman not accepting this either, Mr. Bourke said his only course then was, to adopt unquestioned precedent, and frame the amendment out of the actual words of the resolution—He moved, - ‘That. the word ‘not’ be inserted between the words ‘be’ and ‘ vacant,’. and also the word ‘not’ between the words ‘has’ and — ‘ declined.’.”’ - Mr, Oldham moved thie amendment st nahh he had given notice: “‘ That the words of the resolution, from ‘ after having been’ &c., to the end be omitted, being inconsistent with the facts,” The question — for the meeting to decide was, whether there had been a due election — a decision on that point had been come to by the only competent — body,—the Society—but he had not declined the office peril such due | election. ¢ j Dr. Waldie wished ay propose, ‘* That the Society do not const 7 the informality in the proceedings of the last Annual General Meeting to be of such a nature as onght to vitiate the proceedings of that meeting, and resolve that the election of President and Couns then made, be ratified and confirmed.” » Jo 4 : oN Seen =N3} . 1868.] Proceedings | of the. Asiatic Society. 125 _. The Chairman Stated that .this was open to the same objection as he had already expressed with regard to others, it could not be ac- eepted as an arnendment, but might bé brought forward sleek if it were desired. _ After some discussion, in which Dr. J. B. Partridge, Mr. Oldham, Me Blanford, Mr. Mackenzie, Dr. D. B. Smith, and Colonel Thuillier took part. Mr. Oldham’s amendment was put to the vote and, on a show of hands, was declared lost. - Mr. Bourke’s amendment, ‘‘ That the office of President be declared to be not vacant, inasmuch as Dr. Oldham has not declined to accept it or to assume its duties, after having been duly elected thereto, .and informed of that election,” was then put to the vote. | A show of hands was called for, and this amendment also was de- ¢lared to be lost. _ The original resolution of the rac was then put, (as above) and, on a show of hands, it also was declared to be lost. Mr. Oldham then moyed and Dr. Waldie seconded, That the pro-: ceedings of the Annual Meeting on 15th January, 1868, be con- firmed. Mr. W. 8. Atkinson moved as an amendment. “That in the opinion of this meeting the informality in the publi- “cation of the notice of the last Annual General Meeting of the ““ Society was not of a nature to invalidate the election of the Presi- «“ dent and Council, and that they were therefore duly elected, and are “respectively the President and Council of the Society.” _ This was seconded by Dr. Colles, and was put tothe Meeting nd declared by the Chairman to be carried. Mr. Blanford said that in consequence of this resolution, he beciced to resign his office of General Seoretary to the Society. _ The Special Meeting was then dissolved. ; oe . * _ The meeting then resolved itself into a general monthly one. _ Dr. T. Oldham, having taken the chair, desired the Philological ‘Secretary, in the absence of the General Secretary, to read the minutes of the last meeting, which were thereupon read and confirmed, ~ The following presentations were announced— 1. From the Royal School of Mines, through Dr. T. Oldham, a < 126 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [May, copy of Portlock’s Geological Report on Londonderry and parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh. 2. From Lieutenant-Colonel G. Mainwaring, 2 copies of a Lepcha Primer. 3. From J.S8, Carlile, Esq. of Melbourne through Mr. G. Robb, a copy of a Vocabulary of dialects spoken by the aboriginal natives of Australia: a copy of Statistiques des Mines et des Mineraux par R. B. Smyth, and a copy of a Memorial of the Victorian Exhibition, 1866, consisting of a verse from the Holy Writ in above one hundred lan- guages. 4, From J. Gregory, Esq. 13 pieces of silver Jayanti coins. 5. From Captain H. C. E. Ward, four specimens of Physa Prin- sepit from Sank-ka pahada in the Mandla district. 6. From Dr. A. C. Maingay, a collection of skins of rare and little known birds from Malacca. The following gentlemen, duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting, were balloted for and elected ordinary members, J. Baynes, Esq, T. EH. Coxhead, Esq. A. Pirie, Esq. F. W. Peterson, Esq. C. D. Field, Esq. The following were nominated as candidates for ballot at the June meeting. , E. Bugk, Esq. C. S., Cawnpore ; proposed by Mr, Grote, seconded — by Dr. Colles. 7 Babu Yatindramohana Thakura; proposed by Babu Rajendralala Mitra, seconded by Mr. H. F. Blanford. H. Reinhold, Esq. ; proposed by Dr. Stoliczka, seconded by Dr. Fayrer. | Dr. C. R. Francis, for re-election ; proposed by Mr. H. I’. Blanford, seconded by Dr. J. A. P. Colles. A letter from R. A. Sterndale, Esq, intimating his desire to with- draw from the Society was recorded. The Council’s recommendation for the publication of an English translation of the ’Ain-i Akbari in the Bibliotheca Indica was adopted 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 127 A letter from Sir R. Temple forwarding copies of correspondence with the Commissioner of Coorg, respecting an interesting discovery of a number of ancient Cromlechs in South Coorg, was laid on the table. Also a letter from Colonel J. T. Walker, forwarding a letter from Mr. Mulheran on the crosses and Cromlechs of Chindwara district. The reading of these papers was deferred until the next monthly meeting. The receipt of the following communications was announced. 1. Notes on rare and little known Malayan Birds by Dr. A. C. Maingay. 2. Contributions towards a Persian Lexicography, by H. Bloch- mann, Hsq. 8. On Solar Eclipses and the total Hclipse, August 18th, 1868, By Major F. Tennant. The chairman stated that this paper, being of great present interest, ~ had been, by order of Council, sent to press for immediate printing. The following paper, postponed from the last meeting, was read by the author, Notes on Elephants, by Linut. Jounstonz, Supdt. Kheddas, Cuttack | Tributary Mehals, The Indian Elephant is usually supposed to be one species, differing slightly in external appearance according to the locality in which it is found. Elephants are found in Chittagong, Burmah, Sylhet, Assam, Bhootan, Nepaul, Cuttack, Chota-Nagpore, Central Provinces, Mysore 4 and Dehra Dhoon. Of all these places Chittagong, Jynteea and Mysore are said to produce the finest kind, and Assam the worst. _ he “ Elephas Indicus” has six true, and thirteen false ribs on either side; the “ Hlephas Sumatranus,” of Borneo, Sumatra and Ceylon has fourteen false ribs, the true ribs being the same in both species, ‘I have found elephants in the Central Provinces of the latter descrip- tion. Whether the Central Province elephant is to be considered a distinct species from ‘‘ Klephas Indicus,’’ is a question to be decided by naturalists. The African elephant differs from the Indian species in having much larger ears and a sloping forehead; both male and female have tusks, and the specimens I have seen more resemble the “ Mirga- band,” or very light built Indian elephants, than any: other. The _ teeth also differ from those of the Indian elephant. 128 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ May, In noticing the Central Province elephant, I omitted to state that in one prominent feature, it closely resembles the Ceylon elephant, viz. in the small proportion of tuskers to ‘‘ macknés’” (or male ele- — phants without tusks). The habits of all elephants are the same, and | all seem equally capable of being trained for the use of man. . 9 An elephant arrives at maturity at from 25 to 30 years of age; and I am of opinion that in their wild state the average duration. of life is about 80 to 100 years, though it is extremely difficult to ascer- tain this point, and I may mention that out of a herd of 30 or 40 elephants, it is not at all uncommon to find only one really ae female. The female elephant begins to breed at about 18 years of age, and goes on breeding for 40 or 50 years, giving birth to a young one “about once in 5 years: this I have ascertained from careful observa- tion. The period of gestation varies from 18 to 24 months. A large proportion of males never attain a large size, but are puny — and stunted, though why, I cannot understand. Of those that do — attain a large size, (say 1 in 10,) the smallest are always killed or turned out of the herd by the larger ones, and this of course tends to keep up the size of the breed. | It is a remarkable fact that a dead elephant is never found i in the jungle, and therefore I believe that when about to die they retire to the most inaccessible parts of the forest. f A female elephant suckles her young till another is born. I have seen a young. one of 12 years of age, sucking. - If a young one strays from its mother, and finds her again after two or three days, the old elephant will not own it, but drive it- away. ia Elephants copulate in eractly the same manner as horses, but work 3 rarely in confinement, though I have known two or three instances. = A male elephant, captured by me on January 7th of this year, covered a female while in the stockade. | Be In their wild state, elephants are excessively timid, and very rarely = attack a man even in self-defence. q The average number of a herd of elephants is about 20 or 25, they ; have a female at their head, who leads the way; in the cold. weather 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 129 three or four herds often join together ; and when a female is in heat, a male joins them, otherwise the males remain apart. _ Often a large male is seen attended by three or four smaller ones. Males, when with the herd, never help to defend the others from any outward attack, but are generally the first to run. . When rivers are dry, wild elephants often scoop out little pools in the sand in which the water remains ; this I have seen myself, and I have lately heard of elephants damming up a stream with boulders and sand, so as to keep a good supply of water for themselves. - It is a mistake shooting elephants to prevent their devastating the crops ; shooting only breaks up the herds and disperses them over a _ large space, thereby increasing the amount of damage done. _ I may observe that though the elephants of the countries I have basil all possess distinctive features of their own, still in every country you find elephants of all kinds, thus, though the ‘“ Mirgé- band” is characteristic of Assam, nevertheless I have seen animals equal to the Jynteea kind caught in Upper Assam ; I have also lately seen a Kumaon elephant exactly resembling a Chittagong one. This remark does not, however, apply to the Central Provinces, as the elephants there are all of one kind, and seém to me totally dis- _ tinct from those found in any other part of the Continent of India. Midnapore, 12th March, 1868. Mr. Ball said :— * During the past season when engaged in a geological examination ee of the hilly country which separates Manbhoom from Dhalbhoom and 'Singhbhoom, I have frequently, on the tops of hills and in the depths of the jungles, met with traces of wild elephants. The period of the elephants’ stay in that part of the country is altogether dependent on } the rice crop; and as this had been cut about a fortnight or three _ weeks before the time of my visit, I missed seeing the elephants them- q selves, but found that much might be learned of their habits from an examination of their tracks. _ “The natives say that a herd of at least 30 individuals come up every year from the S. E. (Satbhoom) and, while the rice is available, ‘spread themselves along the range of hills of which Dulma (8047 feet) isthe culminating point. Thence they nightly make descents on the crops of the neighbouring villages, causing great loss to the 130 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ May, poor Santhal and Bhumij ryots. To prevent this loss as much as possible, watchers are set ; and so soon as the elephants approach, the whole village get the alarm, and with shouting, drum-beating, and brandishing of torches, they manage to drive them off. “In some villages, I found that the ryots, in order to save any portion of their crops, had been obliged to cut the paddy while still green. There are many deserted villages from which the inhabitants have fled in fear for their lives ; one of these, which I saw, had evidently become a favourite place of resort with the elephants; foot-prints and other traces of their recent presence being abundant even inside the crum- bling walls of the houses. “‘ Occasionally the elephants commence their dopalligenie before sunset ; close to Dulma I was told of five elephants appearing one day in the rice field at about 4 o’clock. “On most of the hills, the elephants have made paths with a gentle ascent; and the comparative ease with which, where these existed, I was enabled todo my work, made me frequently bless them and regard them, no matter what they might be to the ryots, as at least my benefactors. “During the day the elephants feed upon several jungle trees, of which the principal, as far as I could detect from the debris, are the following :— Branches and leaves. Fireus Indica Bar, B. : ee Pipal, B. not very common in the TACEMOSA. — Phenix acaulis Jangly-khejur, B. Bark only. Cochlospermum gossypium Gol-gol. Shorea robusta Sal. Bauhinia Vahlit Chehiur. Butea superba Palas Shoots and Roots. Bambusa stricta. *‘ Large gol-gol trees may often be seen torn up by the roots, and with the greater part of their bark stripped off: it is the only part of this tree eaten by elephants, Sal trees from four to six inches in diameter ye ee gee ee et a 7 ~, 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 131 are frequently broken off sharp at about four feet from the ground Large bamboos seem to be crushed between the teeth just as a mere amusement, in fact, as a groom might chew a straw, “Tn examining the foot-prints at the river ghats and other niles I was much struck with the carelessness with which the wild elephants walk as compared with the domesticated animals ; the latter, as is well known, try every step on doubtful ground, and if there is danger, refuse to proceed: the former seem constantly to make false steps and even venture upon recently made tank bunds which, in several cases, I noticed had given way under their weight.” _ Dr. Stoliczka said—The most prominent distinctions between the African and the Indian elephant, besides the difference in the size of the ears, were the greater frontal roundness of the head and the easier slope from near the middle of the back in the former species. Lieute- nant Johnstone had noticed in the Indian elephant the variation in the number of false ribs, and in the size of the ears, and it would be: very interesting to notice how far the other distinctive characters were constant. There could be little doubt that several more or less constant variations among the Indian elephants may in time be traced out. And it would be very desirable further to notice how much. these variations depend upon, or are caused by, local influences and. conditions of climate—by food, &c., and whether these variations are- hereditary. The form of the milk-teeth should also be very carefully . noted, very few observations having been made in their direction. Dr. Fayrer asked whether there was more than one species of ele- phants known in India, and whether any differences in the lamelle of. the molar teeth, such as were characteristic of the African elephant,. had been observed. _ Dr. Stoliczka said that so far as present observations went, Indian: a> have all been referred to one species, and pointed out the _ great difficulty which existed in making accurate observations on the: - teeth, after they had been much ground down by use. While the ‘arrangement of the lamelle will of course remain constant,. variations- “may arise from different causes. Observations on the milk-teeth, would: be much simpler and more to be depended upon. Several important dis- finetions have been traced out among fossil elephants by the study of. these milk-teeth. 132 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ May, The President thought the Society would join him in thanking Lieutenant Johnstone for his brief and modest, but very suggestive notes, There were many, very many, points of interest, which few could have such opportunities of settling as Lieutenant Johnstone. The very question of the number of ribs in the Indian elephant had been open to discussion, and there were many other points of the highest interest which, he doubted not, the writer of these notes would now bear more fully in mind. Lieutenant Johnstone would be very happy to aid to the best of his ability in carrying out any investigations concerning elephants, He would beg to suggest that some competent person would take up a question of very high importance,—he alluded to the diseases of elephants. He himself knew very little about it, while the oldest and | : best mahuts appeared to know even less. They were possessed of a number of empirical remedies handed down for generations, but many of which were grossly absurd. The roasted head of a dog was, for | instance, considered specific in some cases. There were several attacks quite fatal to these animals, which, if properly studied, he felt convinced, could be brought under control. In reply to a question from Mr. Atkinson, he said he never had met with a white elephant. Elephants frequently became partially light-coloured, or what was called white; he had seen one himself in — Assam, which was quite piebald. This change of colour was brought on, he believed, by attacks of a kind of fever. Wild elephants neyer were so prettily varied in colour in this way about the trunk as those in captivity. The President announced at the request of Colonel H. Yule, R. E. that he was engaged in the preparation of a commentary on Marco Polo ; and would feel very grateful to any member who would favour him with notices tending to illustrate the localities visited by Marco Polo, or the subjects noticed by him, : Mr, Waldie gave notice that he would, at the next meeting, move. the following alteration in Rule 51 of the Bye-laws. That ‘the general meeting of December,” be substituted for “the day of election,’ and that the following be inserted at the end of ~ * BE? 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 133 the Rule: ‘ These balloting lists shall be laid before the members at the December meeting.” LIBRARY. : The following additions were made to the Library since the meeting held in April last. Presentations. ** Names of Donors in Capitals. List of Bengali and Sanscrit books and pamphlets d&c. published at _ Native Presses in Calcutta in 1865.—Tuxr Rev. J. Lone. _ Popular Bengali Proverbs by the Rev. J. Long.—Tue Avruor, Russian Proverbs illustrative of Social condition of Peasants and Women in Russia.—Tue Rev. J. Lona. The Prevalence of Organic Disease of the Spleen as a test for detecting malarious localities in hot climates, being a report of a Committee assembled by General Order of the Commander-in-Chief, dated the 16th September, 1854.—Tue Government or Inp1a, Forrran Deparr- MENT. ; Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department, Nos. LVIII and LIX.—Tue Government or Inoza, Foreten Duparrment. , Geological Report on Londonderry and Parts of Tyrone and Ferma- nagh by Capt. J. H. Portlock, R. H., F. R.S, F.G. S---Tur Royar ‘Scuoot or Mrvzs. _ Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, Paleontologia Indica, Vol. V. part 5.—Tue Grotogtcat Survey oF Inpra. _ Vocabulary of Dialects spoken by Aboriginal Natives of Australia. J.S. Carin, Esq, Metzourne. Statistiques des Mines et des Mineraux, par R. Brough Smyth.— J. 8. Cartitz, Esq, Mutzovurne. A memorial of the Victorian Exhibition 1866, consisting of a verse 7 from the Holy Writ in above one hundred languages.—J. S. Car.ize, _ Esq. Metzourne. Bulletin de la Société de Géographié, January 1868.—Tue Gxo- GRAPHICAL Society or Paris. Fs Report on Cattle diseases, by K. McLeod, Esq.—Tuz GovernmMENT + Benean. 134 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. Catalogue of Pathological preparations in the Museum of the Medi- cal College, by Dr. J. Ewart —Tur Autnor. The Rock-cut Temples of Ajanta, by J. Burgess, Esq. are AUTHOR. Hyati Afghani, by Hyat Khan.—Tae Government oF Pangan. Les Squelettes de Cétacés et les Musées qui les renferment.—Tu AUTHOR. Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society, Vol. XII. No. 1.— Tue Royat GeogRaPuican Socrery. Proceedings of the Royal Society, No. 98.—Tue Royat Socrpry. Sitzungsberichte der Kénigl-bayer. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Mimnchen; Jahrgang, 1867. Band L—K. A. pr Wissmns- CHAFTEN ZU MuNcHEN. Chart of the World, by H. Berghaus und F. v. Stiilpnagel.—Tux © AvTHORs. The Calcutta Journal of Medicine No. 3.—Te Eprror. Purchase. Revue des Deux Mondes, 1st February to 1st March, 1868. Jacut s Geographisches Wérterbuch aus den handschriften zu Berlin, — St. Petersburg, Paris, London und Oxford auf Kosten der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesellschaft, herausgegeben von Ferdinand Wiisten- feld. Zweiter band, Bog. 1—121. The Indian Medical Gazette, Vol. III. No. 4. Revue et Magasin de Zoologie, 1868, No. 1. Revue Archéologique, 1868, No. 2. Revue de Linguistique, Tome I. fase. 2. ; The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 1868, Nos. 2, 3. The Ibis, 1868, No. 1. | The Numismatic Chronicle, 1867, part 4. Journal des Savants, 1868, Jan., Févr. Reeve’s Conchologia Iconica, parts 268, 269. P Comptes Rendus, 1868, 1 to 7. x Gould’s Birds of Australia, Supplement, Part IV. : Pyatna-Kamra-Nandini, No. 8, 1868. Fauche’s Mahabharata, Vol. VIII. : ; ; 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 135 ay Warterbuch der Indogermanischen Grundsprache in ihrem Bestande vor der Volkertrennung. Hin Sprachgeschichtlicher Versuch von F. ©. August Fick. _ Nilsson on the Stone Age. 4 Beitraege zur Baktrischen. Lexikographie von Paul de Lagarde. -Darwin’s Animals and Plants under Domestication, 2 Vols. _ Falconer’s Paleontological Memoirs, Vols. 1, 2. _ Aubaret’s Grammaire Annamite. Vullers’ Supplementum Lexici Persico-Latini. _ Gorresio’s Uttarakénda. - Schlegel and Pollen’s Recherches sur la Faune de Madagascar. Qe Livn. The American Journal of Science and Arts, Nos, 127 to 133. Beddome’s Ferns of British India, part XIX, , Hachange. |The Atheneum, January, 1868. oe i 1 Sachideibes A RO Cahir d rf Stylin i? M Sie \— ro s Be 3 Ae 7 ‘h f : a nore) ssh q thy ii ihe crates iow ce ih rege «tht i} wnoitaiOU a Be i | ROE ceheirg NG Ie me 7 ase > it = dik boris ee i tiap PROCEEDINGS ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Jung, 1868. —o— Pursuant to notice from the Council, a Special General Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday the 3rd of June, 1868, at 9 o'clock, P. M. The President in the chair. The Chairman explained the reasons for which the special Meeting _ had been convened, and reported on the part of the Council that circu- lars for collecting votes for the alteration of Bye Laws Nos. 138, 43 and 64, had been sent to 119 non-resident members and 56 replies have been received. Of these one votes against the change in Rule 43, one votes against the change in rule 64; and one declines to vote, not _ having a copy of the Bye Laws.—The rest are all in favour of the changes : “proposed. As the several propositions had already been discussed in the Society, and were only now brought forward for confirmation or rejection, ac- cording to the result of the voting of the non-resident members, he would read the proposals seriatim, and put them separately. ’ The first was—That in Rule 13 the words, ‘‘ nor shall his name be entered on the member roll” be inserted after the “ words entitled of the votes taken being in favour of the alteration. fi Secondly.—That the following words be added at the end of Rule 43, “two months from the date of issuing the voting papers being allowed for that purpose.” . This was put to the mecting and carried. 188 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ June, Thirdly, —That the following words be added at the end of Rule 64—“ But no case which involves a change of the rules of the So- ciety, shall be declared urgent under this rule.” This was also declared to be carried. The Special Meeting was then dissolved. A Monthly General Meeting of the Society, was then held. The President, in the chair. The Minutes of the Special Meeting of the 6th May, 1868, were then read,—when it was proposed by Mr. H. F. Blanford and seconded ‘by Mr. H. Locke, “ That the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the 6th May, being incorrect in many particulars, be referred to the Council for revision and correction, and re-submission to the Society.” A show of hands being called for, this motion was declared lost. Mr. Blanford then demanded a scrutiny and this being held, the motion was again declared to be lost. It was then proposed by €. D. Field, Esg., and seconded by Colonel J. EH. Gastrell, ‘“ That in accordance with the spirit of Rule 60, any inaccuracy of which the present meeting are satisfied, be now corrected.” | This was put to the Meeting and carried. The President then read the Minutes again im detail, when the following corrections were agreed to, Page 128, line 12,* insert the words, ‘Senior Vice-President’ after the Hon’ble J. B. Phear. Page 124, line 9,—omit the paragraph commencing, ‘ A question’ | and terminating with, ‘to be seconded.’ g Page 125, line 17, substitute Mr. Scott, for Dr. Waldie. 25, for, This was seconded by Dr. Colles, and was put to the meeting, read— This was put to the meeting. | 7 5» 27,omit the words, “in consequence of this resolution.” These alterations having been agreed to seriatim, the minutes were then confirmed, with these corrections. The minutes of the last Ordinary General Meeting were then read and confirmed, * These numbers refer to the printed copy of the Proceedings already circu lated to the members. 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. 139 I. The following presentations were announced :— 1. From the Commissioner of the Central Provinces, Two Copies of Report of the Ethnological Committee on papers laid before them and upon examination of specimens of Aboriginal tribes brought to the Jubbulpore Exhibition of 1866-67. 2. From Dr. F. Steindachner through Dr. F. Stolicaka, a copy of “ Ichthyologischer Bericht iiber eine nach Spanien und Portugal un- ternommene Reise.” 3. From Colonel W. H. Sykes, a copy of Analysis of the Report upon the state of the Empire of France presented to the Senate and Legislative body, February, 1867. 4. From Major J. F. Tennant, a copy of a Memorandum on pre- : parations for observing the Total Hclipse of the Sun on August 18th, 1868. II. The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting were ballotted for and elected as ordinary members :— 7 7 & K. Buck, Esq., C. 8., Cawnpore. Babu Yatindramohana Thakura, H. Reinhold, Esq. Dr. C. R. Francis (re-election.) III. The following are candidates for ballot at the July meeting :— Dr. G. W. Leitner, proposed by Mr. Grote and seconded by _ Mr. Blanford. Lieutenant ©. F. T. Marshall, Lahore, proposed by Mr. Grote and seconded by Babu Rajendralala Mitra. W. Smith, Esq., OC. H., proposed by Dr. T. Oldham and seconded ™ Mr. H. Leonard. BR. H. Renny, Esq., Assistant Commissioner, Chittagong Hill Tracts, proposed by Captain T. H. Lewin, seconded by Babu R. Mitra. The Rev. James Roberts, Jr. Chaplain of the Church of Scotland, a proposed by Mr. Sime, seconded by Mr. H. F. Blanford. IV. Letters from the following, intimating their desire to withdraw "from the Society, were recorded :— Captain F. S. Staunton, R. EH, J. H. Branson, Esq. A. P. Macdonell, Hsq. 140 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ June, Vv. Mr. D. Waldie, brought forward the following motion, notice of which was given at the last meeting :— ‘That Rule 51 be made to read as follows :—The Council for the time being shall before the General Meeting of December, cause to be prepared a sufficient number of printed balloting lists, according to the form in the appendix, which shall contain the names of those persons whom they recommend to be appointed members of Council and office-bearers for the year ensuing, with blank columns in which to place other names. These balloting lists shall be laid before the members at the December Meeting.” Mr. Waldie said—The change consisted, as would readily be seen, in simply providing that the balloting lists should be laid before the members at the monthly meeting in December preceding the annual meeting in January, instead of on the evening of election itself. The apparent object of the rules was that the Council should recommend who should constitute the Council and Office-bearers for the ensuing year, but that the Society at their meeting should elect whom they thought fit, and all that was proposed was that the means should be adapted to carrying this into effect. He (Mr. W.) did not think that the means hitherto employed, so far as he had seen, were adapted to secure this. The Society had no previous knowledge of the names of those who were to be proposed for the new Council ; these were submitted to the members at the meeting with, no doubt, the power to alter them, but they had no opportunity of exchanging opinions as to any desirable alteration; and though occasional altera- tions were made, from the absence of any power of consultation or combination there was the smallest probable chance of any of them being effectual, and as a matter of fact practically the old Council elected the new one. So far as he was himself concerned, he had hitherto felt not the slightest objection to it, as on all occasions he had approved of the lists in their entirety, but he could easily con- ceive that he might on some future occasion wish to insert some name or names that were not in the Council’s list, and probably other members might wish the same: indeed, the alterations occasionally made shewed that such was the case. Beside, it ought to be remem- bered that silence was not always satisfaction: not very long ago a member had expressed dissatisfaction with the small attention pai 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 141 to the opinion of the mofussil members, and an alteration had been made in the rules in consequence. If the proposal was adopted, it would be necessary to alter Law 85, so as to be in accordance with it. It might also be worthy of con- sideration whether Law 47 might not be modified. Mr. W. farther observed that, though not much acquainted with the working of such Societies, he knew of at least one scientific So- ciety in London which sent the balloting lists by post to their country members. If such a change as this was contemplated, some other rules might require attention, such as 32 and 33. But he merely threw out this as a suggestion for the consideration of the Council. The motion was referred to the Council for report. VI. The Council reported that on a recommendation of the Finance and the Philological Committees, they have allotted Rs. 3,000 to the publication of an English Translation of the Ain-i-Akbari, by Mr. Blochmann, in the Bibliotheca Indica. _ Also, that they have elected F. Stoliczka, Hsq., Ph. D. a mem- ber of their body and Natural History Secretary in place of Dr. J. A. P. Colles, who has resigned both his seat in the Council and his Nat. Hist. Secretary-ship, as he is leaving Calcutta; subject to the ‘confirmation of the Society at the monthly meeting of July. Also, that they have agreed to receive and take charge of the instruments formerly used by Col. Lambton in the early operations of the Great Trigonometrical Survey, proposed by the Officiating Surveyor General to be deposited in the Society’s rooms. _ The President brought tothe notice of the Society that H. F. Blanford, Hsq., having resigned his Secretary-ship of the Society ‘at the last Special General Meeting, he had requested Babu ‘Raéjendralala Mitra to carry on the current duties, for the present. _ VIL. The President then explained to the Meeting that subsequently to the meeting of the Council, Maulavi Abdul Latif Khan Bahadur had called on him, and explained to him that there were at present in Calcutta for a short time several of the Mussulman inhabitants of Yunan, the Panthays ; that one of these appeared a man of some learning from whom he had obtained a brief history of the race in ‘Arabic, which he had translated, and which he was very desirous of laying before the Society, while these Panthay gentlemen were here 142 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ June, and could attend, and afford any further information that might be sought. As these gentlemen could not be present at the next Ordinary Meeting, he had, as authorized by the rules of the Society, added the Maulavi’s paper to the list for this evening, but as they had already been sitting for some time, he would ask the meeting to allow this paper to be read before the others. This was agreed to, Maulavi Abdul Latif then read ‘‘ Notes on an Arabic history of the Pantuays, with translation,” From the earliest times China has excited the keenest vecioaliy of the outer world, Its undoubted antiquity, its wealth, the vastness — of its population, its arts and civilization, its social peculiarities, — above all its jealousy of the stranger, attracted to it travellers from | the most distant countries; and the accounts which they published, meagre and unsatisfactory as they necessarily were, were still of a as follows. character to keep up the interest in the strange land. The events — of late years, and the anticipations of a no distant future, have given” | our interest in Western and Central Asia, a more direct and even — personal character. Our knowledge, however, of the regions has not proportionately increased. It is fortunate that the ardour of our scientific men, our desire to find new outlets for commerce, and our increased political circumspection, are at work to supply the want. We have recently sent an expedition with commercial and scientific objects to explore the overland route to China, and are anxiously awaiting the issue. Not long ago, the world was startled by the chance intelligence that there was a numerous Mahomedan popula tion living for centuries in China, and that for some reason or other, they had thrown off the Chinese yoke. Great curiosity was awaken ed by the information, but beyond the half authenticated original rumour, there were no adequate means of satisfying this curiosity. Colonel A. Fytche, the Chief Commissioner of British Burmah, who gave, at our December meeting, almost the first account of these interesting China Mussulmans, dwelt much on the extreme difficulty of obtaining any information regarding them, and gave abundant warning for receiving his account with considerable allowances. Happily, a few months after, arrived at Calcutta, by way of Burmah, on their way to Mecca, a dozen pilgrims from among these China 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 143 ~Mahomedans. Some information of their country, more especially in regard to routes, obtained after much difficulty of communication with them, has already been published in the ‘ Daily News’ paper of the 25th ultimo. [am happy to be able to add some more to the stock, -and to introduce a couple of our distant and interesting visitors to this meeting, for ocular observation and personal enquiry as to Bany facts. From what I could learn, Arabic learning, as befits a Mahomedan country, flourishes well in Mussulman China, much ; encouragement being given to its cultivation, by means of numerous ‘colleges, and by rewards to learned men for studying the mass of Arabic literature, which has found its way there, . One of our visitors, named Syuwd Abdool Wudood, appears to be a learned man, and as he is not at all disinclined to impart informa- tion, his presence in Calcutta, would have been really valuable, had “it not been for his almost unintelligible pronunciation of Arabic. He writes, however, Arabic fluently and well, and he has in his pos- " session an account in Arabic of the Mahomedans in China, giving a brief narrative of the political events that have taken place in ; unnan during the last thirteen years. It is not such an account as will F ‘8: tisfy all the demands of European enquiry, but for an oriental docu- ment, it is singularly clear. What gaps there are may be filled up by fresh questioning. I have made a copy of the account, which [ beg to present to the Society, and I will now read a translation ‘In the year 1254 Hegira (1839 of the Christian era) a distur- “bance took place in a district of the Province of Yunnan; the par- ‘ticulars of which are, that the Infidels burnt down several villages of the Mahomedans to ashes and massacred their inhabitants, killing Mahomedans, men and women, to the number of 2000 or more. The survivors preferred their complaints before the higher local av thorities, but no one paid even the slightest attention to them, ‘and on the contrary they charged these very persons with being | blameable and guilty. They then repaired to Pekin, and laid their evances before His Majesty the Emperor of China—who deputed e of the higher Officers of the Court to Yunnan, in order to do tice. When this Officer arrived there, he perverted the royal com- | Mands, and proceeded to act just as he was instructed by his prede- 144 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | [Junn, © cessors,—insomuch that he compelled the Mahomedans to sell off — their lands, houses and cultivations, to the Infidels at low prices. After this, the oppression of the Infidels towards the Mahomedans by word and deed increased considerably, and in some districts the old animosity gradually revived and quarrels arose. When the Infidels had the better of the Mahomedans in the fight, the autho- rities became dumb and blind; but when the Mahomedans defeated the Infidels, the Officials espoused the cause of the Infidels. For some years, matters continued thus,’ . q ‘In 1271 Hegira (1854 of the Christian era) a hard struggle ensued throughout Yunnan. It arose thus :—The Infidel Officials gave secret orders to all their co-religionists to combine, and on a certain appointed day, to put all the Mahomedans to the sword; the reason for secrecy being, that the Mahomedans might not be warned to combine in self-defence. The infidels made their party strong | and firm ; and concocted schemes of fraud and treachery, and signs — of evil began to manifest themselves. When we Mahomedans saw : such a state of things, and compared our numerical weakness with — the vast number of the Infidels, we were overwhelmed with grief and anxiety. We regarded the fact, as a plague without remedy, a danger from which there was no escape; and we thought that there was no refuge but in God, and that we had no means left, save to implore the mercy of God, and pray for aid from Him. We then recited the holy text: “O God! Thou art our Lord, grant us victory over the nation of infidels.” ’ 7 ‘Some of the Infidels prematurely betrayed their plot by their | eagerness, for without waiting for the appointed day, they began im some of the districts, to raise discord and contention. The Mahe medans of those parts of the Province sought help from their brethren of the entire Province. They all united together and assisted on | another. We, the followers of Islam, moved in large bodies from one place to another, and commenced patiently attacking the Infidels. We willingly placed ourselves in the most imminent dangers, repeat-| ing the holy sentence: “‘O God! give us all patience and firmness and fix our feet, and help us to defeat this nation of infidels.” ’ ‘After all those distresses, God granted us victory and ease. We killed some of the Infidel officials in battle, Villagers. fell without 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 145 number, mostly in battle, and others in the streets, while many were burnt and drowned. Such as escaped the wholesale massacre, leaving their families to their fate, fled to other places, and there settled themselves. Some of the Infidels of certain districts, finding their own party dispersed, and their string of union broken, were com- pelled to surrender, and made submission. We granted their prayer. Some of these refugees even followed us in battle and joined us in destroying the enemies. The remaining chiefs having collected a large number of Infidels from different districts and cities, managed their affairs and guarded the different posts as strongly as possible. After this many hard battles were fought between ourselves and the Infidels. The current of bloodshed was moving to and fro; and disturbances spread throughout the Province from east to west. _ The country near and far was ruined and destroyed. In some battles, we sustained manifest defeats and routs, and in others we were crowned with victory and delight. We captured immense booty, and lofty edifices came into our possession. Thus we alternately shared defeat and victory, until by the grace of God, and our num- berless victories, we took possession of large cities and many palaces and buildings. And God made the Infidel inhabitants to be our subjects and dependents, all of them submitting to the decree of fate. __At the instigation of the Officials, the enemies again raised tumults from their own houses. For instance, up to the present time, we go _ on warring with them, and peace has not yet been restored, and the fire of discord still burns.’ ‘ As for our Province of Yunnan, it has been divided into two parts, The eastern Division is called Hedon. Its capital city is Sinchan. Here the Mahomedans have for their chief, a man of the name of _Myan-foon. Ot the inhabitants of the last, some are Mahomedans ‘and some Infidels ; - but the latter pay allegiance to the Mahomedans.’ , * The other vit, of the Province lies on the west. Its name is inze, and its capital city Zul. Here also the Mahomedans have : % elected a chief, whose name is Soleiman Ibn-i-Abdoor Ruhman, who has established Islamism, by building mosques’ and schools and col- ‘leges, and assisting and honouring learned men. The inhabitants of the west are mostly Mahomedans, and few Infidels, but they are ‘dependents of the Mahomedans. He has appointed several Officers 146 ‘Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Jung, in each city, one entrusted with ecclesiastical affairs, another in charge of the executive, and a third at the head of the army. It is very near when he may get or assume the title of Sultan. ‘As for the chief of the east, AZyan-foon, he was persuaded and tempted by the chiefs of the Infidels, with the promise held out to him, that in case he should separate himself from the Mahomedans and come over to their side, great honors would be conferred on him by their Emperor, and the whole Province of Yunnan would be given to him. The poor fellow was puffed up with vanity by their allurements; and what was the object of their advice, but to sow discord among the followers of Islam? A battle at last took place between Jfyan-foon and Syud Soleoman Ibn-i-Abdoor Ruhman ; but through the mediation of one Hajee Yoosuff, a truce was concluded between them, by the division of the whole of the Province in two equal shares. After three years, at the instigation of the chiefs of the infidels, Myan-foon broke the truce and became neglectful of the — rights of Islam. Hajee Yoosuf also was unable to prevent him from breaking his promise. Until at last Mfyan-/oon collected a large army composed of the Mahomedans and Infidels, the number of which we do not know. Syud Soleiman Ibn-1-Abdoor Ruhman also brought to order his victorious army, and despatched them to be posted in all the — passes for opposing the troops of Myan-foon. When the two armies met, God gave us (the followers of Syud Soletman Ibn-i-Abdoor Ruhman) victory over our enemies, and the troops of Myan-foon were — totally routed in the following ten different places: 1, Nanshan; 2, Wowkhanahen; 38, Mama Kawan; 4, Kham | Nan; 5, Youghan; 6, Nahbeir; 7, Dayau; 8, Din Yoon; 9, Zur Dujlah; 10, Yoonbah. ‘ And we took the following towns from them also :— 1, Din Yoon; 2, Daya; 3, Loofon; 4, Maka; besides four saline wells, whose names are as follow :—1, White well; 2, Sky-colored well; 3, Black well; 4, Fortunate well. Still both parties are fighting with one another. | ‘ Besides the above, in the Provinces of Shans and Kansoo, God has _ given victory to the Mahomedans over the Infidels; and the Mahom_ — edans there have also taken forcibly all the cities. This piece of : news is true ; as a Mahomedan inhabitant of Yunnan, after remaining — 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 147 for 13 years in Shans, has now returned home. Between our country (Yunnan) and Shans, the distance is that of 70 stages. — ‘A large number of the Christians of France and England have come to China and to Pekin, and to all the Provinces, and some of them have reached the Capital of the the Hastern Division of Yunnan. There they have erected churches and hung up therein the likenesses of Jesus Christ, the son of Mary. regan have done likewise in many other Provinces too,’ Maulavi Abdul Lutif begged also to present to the Society a manuscript sheet written in Arabic by the said Syud Abdool Wadood of Yunnan, which he had the goodness to present to him. The archaic peculiarity of the caligraphy will, he believed, be remarked. Several members having made different enquiries regarding the ‘Panthay country from the Panthay gentlemen who were present, by the aid of Maulavi Abdul Latif; thanks were passed to the Maulavi for this interesting account. Mr. Blanford said that the Society would doubtless be piteceglend to know that information had that day been received from Dr. John Anderson on the Yunan expedition. The expedition had met with “many obstructions to its progress, and had consequently experienced much delay, but at the date of Dr. Anderson’s letter (28th April) all serious obstacles appeared to have been overcome, and the _ Panthays, who appeared to be most anxious to receive the expedition, had just cleared away one of a formidable character by defeating and "driving away from Mawpoo the Chinese robber chief Leeseetai who “is stated to have commanded a body of 5000 men, and to have been instigated by certain of the Chinese to destroy the expeditionary party. The road was therefore open to Momein, and the Panthays have sent aircular notices to the chiefs on the road to give the expedition every - assistance in their power. Dr. Anderson’s letter had been brought by Captain Williams and Mr. Stewart who had returned to Mandelay. Dr. Anderson expected to be back in Calcutta about August. _ The following papers, reading of which was postponed at the last Meeting, were read by the President :— - Notes on the Crosses and Cromlechs of Chindwara District, by J. Mulheran, Esq., in a letter to Col. J. T. Walker, R. E. 148 “Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Junz, Report by the Commissioner of Coorg on the Cromlechs of that Province. vn Mr. Mulheran writes,—I have just received your letter of the 17th ultimo, and hasten to mention that Colonel Thuillier wrote to me upon the same subject, and that I at once replied to his letter and forwarded the photographs referred to by Mr. Bayley. Ialso furnished such in- formation as it was in my power to afford, but avoided the question raised at home by Mr. Marcus Keane, M. R. 1. A., regarding the whole of these ancient remains, crosses included, being Bhuddist in origin. As re- gards the Cromlechs themselves, I believe Mr. Keane to be perfectly correct, the majority of the massive stone temples and other ancient structures found within a radius of 200 miles of the crosses, being similar to the Bhuddist Thakurdwaras of the snowy range, as regards _ the extreme grossness of the subjects represented. As regards the | crosses being also Bhuddist in origin, Mr. Keane must be mistaken, — as no instance can be cited either in India or at home, or indeed in any part of the world of a memorial cross ever having been erected, except as a symbol of the Christian faith. Apart from this, the whole of the Katapur crosses, as you will see from the enclosed photo- graphs, are of the Latin form.* As regards the people by whom these crosses were erected, the ques- tion is one of great difficulty, the people, living in the vicinity, being utterly ignorant of the symbol itself, and incapable of affording even traditionary information. From what I have myself seen of the neighbourhood of Katapur and the open glades in the forest to the west, I have not the slightest doubt that, at some former period, the whole of these cleared portions of the forest were extensively culti- vated by Teligus, or some other race far more civilized than the present race of Gonds. Indeed, the large tank a few miles west of Katapur, which irrigates extensive fields of rice, is one proof of this, as are also other large tanks east, west, and north of Katapur, the skill and labour evinced in which would do credit to Engineers of the present day. If, therefore, it can be shown that there are reasons for believing that a considerable portion of the country now overrun with forest, was formerly cultivated by a race differing from the Gonds, and that the massive stone temples in all stages of decay were erected by them, there * See Proc. April, 1868, p. 116, 18€8.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 149 will be little difficulty in giving the same people credit for the ability that was required to quarry stones 15 tons in weight, and to place them in their present position. - Ifthe Cromlechs could be shown to be in any way connected with the Himarpanti temples in their neighbourhood, the question of origin might be readily settled. That the Bhuddists are exceedingly particular: in preserving memorials of their dead, will be admitted by all who have seen the extraordinary number of slabs collected in some of the valleys of the snowy range, and the care evinced in covering each of these slabs with characters expressive of the virtues and hopes of the departed. Occasionally these collections of stone memorials are 120 feet and upwards in length, 64 broad, and from 4+to 5 feet in height, or nearly 4,000 cubic feet in extent. In the slabs so collected—and I examined a great number—I did not find a single one upon which the characters cut were not clearly traceable. Several were 2 feet in superficial area, and entirely covered with writing. The people assured me that the whole of these piles of slabs consisted of written memorials of the dead, and that they were brought from all parts of the country. In none of the Cromlechs that I have seen, have I been able to discover traces of any writing, however faint. What, however, struck me as peculiar both in the Cromlechs of the Godavery, and in the collections of the snowy range, was the extraordinary care taken by the people in massing these memorials é in particular places. The stone temples south, west, and north of the Cromlechs at Hydrabad and on the ridges adjoining the Godavery, are unmistakeably Bhuddist, as are also the Hllora and Adjanta Caves. The enclosed* photographs : of the great Dragon of the modern Jain temple at Karinjah, is similar in form to those noticeable in the caves and Himarpanti temples of the Nizam’s country. The peculiar feature in all is the eye, which is - represented as capable of elongation. I may add that [have seen pain- ‘ tings on silk (native offerings for temples) brought from Llasa in several of which I noticed the same Dragon, but with longer horns. The Bhuddist figures, with the palms resting upon the turned-up soles of the feet, are unmistakeable and are sufficient in the absence of all other signs to indicate the source of most of the old stone structures * (Not enclosed, nor yet received ; J. T. W.) 150 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [J unz, scattered over the Nizam’s country. I have, therefore, no hesitation in expressing my belief that the whole of these temples are Bhuddist in origin, although some have been converted into mosques, and others into Hindoo temples. The one converted into a mosque at Dowlatabad, has a large black slab covered with characters in Pelvz, in excellent preservation, buried in the wall which, if translated, would, no doubt, throw some light upon a subject that at present is doubtful. T enclose a few photographs to afford an idea of some of the stone tem- ples to which I refer. Also photographs of the ruins of two monasteries near Sinar and Maiker. A larger camera, with good definition, would have given a clearer idea of these massive structures, as well as of the peculiarities of the carvings in stone of the principal figures. As regards the crosses found at Katapur, there can be no doubt that they are more puzzling than the Cromlechs themselves. In noticing them, however, L may observe that, as the Godavery below Badrachul- lam has always been navigable at certain seasons of the year for boats of a particular size, there has always been some communication with the Sox coast. If, therefore, there be any foundation for the belief that St. Thomas visited the Mount at Madras, it is reasonable to infer that either that apostle or some of his disciples visited the sea coast near Coco- nada, and made converts to the Christian faith, either at that place — or higher up the Godavery. If this could be shewn to be true, © no difficulty would be experienced in explaining the origin of the crosses, however strangely situated, it being impossible to believe — that heathens would now think of erecting massive stone crosses of the Latin form either as memorials of the dead, or of their own faith. That the converts, if any, were few in number and confined to one locality, may be inferred from the fact that although Cromlechs are _ found in great abundance on the ridges adjoining the Godavery,as well as upon the undulating land near Hydrabad, crosses of the form to which I have referred, are only found at Katapur and Malin, afew miles west of the Godavery. My own belief is that, ifthe crosses are _ not memorials of the faith of Bhuddist converts, they are memorials — | of the faith of Christian labourers of the early ages of Christianity, 4 or of the Roman Catholic Church at Goa, who died during their — ministration on the banks of the Godavery. -_ 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 151 The crosses, as you will see from the photographs enclosed,” are all of one piece of stone, and from 10 to 11 feet in length, and indicate as | clearly as such laborious memorials can indicate, the strong faith of __ those who erected them. - The above, added to the remarks made in my letter to Col. Thuillier, embrace all the information it occurs to me to afford regarding the subject to which you refer. Should either you, however, or Mr. Z Bayley, consider more detailed information upon any particular ques- _ tion desirable, I will gladly furnish the same on hearing from you. 8th March, 1868. Col. Walker in his note, says:— * a * The fact that the crosses are only to be met with in one locality, while the Cromlechs are found in great abundance in several parts of the Hydrabad districts, as well as in other parts of India, e. g. Chunar, would seem to be fatal to the hypothesis that the crosses and ' Cromlechs ‘ belonged to the same people.’ The proximity of the Crom- _ lechs to the sites of extensive Bhuddist ruins, and their similarity Fe to the Bhuddist Thakurdwaras of the snowy range, makes it pro- " bable that they are of Bhuddist origin. But the crosses may well be _ the relics of a small community of Christian converts and missionaries, | whose annals have not been inscribed on any page of history; this _ is much more probable than that they can be of Bhuddist origin. ‘ As for the hypothesis that the Cromlechs are the work of ‘a stone implement using race, * I confess to feeling very doubtful at to whether such implements could have sufficed for the construction of such _works. * “ Dehra Doon, 30th March, 1868. ~ On the Cromlechs in Coorg. Sir R. Temple, Foreign Secretary to Go- vernment of India under date 9th April, forwards this correspondence by Biecction of His Excellency the Governor-General in Council, accom- ‘pa anied by three drawings and some lithographs of the remains. The bs M etter from the Superintendent of Coorg, Capt. R.A. Cole, dated | Ihave the honor to report the discovery of a large number of erkara, 10th March 1868, says. * See Plate 1, fig. 1, p. 116, Cromlechs or Cairns on some bané or grass lands about a mile to the west of the town of Veerajpett in South Coorg. The discovery was 152 ' Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ June, : made by my Assistant, Lieutenant J. S. F. Mackenzie, in January last, in the following manner :—A quantity of stones was required for certain bridges. and other works in Veerajenderpett, and one of the native , merchants offered to get the stones if Mr. Mackenzie would allow him, — to remove them from the dané in question. Mr. Mackenzie inspected — the locality and found the remains of a great number of Cromlechs, — the stones of which had evidently been split up and removed at — different periods by the Wuddars, a tribe of stone-hewers. The dané in | question is much grown over with low brush wood; and on pushing — further on, Mr. Mackenzie hit upon a fine large double Cromlech. On communicating this most interesting archeological discovery to me, I at once forbad the removal of any more stones from the locality, and directed the shrubwood and earth around the Cromlech — to be removed, so as to lay bare the whole structure to its base. Lieutenant W. Freeth, the Assistant Superintendent of the Re- venue Survey, then kindly undertook to make drawings and plans of this double Cromlech and of two others, and I have now the pleasure of forwarding, for submission to His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, three colored drawings* of these Crom- lechs, as also 20 copies of plans of the same lithographed at the Merkara Sudder Jail Press from drawings by Mr. Freeth. The double Cromlech, (Plate 2.) is formed by six large (unhewn) stones, surmounted by one large flat stone, 13 feet long, by 9 feet 9 inches broad, and about 7 or 8 inches thick. This top stone had been apparently not long ago chiselled and split open right across the centre from each side, so as to form four blocks, but most fortunately had not been removed, except a small piece at the back and to the left, looking at the Cromlechs. The back is also formed by one large - slab, as also each side. The front slabs are smaller and divided by the large centre slab, which forms the enclosure into two compartments. These front stones have each a peculiar aperture of an irregular ; segmental form, about 1 foot 11 inches by 1 foot 8 inches, at the to ) ; and immediately below the superincumbent stone. The stones at these apertures are sharp on the inside, and present a bevilled appearance * We have given a reduced copy of the most important of these, Ep. eal tess Ss ae GCROM LECH NEAR VIRAYJVENDE Pee rk = Coo RG. Photozincographed at the Surveyor General’s Office, Calcutta. June 1863. ~~ oe 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 153 outside. The inner rim is so sharp as to lead to the conclusion that these apertures could not have been used for ingress and egress. The centre stone projects to the front 2 feet 8 inches, and the top flag projects over the left compartment to such an extent as to afford shelter like a verandah.- This was doubtless accidental, but it is a curious fact that this shelter is so ‘afforded on.the side, away from exposure to the monsoons which now prevail. The interior measurements of the compartments. are also given in the plans by which it will be seen that each compartment was about 7 feet long, 3 feet 9 inches broad, and 4 feet high. Hach compartment was flagged by a large stone in each. These compartments were nearly full of earth, but nothing was found in them. Dr. Shortt of Madras, who has opened many cairns on the Nilgiris and other parts of the Madras Presidency, informed me that he had never seen or heard ofa double Cromlech of this description. This would add to the value of the present discovery. — | There is also a single Cromlech similarly constructed of large unhewn and uncemented slabs of granite. It is 6 feet 8 inches long, by 44 feet broad, and 4 feet high, interior measurement. The top stone had been broken and partly removed, and the stem of a very old tree was found growing out of it ; nothing was found in this either. A third one igs a still smaller Cromlech found on another bané about 14 mile from the others. On this bané are to be found many large tumuli, which apparently contain many of these Cromlechs. The front stone of this small Cromlech was just visible at the end of one of these tumuli, and I caused the earth above and around it to be cleared away, and the top stone was raised and made to slip over on one side. It was full of earth in which we found pieces of earthen pots and small pieces of charcoal. At the end of another tumulus, another Cromlech was dug out, but we found the top stone had been removed, apparently very many _ years ago. In this also were found fragments of earthen vessels and pieces of charcoal, and also a small piece of a bangle. This bangle is much thicker than those in use in the present day, and the devices on it are in pale yellow and somewhat similar in form to those generally to be found on the modern imitation Etruscan vases, goglets, &. I showed this bangle to all the native merchants at Veerajpett, who 154 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. { June, declared that they had never seen one of such a description before. This bangle and fragments of earthen vessels were sent in to the Commissioner, and are now in the museum at Bangalore, but I would beg to suggest that they should be sent on to the Government with this report. The bangle is evidently of no modern date; but as the top stone of this Cromlech had been removed, and Wuddars had evidently been at work in the locality during the past 50 to 100 years, it is possible that the bangle had once belonged to some dusky beauty of that tribe. It was found also only about a foot and a half below the surface of the mound and just within the stone cist. I have failed to discover any of those concentric rows of upright stones which have generally been found with such Cromlechs in cairns elsewhere, but the fact of the Wuddars having been so long at work in these localities would account for the disappearance of these stones which were probably first discovered and removed. It is worthy of note that these structures all face east and west. Very few of these Cromlechs would appear to have had the segmental apertures found in the double Cromlech, and in fact most of those now visible are much smaller and would appear to be more like those short stone cists containing cinerary urns, which have generally been found in the sepulchral mounds both in Asia and in Europe, and even in Central America. As remarked before by me, these banés abound with such tumuli, some of which have evidently not been touched. It is in such alone that we may expect to find still more interesting relics of this almost unknown past period of the history of the world and of — our species, and I would earnestly request permission to push on these — excavations. Some of these tumuli would appear to run parallel with 4 each other,so that, when uncovered, these stone chambers would present the appearance of streets. The discovery of pieces of charcoal and fragments of apparently cinerary urns, would tend to show that the ~ conclusions drawn by modern archeologists were correct, viz. that _ these stone chambers were only used as sepulchral monuments. But * my assistant, Mr. Mackenzie, has suggested that it is an extraordinary _ fact that, when such durable and lasting monuments to the dead are to ‘ be found, no remains of the dwellings of these ancient Dravidian — races are visible in the same localities so as to throw still greater light on the ethnical records of the past. Is it possible that these larger 1868. ] | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 155 Cromlechs forming regular well-closed chambers, unlike those found elsewhere, were the dwellings, and the smaller stone cists and tumuli the sepulchral monuments of these almost hypothetical races? In conclusion I beg to state that similar Cromlechs and mono- liths are said to exist in Kiggutnad in South Coorg, and also near Fraserpett in Hast Coorg, on the borders of Mysore, regarding which I would propose to submit a separate report hereafter. Soliciting the Commissioner’s sanction to an expenditure of 2 or 300 Rs. in making further excavations, I have &e. The correspondence was closed by a letter from Sir R. Temple, Foreign Secretary to Government of India, to the Commissioner of Coorg, dated 9th April, stating :— I am directed by the Governor-General in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 11th ultimo, No. 59, with an enclosure from the Superintendent of Coorg, reporting the discovery by Lieutenant J. S. F. Mackenzie of a number of Cromlechs or sepulchral monuments in the vicinity of Veerajpett, in South Coorg, and forwarding three drawings executed by Lieutenant W. Freeth, of a large double Cromlech and two single ones of a smaller size, together with lithographed copies and plans. 2. His Excellency in Council desires that the thanks of the Government of India may be conveyed to Captain R. A. Cole and to the officers who have assisted him, for the interesting information contained in his letter to your address, and for the drawings which accompanied it. 3. The Governor-General in Council requests that the necessary mea- : sures may be taken for the conservation of these archzological remains, and that memoirs may be prepared in accordance with the instruc- _ tions laid down in the Circular of the 14th February last, issued by _ the Home Department. | _ 4, As regards the proposal of Captain Cole to carry out further excavations, the Financial Department will be requested to place a sum of Rs. 300 at the disposal of that officer for the work in question. The reading of the following was deferred till next Meeting :—~ Letters from Mr. W. T. Blanford from Abyssinia. On the Anatomy of Sagartia Schilleriana and Membranipora Bengalensis, by F. Stoliczka, Esq. 156 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jone, VIII. The receipt of the following communication was announced :— 1. Continuation of correspondence regarding the two es lads under the charge of Captain T. C. Anderson. The meeting then adjourned. LIsBRary. The following additions were made to the Library since the meeting held in April last. Presentations. ** Names of Donors in Capitals. Bulletin de la Société de Géographie, Février, Mars, 1868.—Tur GrogRAPHICAL Socrety oF Paris. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Vol. XVI. Nos. 99, 100.—Tus Socirry. | Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Vol. V. P. 1, 2.—Tue INst1ITUTION. Journal of the Statistical Society of London, Vol. XXX. P. 1.— Tux Society. Proceedings of the International Sanitary Conference, 1866.—Tux GovERNMENT oF BEN@AL. | : : Mittheilungen der Kaiserlich-Ko6niglichen Geographischen Ges- — sellschaft, IX. Jahrgang 1865.—Tue Imprerta, GuoerapuicaL So- CIETY oF VIENNA. Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Koniglichen Geologischen Reichs- anstalt, Jahrgang 1867, Nos. 1—18.—Tse Impsrian GuoLoerican InstitutTE, VIENNA. Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-Kéniglichen Geologischen Reichsans-: talt 1867, Nos. 1-4.—Tux Ivpreriat Geotoaicat Institute, VIENNA. Die Fossilen Mollusken des Tertizer-Beckens von Wien, von Dr. M. Hoérnes; Band II., Nos. 7,8.—Tue Impzriat Gronogicat Institute, VIENNA. . Selections from the Records of the Government of the Punjab, Public Works Department, No. 1.—THe Government or Pounsas. The Progress Report of Forest Administration in the Province of Oudh, 1866-67, by F. Read, Esq.—Tuz Government or tur N. W. — PROVINCES. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 157 Sitzungsberichte der Kénigl. Bayer. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Minchen 1867, I Heft IV.—I Hurr IL :—K. payer. AKADEMIE DER Wissenscuarten zu Muncuen. Progress Report. of Forest Administration of Mysore, 1866-67.— Tue Government or Inpra. Progress Report of Forest Administration in British Burmah, 1866-67, by H. Leeds, Hsq.—Tue Government or Ivor. The Journal of the Chemical Society, for January, February and March, 1868.—Tue Soctsety. * Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Kéniglichen Zoologisch- botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, 1855-1866.—-Zoon. Borantcan Society, VIENNA. : Nachtrige zur Flora von Nieder-Oesterreich von Dr, A. Neilreich.— Dirvo. Contribuzione pella Fauna die Molluschi Dalmati per Spiridione Brussina.—Drrvo. | | Separatabdruck naturwissenschaftlicher Abhandlungen aus den Schriften des Zoologisch-botanischen Vereins in Wien.—Drrvo. Catalogus Systematicus Dipterorum Europae, auctore R. J. Schiner, Dr.—Dirto. Monographie der Oestriden von Friedrich Brauer.—Drrvo. _ Personen-Orts und Sach-Register der finf ersten Jahrginge (1851-1860) der Sitzungsberichte und Abhandlungen des Wiener zoologisch botanischen Vereines, zusammengestelt von A. Fr. Grafen -Marschall.—Drrto. Bericht tiber die dsterreichische literatur der Zoologie, Botanik und Palzontologie aus den Jahren 1850-1853.—Drrvo. _ Nachtrage zu Maly’s Enumeratio plantarum phanerogamicarum f inferii austriaci universi von A. Neilreich.—Dzrvo. _ Nouveau syst?me des Blattaires par C. Brunner de Wattenwyl.— _Drrvo. a Purchases. Reise der Oesterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Willerstorf-Urbair: Zoologischer Theil, Zweiter Band, Anneliden. Comptes Rendus, Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12. 158 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. Deutsches Worterbuch von J. Grimm und W. Grimm, Band V. Lief 8. Revue de Zoologie, No. 2, 1868. The Annals and magazine of Natural History, No. 4, 1868. Die Preussische Expedition nach Ost-Asien nach amtlichen Quelen, Botanischer Theil, Die Tange. Die Preussische Expedition nach Ost—Asiennach amtlichen Quellen, Zoologische Abtheilung ; Erster Band, Zweiter Band, Erste Hilfte. Reisen und Forschungen im Amur-Lande in den Jahren 1854-1856 im Auftrage der Kaiserl. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu St. Petersburg, ausgefiihrt und in Verbindung mit mehreren Gelehrten herausgegeben von Dr. Leopold V. Schrenck. Zweiter Band, 3, Lieferung. Anecdota Syriaca, 2 Vols. The Westminster Review, No. LXVI. April 1868. The Quarterly Journal of Science, No. XVIII. April, 1868, Revue des deux Mondes, 15th March, and Ist April, 1868. Hewitson’s Exotic Butterflies, P. 66, 1868. Bohtlingk und Roth’s Sanscrit Worterbuch, 5 Theil. Journal des Savants, March 1868. Revue Archéologique, Tome XVII., No. III. _@ 7 ee PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Juty, 1868. ae ES A meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday, the Ist instant, at 9o’clock Pp. Mm. _ The President, in the chair. The minutes of the last Ordinary General Meeting were read and confirmed, Mr. Blaiford wished to ask by what authority the last numbers of the Proceedings had been issued, and in reply the President observed, the proper course would be for Mr. Blanford to give notice of motion, when the time for such notices arrived. __ The following presentations received since the last meeting were laid ‘on the table :— _ 1. From the author, a copy of “ The Alps and the Himalayas,—a Geological comparison ;” by H. B. Medlicott, Esq. _ 2. From the Superintendent, ricki Park, a specimen of * ® young tiger. _8. From the Rev. J. Long, a copy of “The Calcutta Gazette or ica Advertiser,” for 1785, 1786, 1789 and 1790. ae. A copy of “ Samachaéra Darpana,” 1824, Vol. VIII. %, A copy of * Collection of 50 prints from the Antique gems in the collections of the Right Hon’ble Harl Percy, Hon’ble C. F. Greville and T. M. Slade, Esq.”’ A copy of “ Calendar of Indian State Papers,’ Secret Series, Fort William, 1774-75, and four other pamphlets. 4. From Muhammad Hyét through Mr. A. Grote, a copy of : “ Hyat i Afghani,” 160 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Juny, 5. From C. A. Wilson, Esq., through Mr. A. Grote, a copy of the Annual Report and Transactions of the Adelaide Philosophical Society for the year ending 30th September, 1867. 6. From Dr. G. W. Leitner through Mr. A. Grote, a photograph, containing portraits of Dr. Leitner and several Kéafars, Chilasi, Ghilghiti and Balti natives. The following gentlemen, duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting, were balloted for and elected ordinary members :— Dr. G. W. Leitner. Lieut. C. H. F. Marshall. W. Smith, Hsq., C. E. R. H. Renny, Esq. The Rey. J. Roberts. The following are candidates for ballot at the August meeting :— H. E. Perkins, Esq., C. 8., Hoshiyarpur, proposed by Dr. J. Fayrer, seconded by Babu Réjendraléla Mitra. Pandita Chandramohana Gosvami, proposed by Babu Rajendralala Mitra, seconded by the President. Brat. Captain J. W. Muir, Political Superintendent Sirohi, Rajputana, proposed by Dr. J. Ewart, seconded by Dr. F. Stoliczka. R. T. Hobart, Esq., C. S,, Bustee, proposed by V. Ball, Ksq., seconded by M. H. Ormsby, Esq. A letter from J. M. Scott, Esq., intimating his desire to withdraw — from the Society was recorded. The following report of the Council on Mr. Waldie’s motion, referred to them, was read. ‘That the Council have nominated a Sub-Committee to consider generally the revision of the Bye Laws of the Society by whom the subject of Mr. Waldie’s motion will be discussed as well as others.” The Council reported that they have elected H. Leonard, Hsq., a member of the Finance Committee in place of A. Mackenzie, Hsq., who had resigned ; and that they will summon a special meeting of the Society, to be held on the day of the Ordinary Meeting in September, for the purpose of making the formal transfer of charge of collection to the Trustees of the Indian Museum. The President explained, that as the day of Ordinary Meeting im September would come very early in the month, it would be im- a SEE. = ] 4 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 161 practicable to have the proper circulars issued, so as to allow of the two months’ interval from date of issue now required by the rules, and that the actual date of the Meeting would therefore be fixed by the Council. The President reported that on a motion of the Hon'ble J. B. Phear, the Council have resolved to propose to the Society : That the Society do record their recognition of the eminent services rendered by A. Grote, Esq., to the Society during the long period over which his connexion with the Society has extended. The President in moving the above resolution remarked— “Tt is with much pleasure I bring forward this motion from the Council. It is known to most persons here, although I believe we have no regular announcement of the fact, that Mr. Grote, who has long been connected with their Society, who has justly attained its highest honours, and has been one of its most hard working and _ devoted servants, will leave India, within a few days. It is to me a source of unalloyed pleasure that it should have fallen to my lot to be in the chair this evening, inasmuch as I have thus an opportunity which might not otherwise have occurred, of giving very briefly expres- sion to my feelings, and specially, because it would be idle affectation to attempt to ignore what is well known to very many here, that on ‘numerous questions, affecting the management of the Society, Mr. Grote’s views, and my own, have frequently differed widely. In such differences of opinion, I see nothing to regret—on the contrary, I believe that the success of any Society like ours, must depend on the entire freedom of our discussions, and I might say, on the existence of Se healthy and even decided ‘ opposition party.’ In any climate, under “any circumstances, but more especially under the peculiar conditions of Y our existence here, the inevitable result of the absence of some interest of this kind, is the induction of a state of lethargy, a kind of vegetable - existence, which certainly does not, and certainly did not conduce to progress or success. And therefore I say, I have never regretted that there should have been opposition of view or difference of opinion. But I trust that on no occasion have I forgotten that an opponent is not necessarily anenemy. Our differences of opinion have been only as to the best methods of attaining the same end, the advancement of knowledge, and the improvement of this Society, as one of the great means for 162 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ Jury, that advancement. And here I would yield to none, in the heartiness with which I would desire to recognize the continuous, the active, the devoted services of Mr. Grote to this Society. There has always been . present with him an earnest recollection of it, whenever the slightest opportunity occurred of promoting its welfare, or of extending its influence. . And if on this ground alone, I believe the Society will feel called upon to receive with favour this motion of Council. But in addition to this, those who have known Mr. Grote will agree with me in recognizing his hearty appreciation of the labour of others ; his cordial sympathy with the difficulties and perplexities of enquirers in every direction; the solicitude with which he endeavoured to develope the treasures of Oriental learning, and the encouragement which he ever held out to the educated portion of our Indian brethren to affiliate their talents and energies to the common cause of promoting — knowledge. And inall this, they will see additional claims on the Society, for the recognition of those services which you are now asked to record. Mr. Grote’s connection with this Society dates from 1849, he is of longer standing as a member than most others now resident in this country. And I know that I am only giving expression to the wishes of the Society at large, in saying that we trust he may still for many | years enjoy health and rest in his native land. I feel confident the © Society will accept this recommendation of the Council with an unanimous affirmative. Mr. Blanford said,—A vote of thanks such as that just pro posed, should not be allowed to pass as a mere formality ; and _ ‘although as a vote proposed by the Council, it was not necessary to second it, he would wish, as one who had for some years held an office in the Society as a colleague of Mr. Grote’s, and for a ‘portion of that time under Mr. Grote’s presidency, to record his testimony to the unwearied devotion with which Mr. Grote had always applied himself to advance its interests. This application had extended over many years, and from a period long anterior to Mr. Blanford’s personal connection with the Society, but it was of his ow re experience of Mr. Grote, as the leading member of the Society that he wished to speak. His interest in the labours of the Society had extended to every department, and to all he had devoted himself in a 1868.] -. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 1638 manner that had caused him to be publicly regarded as its representa- tive member. One characteristic of his presidency, and one which was certainly not of least importance, was the uniform courtesy with which he had so long and frequently presided at the Society’s meet- ings. The President had referred to differences of opinion that had prevailed between Mr. Grote and himself, and there certainly had been stormy meetings, in past times, but on such occasions Mr. Grote’s courteous demeanour in the chair to those who most strongly opposed him, tended in no small degree to preserve the Society from dissensions and to assuage excited feelings. He thought that this, not less than other features of Mr. Grote’s presidency, should be recorded among his many claims to the grateful recognition of the Society, and he thought that they would long regret, the departure from India, of one to whom their Society owed so much. The resolution was then passed unanimously. Hon’ble J. B. Phear gave notice that at the next meeting of the Society, he would propose that the Society record a vote of thanks to Mr. Blanford who had lately resigned the General Secretaryship, for his services. The election of Dr. F'. Stoliczka as Natural History Secretary was confirmed. . The Oriental Secretary read the following extract from a letter from Kuméra Chandranatha Raya of Nator, forwarding a facsimile and a sealing wax impression of an inscription found in Rajshahi. _ ‘lhe present object of my writing you is to give cover to a small transcript of an inscription found at the base of a very old and_pecu- liarly-formed stone idol found by myself in the midst of a jungle when out shooting near a village called Hapania, and to request that you will be so kind as to try to decipher it. The character looks very much like old Bengali, not unlike that of the Rajshaye stone of Mr. C. T. Metcalfe, but as I have no idea of the old Bengali character, I am unable to make out the head or tail of it. The in- Scription is very short indeed, and may possibly be the name of the worshipper, but the peculiar formation of the idol, gives some interest ‘to it, as Shiva and Parbutty ave never at the present time publicly worshipped in so Jascivious a form as the idol represents.” 164 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ Juny, The inscription is as follows : © TAIIAS ll? The Secretary stated that the character of the inscription was the 10th century Sanskrit, and its language, Newari. The words were @ wind Sta We which literally means “ not even a ddém,” 7. e. no price whatever was charged for the image on which the inscription is recorded, or, in other words, it was a free gift. It was probably — dedicated by a Nepalese Hindu. The Secretary then exhibited to the meeting a rare tetradrachma of Antimachus Theos. It was in beautiful preservation, and appeared from the execution of the head and the legends to be undoubtedly — | F genuine. A figure of this type of coin was some time ago published — in the ‘‘ Numismatic Chronicle’ Fig. 7, plate iv. Vol. II, N. S., and noticed in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Treland, by Mr. EH. Thomas, but as it was taken from a cast, a figure from an undoubted original will, it is believed, prove interesting to numismatologists. This is in preparation and will be given with a future number of the Proceedings. The coin has been purchased for ~ the Society’s cabinet for Rs. 100. It has on the obverse— ] The head of the king facing the right, filleted, with the legend AIOAOT * * before the face,.and 3QOTHPOS behind it. Reverse. Jupiter in the act of hurling the thunderbolt, with an 4Higis on the left forearm, which is stretched forward. His left leg is ~ advanced to the left, and near it is an eagle with a chaplet of flowers over it. Legend, BASIAEYONTOS ANTIMAXOY @EOY. JMono-— gram ALN. 3 The Secretary also exhibited a coin of Azelisas which had been placed at his disposal for the purpose by Mr, Grote. It was a silver didrachma with the ordinary obverse, but a perfectly new reverse. On the obverse, it has the king mounted on a horse facing the right. Legend, BASIAEQS BASIAEQN METAAOY AZIATSOY, Mo- nogram, 5. | feverse. Female figure to the front standing on a lotus; the left hand rests on the waist, and the right over the stomach, holding some thing ; on each side is a lotus stalk rising as high as the waist anda wre Se ee ee 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 165 bearing an expanded lotus, whereon stands an elephant with its trunk extended over the head of the central figure. Legend in Aryan character, much cut up. As far as legible it may be read Maharajasa rajate rajasa m—. 7 There are two marks like monograms by the stalks, the right one being like A ; and the left 4. The reverse of this coin is evidently founded on the type of the _ Azas’ square coin with the trident obverse, (Ariana Antiqua, plate vii. _ fig. 5, p. 327), which has a female figure standing amidst twining creepers; but the elephants are new, and shew the thorough Buddhist character of the coin. The Secretary then laid on the table a MS. of the poems of Chand, the Rajput bard of Prithviraja of Delhi, which had been lent to him from the Library of His Highness the Maharaja of Benares. He said that about eighteen months ago, the Rev. J. Long brought to the ‘notice of the Society that a complete MS. of Chand’s works had _ been presented to the Library of the Agra College, by His Highness the Maharaja of Jeypur, and an application was thereupon made to _ the Principal of the College by the Society for the loan of it, in order to have it carefully examined by a competent scholar. The loan, how- ever, was declined, and on a subsequent application to His Honor, the -Lieut.-Governor of the North Western Provinces, the MS. was referred _to J. Growse, Esq., a member of the Society, for examination and ‘report. In the mean time intelligence was received of the existence of two MSS. of the work, one in the Library of His Highness the “Bao of Baedlah, and the other in that of the Maharaja of Benares. The last is a royal quarto of 697 pages, having 24 lines tothe page. This would give a little more than 16,000 verses for the whole work. ‘But the MS. did not appear to be complete, as it had no invocation at the beginning, nor the usual introduction, and commenced very abruptly with the entry of Anangapala into Delhi. In the MS. noticed by Col. Tod, in his History of Rajasthan (I. p. 255) there were 69 cantos and nearly a hundred thousand verses, of which 30,000 had been translated by the Colonel into English. The subject of the MS. was the life of Prithvfraja, the last | Hindu Prince of Delhi, and his history therefore was the last chapter of the history of Hindu sovereignty in Delhi, The author of the poem lee - Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jury, was the family bard and constant companion of Prithviraja, and was accordingly an actor in wost of the exploits he describes. Although abounding in fulsome panegyric of the true oriental cast, his work has the rare merit of being a contemporary history of a.time of which no. other history exists, and was therefore of the greatest interest to the antiquarian. Philologically it was also of great value, being the oldest. specimen of Hindvi known, and as the hitherto missing link between the old Pali and the modern Hindvi, was calculated to throw much light on the history of Aryan Indian vernaculars. The MS. comprises 31 cantos as follows :— Contents of Chand’s Prithvirdja Rdyas4. 1. Entry of Anangapéla into Delhi and retirement to the Forest of Vadari. 2. The Battle of Ghaghar. 3. The Expedition to Karnata. 4, The Marriage of Chandravati. 5. The Assumption of Sovereignty by Jaitaraj. 6. The Defeat of Kangara Rao. 7. The Marriage of Hansdvati. 8. Sovereignty wrested from Pahara Rao. 9. The Story of Varuna. 10. The Death of Somesvara. 11. The Overthrow of Pajjun. 12. Chand’s Pilgrimage to Dwarka. 13. Defeat of Kaimas. 14. Murder of Bhima Bhatta. 15. The Early life of Sanjogata.* 16. Description of Vinayamangala. 17. Anecdotes of S’uka. 18. The Defeat and Destruction of Baluka Rao. 19. Assumption of Sovereignty of Pajjin. 20. The Battle of Pungasamanta. 21. The Cursed Hunt. 22. Description of Delhi. 23. The Story of a Jangama. 24. The Six Seasons. * An English translation of this gel was published by Col. Tod in the Asiatic Journal for 1839, 1868. ] | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 167 25. The Penance of Sanjogata. 26. Life of Balukaraya. 27. Defeat and Destruction of Kaimas. 28. The Fort of Kedar. 29. Description of Kanouj. 30. The Huge Fetters. _ 81. The Charmed Arrow. j _ The following papers, the reading of which was postponed at the last meeting, were read. J. Mr. W. T. Blanford’s Notes on Abyssinia. | - Senafé, March 11th, 1868. _ I went out fora week with Carter (who has charge of the G. T. . Survey, to Tekoonda and Halai, over one of the worst hill roads I ever saw. However, it was an interesting trip; I got a good number of animals, and sketched in the Geology pretty fairly. The table- land here runs out in great spurs of sandstone, and between these are -yalleys deeply cut into the Metamorphics below. Near this are a few “hills of trachyte and basalt, apparently resting on the sandstone “unconformably. No fossils are discoverable. I want now to get on to ‘Antalo and see the oolites there ; these sandstones may perhaps belong tothem. Whether I can really do any geology worthy of the name or not, depends upon how long the expedition lasts. Hitherto I have done very little, and if all is over, as many expect, by June, I shall 3 ot have seen much. } _ In Zoology, I am doing much better; I have upwards of 200 species ol birds and mammals, since I left Zoulla; that is, in less than a month. My last. valuable capture was a pair of bearded vultures, 1€ C sammergeyers) and a Klipspringer (Oreotragus) which I shot een The Liammergeyers abound in this camp, and I should \have bagged one this afternoon, I think, if a man had not got | jin the way. They are very fine birds, though this is the smaller | bom (Gypaétus occidentalis, Bonaparte, I believe) and measures “|T} feet less in the stretch of the wings than the Swiss and Himalayan i jones, I have also a pair of the curious ground hornbill or Abbagamba ‘mentioned by Bruce (Bucorvus v. Tinctoceros Abyssinicus). They 1: re tolerably common, walk about on the ground and feed on insects, 168 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Juny, They do not appear to perch on trees at all. All the hornbills (I have now four species) are marvellously insectivorous, and even the barbets (Pogoniorhyncus) of which I have I think, three species, are the same. I find there is a well marked intermediate fauna on the slopes of the hills, consisting of birds found neither here on the highlands nor on the plains about Zoulla. So [ have sent one of my skinners to Undul to collect. Sturt of the Land Transport Train, a very fair ornithologist, has promised to take care of him and shoot birds. Amongst other things, there are two woodpeckers there, of each of which I have a single specimen only, and many other birds. There. are several of which I did not secure specimens at all : however, I hope to get them. Iam not sure if any mammals are peculiar. There is a jackal-like beast which I have not seen elsewhere, but it may occur on the table-land. 15th. Since I began this, I find that the traps are far more exten- sively developed around this than I at first thought. There are a lot — askin?) ll sy> of trachytes, so exactly resembling sandstone, that I had marked them as such : I now find that they are clearly unconformable upon them. T have scarcely ever seen a greater sell, Some of the volcanic rocks, when slightly decomposed especially, cannot be distinguished even under a lens from fine argillaceous sandstone, and I doubt if I should 3 ever have made out their real nature, had not some of them been so © very columnar that their trappean nature was evident. In one hill — near this, there are some of the finest columns I ever saw; 200 or 300 feet long and as regular as possible. You will perhaps have heard that Beavan 1s been very ill and — prevented from coming out. A Mr. Jesse is appointed in his place” and is now I believe in Zoulla. A second man, (Danford or some such name) is with him, and I understand they are hard at work. Zoulla is far better now, I suspect, than when I was there, for the heavy rain _ has made the whole place green and many birds and other animals, — elephants amongst others, have gone down towards the coast. have not seen an elephant yet. The biggest wild animal I have come across has been Koodoo. I saw three different bucks yesterday and a herd of does, but could not bag one. The species I believe is large asa buck sambhur. The does are very like cow Nylgai, except 1868.]_ Proceedings of the Asiatic Scciety. 169 in having deer-like tails. Like the Nylgai too, they keep in herds away from the bucks, which are found solitary in general. Several of the sportsmen here persist in declaring that they have seen true deer with antlers. The fact is, they have seen koodoo. The very open curve of the horns, especially when they are not very large, makes them look marvellously like antlers at a distance. Geology of the road from Senafé to Antalo. Camp Antalo, March 29th, 1868. Senafé, as I before mentioned, I think, is on sandstone, upon which a series of trachytes and basalts rest quite unconformably ; the sand- stone itself resting on metamorphics, which occupy all the lower _ ground and form many of the hills as far as Goona Goona, the first march. Here the sandstone comes in, in force, and continues for the main part of this distance to Attegerat, the 5rd. halting place ; trap _ hills occurring here and there, and a portion of the route being over them. From Attegerat the road passes over sandstone to beyond the Mai Wahiz, the 4th halting place, a high range of frap hills flat at the top, running along the west of the road; and beyond Mai _ Wahiz the road descends to a great plain of metamorphics, on the west of the watershed between the Nile tributaries and the salt plain; _ for it has been ascertained that the drainage of the Eastern flank of the Abyssinian highlands never reaches the sea, but is intercepted and lost in the great salt tract, below the sea level, which extends from just south of Annesley Bay to near Tajurra. The metamor- ; phics extend beyond Ad Abaga (the 5th march) until near Dongolo, the “61, Here, after descending a steep hill, a great change takes place. ~ So far all has been simple enough; metamorphics below, sandstone ~ above them, and trap capping the whole; the two upper series nearly horizontal, and near Attegerat apparently almost conformable ; and the _ road passes from one to the other as it ascends and descends. At - Dongolo just below the Ghat, sandstone comes in with a strong westerly dip. I had not time to make out whether it was faulted against the metamorphics or deposited in a hollow. Just beyond Dongolo, limestone succeeds, apparently resting on the sandstone, but of this I am extremely doubtful, for near this, sandstone appears to oyerlie the limestone. This limestone continues for upwards of 60 170 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ Jury, miles, to this place, occasionally capped by trap, and in one or two places granitoid gneiss emerges through it. Fossils abound, but these are very ill-preserved in general, and I have not had much time to hunt for them. Ostrea, Terebratula and several Lamellibranchiate bivalves are the most frequent forms. Ferret and Gullmier I believe, mark this tract as Oolitic, and doubtless they had better grounds for | their opinion that I have yet seen. I can only say that the Ostreas — look like secondary forms, and, as a guess, I should have suspected the rocks to be Jurassic or Cretaceous, which is confirmatory of the view taken by the French engineers. Doubtless, however, they obtain- ed specimens which were compared by competent paleontologists. Perhaps one of the most interesting things is that here, as in India, cotton soil abounds; but only on trap or in its immediate neighbour- hood. It is exactly like Indian regur ; just as abominably sticky after rain, and just as full of holes as the black soil of Guzerat and Malwa. — The road throughout, I should have mentioned, is close to the . watershed, this route having been specially chosen for the purpose of avoiding the deeper ravines leading to the great hill tributaries, the — Mareb and the Takazze. Zoology.—I_ can only give you very few notes on Natural History. To my great surprise, the country is remarkable for — the paucity of large mammals. They are far fewer than in India. — From all accounts I had ever heard, I should have imagined the grassy plains we have traversed would have abounded in the different Antelopines. Nothing of the sort; not a wild animal is to be seen anywhere larger than a hare, until near this. Here two small kinds_ | of antelope are found, which [ cannot identify at present, as I have no books with me. One is of a reddish colour, about the size of the Indian Gazelle, with short straight horns : the other is mouse-coloured _ with a peculiar long muzzle. Iam told it is the kleinbuck of the — Cape. There has evidently been a change in the fauna since we have crossed into the Nile drainage, but it is not great. The Hyraw, som 2 distance this side of Attegerat is the same as at Senafé. The hare — appears to be the same, and I think the jackal too: The only Hyena, I am pretty certain, is H. crocuta, and he is to be heard just outside one’s tent every night. I shall not forget the row they make soon. ! Lions, elephants, hippopotami, rhinosceroses, giraffes, zebras and al] 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 171 the big antelopes are conspicuous by their absence. Amongst birds, the most interesting [ have noticed is Corvultwr, the great carrion crow, with a curved sub-vulturine bill, which Jerdon, I think, is quite wrong in tracing to any affinity with the big ground hornbill, The latter, I scarcely think, can be a carrion eater. He is mainly insecti- vorous, and his habits are more those of some of the Ibises, picking over ploughed fields and meadows, or sometimes, like a bustard, hunting in high grass, for locusts, I suspect. They are in pairs and threes, rarely in larger numbers. Lammergeyers are less common here than at Senafé, but still I frequently see them. I think I spoke of the species as occidentalis ; I rather suspect now it is Gypaétus nudzpes, as the tarsus is quite bare. This, I believe, is the reverse of what is stated by Bonaparte. One of my interesting specimens is a true Concal (crow pheasant) white below, which Lieutenant St. John gave me. It is especially remarkable for having a long hind claw. Its habits, flight, &c., are exactly those of the Indian species. There are two kingfishers here, a Ceryle with the usual pied plumage, and a blue kingfisher. I have only seen the former, and he appears to me different from the common Indian species, but I did not obtain a specimen. I shot a Swift at Senafé very near Oypselus melba, but differing. It may be the same species which has just been described by Tristram as occurring in Southern Africa. I have no more Nectarvmice, nor any other tenuirostral birds that I can remember. _ One small parrot with a short tail occurs in pairs. Ihave not seen a woodpecker nor a true cuckoo on the tableland. Amongst the Sylvians, the Saxicoling are most conspicuous. I have now several species of true Saxicola, two of Pratincola and two of a genus closely allied to Zhamnobia, and I believe I have not collected all I have seen. There is a very beautiful starling with bright iridiscent plumage, which abounds in some places. near this. A superb blue ~ Roller very like the Indian form, but with two long central tail - feathers, occurs occasionally, but it is rare. I have two very poor specimens but hope to get more. The large two-spurred partridge of Senafé has disappeared. It is _ replaced by a species with red legs and red naked skin round the eyes, _ said to be two spurred, but the specimens I have seen are either females or young males and spurless. I have a pair of very handsome sandgrouse 172 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jury, (Pterocles) and a small bustard or florikin. One of the most curious birds I have obtained lately is a very small grey dove not larger than a lark, with a very long tail. As I have no books I cannot identify it. A waterhen is, I think, the only wader, and I have seen a duck which is, I hear, a mallard-like bird, probably alied to the Indian Anas pecilorhynchus (or some such name) but I have not shot a specimen. I have not seen a Tern in the country. I have not so much as seen a snake or a tortoise on the highland; frogs and toads are scarce, and lizards far from numerous. I have two species only, one of them a Scinque; I have no fishes as yet: there are some, however, of fair size in the streams. It is a wretched country for land shells. On the limestone, one Helix certainly abounds, and there are one or two Pupas : that is all I can find. Insects are rare at this season of the year, and I have neither time nor appliances for collecting them. Captain Beavan, as I think I mentioned, has been unable to come out, and the Zoological Society have sent out Mr. Jesse. He has an assistant with him, and both were, by the last accounts, busily collecting at Zoulla. Markham, the geographer, is in front with the advance. Dr. Cook has been very ill, but is somewhat better; he is working at Meteorology at Senafé. In the probable event of the expedition terminating soon, I have made the following disposition with regard to my collectors. One man is at Undul in the pass with Captain Sturt of the Transport Train. Another who can shoot, I have left with my Madras boy, who can skin a little, to assist him at Attegerat. The third I carry on with me. He is a lame man (Gooloo by name) and consequently rather an im- pediment, but he skins well and quickly. Now and then I get speci- mens from various officers, and altogether, although, if the expedition is over in June, as appears probable at present, the time will have been far from sufficient to enable me to collect the fauna thoroughly, I hope to have a very fair collection. Camp Esindyé, Wadala plateau, near Magdala, April 1st, 1868. I have been unable to write for a long time. Finding I could not get my kit on fast enough, I left everything behind at Ashangi and went on with my horses. I just reached in time to go into 4 ‘ ll i lan 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 173 Magdala behind the storming party. I lost by one day the skirmish on Good Friday. However I saw everything else. | I will write more another time when I have time and paper. Here at 10,000 feet are several peculiar birds. I am collecting as well as I ean by myself, but it is slow work. I have returned before the army. It was a hard march up: constant rain from Dildee, and almost from Ashangi; long marches, frightful. roads, cold, and sundry other small drawbacks ; water was plentiful at Zoulla when comparedto Magdala and the chief’s Camp at Kraga. However all keep well. I amin good health, but I have been wretchedly unlucky. My best horse, a most useful little Arab, has been stolen, and the only man I have with me who can cook, has broken his arm. However, I am not done for yet, and I am trying to induce the chief tosend me to Lake Dembea or to Shoa. But I fear he will not. All south of Antalo is trap ; basalt and trachyte in horizontal beds at least 5,000 feet thick. Ashanghiis a curious little lake of sweet water without an outlet above ground. Maps all poor. Zoulla, June 8th. - I wrote you a few lines about a month ago from Hsindye I think; thence I hurried into Ashangi, getting a few things only from the high Wadda plateau, for my letter ordering my men up was delayed, and they never came up. At Ashangi I waited for the chief, as I had written to apply to be sent with an escort to Lake Dembea and the Chelga coal field, and, if practicable, beyond into Kwarra and the Nile country. However the chief first wrote to me to give my plans in detail, which I did, and then refused even to discuss the matter. At Ashangi - I found Cook, whom I[ had left ill at Senafé. We came back together, The best thing [ got at Ashangi, was an extraordinary rat with the habits of a mole or of a bamboo rat, but living on roots of grasses _ just as the bamboo rat (Riizomys) does on roots of bamboos. I got a few water-birds too, I came ahead of the chief’s camp to Antalo; _ halted there a day; then slipped off without a convoy and came on to Agala and Dongolo where I found, at last, a few decent fossils in the limestone. They are Oolitic I think. I have a Pholadomya and a Trigonia, like the little species so common in the Cutch Oolites. Talso obtained several birds I wanted. Thence I marched with the 174 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Jury, chief’s camp to Senafé and down to Koomeylee, staying three or four days at each. At Koomeylee the heat was great ; 112° and 118° in the shade, but it went down to 95° at night, Here it is cooler; never much more than 105° I think. ° The fauna at Koomeylee had totally changed since February. Many new birds having arrived, and all or nearly all the old ones vanished, I got a few good things, . W. T. Buayrorp. The President mentioned that in more recent letters Mr. W. Blanford stated that altogether he had been able, notwithstanding the shortness of the time, to bring together about 900 specimens of natural history.* On the Anatomy of Sagartia Schilleriana, and Membranipora Bengalensis by Dr. F. Stoliczka. (Abstract.) Dr. Stoliczka communicated to the meeting the results of his exa- mination of the anatomy of Sagartia Schilleriana and Membranipora Bengalensis, two species found living in brackish water at Port Canning. After-having briefly pointed out the circumstances which led to the discovery of the Sagartia [this being a species of the Actiniacee] Dr. - Stoliczka stated that there are hardly any instances recorded of species of this kind of corals having been permanently found living in brackish water. The Actinie [using this name in a general sense] are as arule only met with attached to rocks along the sea shore, generally at a moderate depth, or hidden in crevices and holes between the tide- marks. The present species which belongs to the genus Sagartia, was found living, attached to old trunks of trees, in water which, according to an analysis of Mr. D. Waldie, only contains about one-third of the — saline constituents of pure sea water, in 1000 parts of which they vary from 32—37 parts. In general, however, all the principal constituents, — the chlorides, iodides, &c., are present, the difference only affecting the quantity, not the quality. The principal and distinctive characters of the species, Sagartia Schilleriana, are the extreme softness and transparency of the body, 4 * Letters by recent mails announce that Mr, Blanford was starting for Bogos, = to the North-West, from Massowah, from which expedition he looked for many additions and novelties. —Hd. J 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 175 having the column marked with longitudinal, alternating, greenish bands, the rest of the body being dull whitish ; the number of septa usually amounts to 48 ; the ovaria are bluish purple, the craspeda yellowish or greyish white and the acontia purely white. _ Dr. Stoliczka then drew the attention of the meeting to the most interesting points relating to the anatomy of the species. He first gave a general sketch of the principal parts of a Sagartia, and then stated that in the present instance, the body was found to be composed of five different layers. The outermost is almost only represented by a mucous substance, chiefly composed of large cnzde, or nettle cells, and some few, pale green, pigment cells. Then follows a thin muscular layer, principally composed of concentric or cross fibres; next a rather ' thick layer of green pigment, then again a thick muscular layer gra- dually passing into a tough, muscular tissue, in which skleroids of two kinds are imbedded. The one kind are long and cylindrical bacilli, with short lateral processes and consist of carbonate of lime; the other kind are thin, flat, rectangular plates of various forms consist- ing of silica, _ The nature of these skleroids, after their difference of form has been observed by simple maceration of the tissue, was positively ascertained | by burning a specimen in a platina crucible, until all organic matter disappeared. The result was, that a perfect skeleton of the animal was obtained, representing an irregular network of solid, white fibres. Upon placing a portion of the skeleton in hydrochloric acid, the largest portion, being carbonate of lime, was dissolved, leaving ‘behind a very thin membrane composed of the siliceous skleroid particles. It is to be hoped that this observation will induce other naturalists to examine similar species, and there is a probability that the definition of the Anthozoa malacodermata will have to “undergo considerable changes. _ The tentacles are usually arranged near the periphery of the disc in apparently alternating circles, the number of them rising up to about 150 or 160. The acontia, craspeda and ovaria, all are attached to the internal side of the strongly muscular larynx. The acontia are very long, purely white bands, solely consisting of long cnide, being transparentcells with more or. less prolonged, retractile and bearded Stilets, called ecthorwa, These acontia are issued through the holes 176 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Juny, (cinclides) of the integument, whenever the animal is irritated, serving as defensive organs. The craspeda are similar bands of a yellowish colour, but they are shorter and never ejected, they seem to be connected with the digestive system ; their composition is similar to that of the acontia, except that there is in the centre a considerable accumulation of an intercellular substance. The ovaria are long strings, lying between the mesenterial folds; there are 12 pairs of them present composed of eggs only. Thread-like organs j chiefly composed of spermatozoa appear to be only occasionally formed. A small live specimen and parts of the solid skeleton were exhibited, and the microscopical structure of the body illustrated by diagrams and preparations. With reference to Membranipora Bengalensis, [a species of Bryozoa, the lowest organized molluscs], Dr. Stoliczka said that the polyzo- ariwm usually consists of a single layer.of hexagonal, flat cells which are arranged in alternate rows. The upper part of the cells is membranaceous, only in old specimens partially solid. The animal is whitish, and the statoblasts are greenish. An interesting observation was made regarding the progressive growth of the polyzoariwm. At first only a small, very thin, membranaceous cell is formed, being filled with a greenish granular substance. In the next stage a small — embryo, with a transparent centre is visible, but the cell is still without an aperture. Subsequently the tentacles become traceable in the ~ ‘ translucent centre of the embryo, and the dark, granular substance diminishes in the same degree as the size of the embryo increases; the ~ cell only communicates with the neighbouring ones by small lateral — holes. At last the embryo is seen to be attached to the posterior wall of the cell by a few thin muscles, a long thread is developed at the © base, so as to fix the cell and support its subsequent attachment, and : an oval aperture is formed in the front part of the upper membrane. — The cell is then perfect, the animal communicates direct with the ° surrounding medium, the statoblasts are soon developed and the struc+ ‘s ture of the cell becomes gradually more solid. Specimens of the Wem- - branipora were also exhibited ; the species appears to be common in all — the brackish waters of the Sunderbunds, } 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 117 ‘“ Notes on some stone implements found in the district of Sngbhoom by Captain Beeching,” communicated by V. Ball, Esq. When in September last, I laid before the Society an account of a chipped celt which was found in Manbhoom, I ventured to predict that an examination of the adjoining district of Singbhoom, which is at present inhabited by several aboriginal races, would probably result in the discovery of traces of the stone age. The chert flakes and knives now exhibited, were found in the early part of the present year by Captain Beeching when, in command of a Company of the 10th Madras N. I., he marched from Ranchi to Chaibassa for the pur- pose of quelling the disturbances in the tributary state of Keonjur, While awaiting orders at Chaibassa he was so fortunate as to make the discovery, described in the following note : *‘ [he accompanying chippings were found principally at Chaibassa in the Singbhoom district and also at Chuckerdherpore, a town about sixteen miles off. They were generally to be seen on or near the banks of the river, and attracted the eye at once by the striking difference they presented to the other stones lying near them. Some were lying loose in gravel, others in the sandy depressions and ravines near the river, and in one instance ‘the chips’ appeared to radiate from a small rocky mound, becoming more numerous as one approached the central point, until at last there was hardly a square foot of earth which did not contain several of them.” _ Chert of various degrees of purity is the material of which these flakes are made. In several parts of Manbhoom there is a bed of highly vitrified quartzite with conchoidal fracture. A similar one in Singbhoom doubtless furnishes the cherts. In point of manufacture, these flakes are inferior to those from the Jubbulpore district, the chert not yielding such sharp edges as the agates and flints of which the latter are made. The reading of the following papers was deferred until the next meeting. | Notes on the Keriahs, an aboriginal race, living in the hill tract of | Manbhoom, by V. Ball, Esq. Dr. Mingay, on Malay animals, _ Dr, King, on Birds of Goonah. 178 Proceedings of the Asiatic Socvrety. { Joy, The receipt of the following was announced :— 1. Notes on the Keriahs, an aboriginal race, living in the hill tract of Manbhoom, by V. Ball, Esq. 2. Notes on the Lion of Aboo, by G. King, Esq. 3, An endorsement from the Under-Secretary to the Government of India forwarding a classified list of races in the Punjab. LiprarRy. The following additions have been made to the Library since the meeting held in June last. Presentations. * * Names of Donors in Capitals. Bulletin de la Société de Géographie, April, 1868.—Tuz Gzo- GRAPHICAL Society or Parts. Annual Report. and Transactions of the Adelaide Philosophical Society, for the year ending 30th September, 1867.—C. A. Wuzsoy, Ks. Journal Asiatique No. 39, 1867.—Tur Astatic Soctmry or Paris, Actes de la Société D’Ethnographie, No. 8.—Tue Erunograruican Society or Paris. Indische Studien, x. 3.—Dr. A. WeBEr. . The Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, i 1865-66. °Tu Socrery. The Report of, the British Association for the Advancement. of Science, 1866.—Tuxr Assocration. Report of the Committee of the Bengal Chamber of Gomme from November, 1867 to April, 1868.—Tun Bunean CuamBErR oF CoMMERCE. , Anthropological Review, Vol. VI. Nos. 20 and 21.—Tue Axtuno- POLOGICAL Society oF Lonpon. Annual Report of the Lahore Lunatic Asylum for the year 1867.4 THE GovERNMENT oF Benaat. yy Report on Leprosy by the Royal College of Physicians.—Drrro. cd Records of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. I. Part I, 1868. —f Dirto. 1868. } Proceedings of the Asiatic Socrety. 179 Annual Report of the Geological Survey of India and = Museum of Geology, Calcutta.—Dirvo. The Calcutta Journal of Medicine, Vol. I. No. 5.—Dr. Manznpra- LALA SARACARA, The Alps and the Himalayas, a Geblogibs! Comparison by H. B. Medlicott, Esq.— Tu Avurtuor. Hyat i Afghani by Mahommad Hyat Ali. — Tur AUTHOR. The Calcutta Gazette or Oriental Advertiser, 1785-86, 1789-90.— Tur Rav. J. Lona. The Samachara Darpana, 1824.—Dirro. A Collections of 50 prints from Antique gems.— Ditto, A Calendar of Indian State papers, Secret Series, 1774-75.—Dirto. The History of the Christian Church in Maharashtri by the Rev. C. G. Barth.—Dirvo. Naaukeurige Versameling der Gedenkwaardigste Reysen na Oost en west Indien.—Duirvo. Discours sur les affairs de Pologne prononce par M. Le Mrs de la Rochejaquelin —Dirro. Abolition du servage en Russie.—Dirvo. The Polish question, or an Appeal to the good sense of Englishmen by a Russian.—Dirro. Proverbs, Malayalam, Tamul, Chinese, Panjabi, Servian, Maharashtiri and Hindi illustrating the popular feelings and various nationalities. —Dirro. Huchange. The Athenzum for March and April, 1868. Purchase. Comptes Rendus, 13, 14 and 15 ; 1868. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, No. 5, 1868. Revue de Zoologie, No. 8, 1868. The Ibis, No. 14, 1868. Gould’s Birds of Asia, Part XX. Beddome’s Ferns of British India, Part XX. Lecons sur la Physiologie et Anatomie Comparée by E. Milne Edwards, Tom IX. Part I. 180 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Juny, Revue des deux Mondes, 15th April and 1st May, 1868. _ Revue Archéologique, Tom XVII. No. IV. : The Numismatic Chronicle, Part I., 1868, The Edinburgh Review, No. 260. The Calcutta Review, May, 1868. Assyrian Dictionary, by HE. Norris, Part I. ee PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASTATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Avaust, 1868. —@—- A Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday, the 5th instant, at 9 o’clock P. M. T. Oldham, Esq., President, in the chair. The minutes of the last Ordinary General Meeting were read and confirmed. The receipt of the following presentations was announced : — 1. From Babu Hemachandra Deva— A nest of Orthotomus longicaudus. 2. From the Barrackpore Park Menagerie— A specimen of Mellivora ratel (Badger), A specimen of Pave muticus, 3. From Lieutenant J. Gregory— A specimen of Teliphonus, from the Naga Hills. 4, From Babu Rakhéladésa Haéladéra— A quantity of Kaolin from Ménbhim. 5. From J. Avdall, Esqg.— A copy of Grammaire Polyglotte contenant les principes des langues Arabe, Persane, Turque et Tartare, par Le P. Minas Medic. 6. From the editor— A copy of Prasannardghava Nétaka, edited by Pandita Govindachandra Sastri. 7. From the Superintendent Government Mathematical Instrument Department— Two base line chains, 100 feet each. A Zenith Sector, with stand, —— a ' 182 Proceedings of the Asiatie Soevety. [ Aue. A Zenith micrometer, with stand. Formerly used by Colonel Lambton in the G. T. Survey, 8. From Dr. D. B. Smith— Twelve Udia skulls. 9. From the Calcutta Brahma Saméja— A copy of The Doctrine of Christian Resurrection. A copy of Vedantic Doctrines vindicated. A copy of Selections from Vedanta. A copy of Hindu Theism. A copy of Theist’s Prayer-Book, and twenty other small pamphlets. 10. From Colonel J. ©. Haughton— A copy of Padmaduta Kdvyam, by Siddanaétha Vidyavagisa, A copy of Addresses delivered at the Hitoishini Samaja of Cuch Vehara. 3 11. From W. Oldham, Esq., LL.D., Offg. Magistrate of Ghazeepur. Some earth which fell in a shower at Kootubpur. The following letter, addressed to the Secretary, accompanied the donation :— Ghazeepur, the 22nd July, 1868. ‘A report has been received, which there is reason to believe is authentic, that on the 15th instant at noon in Kootubpur, of the | Shadiabad Pergunnah of this district, a shower of earth moistened with rain fell, Small balls of moistened earth about the size of peas fell slowly and for considerable time, I forward herewith specimens of the earth which fell. From the 18th of June, until the 5th of July, no rain fell in this district ; since then we have had abundant rain. The rains set m generally on the 17th, but on the 15th and 16th local showers occurred. I am not aware whether the shower has any scientific interest or importance, or not ; but if it has, you will, I believe, find that, a day or ; ; two later, a somewhat similar shower fell at Cawnpur.’— The President stated that the earth alluded to had been carefully — examined under the microscope, and that it was nothing but the ordinary surface silt of the plains of Bengal, which might have come from almost any part of the Gangetic plain. Occasionally the character of 1868.] Proceedings of the Asvatic Society. 183 the earth which fell in this way as mud in showers, was of such mark- ed and distinctive nature, as would enable a tolerably accurate con- clusion to be arrived at, regarding the direction from which it had been carried, or the locality from which it had first been lifted to the clouds, to be again deposited with rain. The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting were balloted for, and elected Ordinary members :— H, HK. Perkins, Hsq., C. 8. Pandita Chandramohana Gosvami. Captain J. W. Muir. R. T. Hobart, Hsq., C. 8. The following are candidates for ballot ‘at the September meeting :— Baron vy. Ernsthausen, proposed by Mr. F. Schiller, seconded by Dr. F. Stoliczka. R. M. Adam, Esq., proposed Mr, F’. Schiller, seconded by Dr. F. Stoliczka. KH. Ch. Van Cutsem, proposed by Dr. F. Stoliczka, seconded by the President. R. V. Stoney, Esq., C. H., proposed by the President, seconded by Mr. C. A. Hacket. C. Lazarus, Esq., proposed by Mr. G. Robb, seconded by Mr. D. -Waldie. Letters from the following gentlemen intimating their desire to withdraw from the Society were recorded— Lieutenant-Colonel B. Reid. Colonel J. C. Brooke. _ The Hon’ble J. B. Phear, in accordance with the notice given at : the last meeting, moved— _ That the Society record a vote of thanks to Mr. H. F. Blanford, _who had lately resigned the General Secretaryship, for his services, Mr. Phear said that in proposing the resolution, he should use very few words, because he thought that, even on an occasion like this, the praise which was unspoken was the highest praise. Mr. Blanford had been many years a zealous member of the Society, and for several years he had actively and well discharged the duties of Secretary. He would ask the members to call to their minds what this service really involved. He thought he was not wrong 184 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Aue. in supposing that they considered their Society as the first Scientific Society in India. They were proud of their Ethnolo- gical and Antiquarian researches. And they were willing to flatter themselves that they could correspond on equal terms with the Literary and Scientific Societies of Europe and America. Let them remember that in these things their Secretary was the mouth piece of the Society, and that certainly Mr. Blanford in discharge of these duties had never failed to reflect credit upon the body. It was few persons who possessed the qualifications needed for the post, and fewer still, who would sacrifice their private leisure to perform its functions. If they were so fortunate (as he believed he might venture to assume they were) that they had already secured Mr. Blochmann to succeed Mr. Blanford, they must not forget, that they had enjoyed the further fortune of having Mr. Blanford as the predecessor of Mr. Blochmann, and unless they gave the only return in their power, unstinted thanks, to the retiring Secretary, they would be virtually telling Mr. Bloch- mann that he had undertaken a thankless office. Dr, Fayrer seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. Read a letter from the Under-Secretary to the Government of India, For. Dept., forwarding further report on the Cromlechs of Coorg dated Coorg, 22nd May, 1868. ‘In continuation of my letter No. 3301 of the 4th March last, T have the honor to report that in accordance with the instructions of the Commissioner, I have caused eleven of the Cromlechs, lately dis- covered in the vicinity of Veerajenderpett, to be excavated, and beg to submit the results of the explorations made by myself and my Assistant, Lieutenant J. 8. F. Mackenzie.’ | 2. ‘The parallel barrows, or mounds of: earth, alluded to in my former report, though containing one or two Cromlechs, were found not to cover continuous rows of these structures; but the Cromlechs now excavated were situated below large mounds and covered over with trees and dense brushwood, showing that they had not been touched by the hand of man for ages past. These structures consisted, like the others reported on, of oblong chambers, the bottom and sides composed of large single slabs of unhewn granite, and surmounted by a large slab of the same description. The longest chamber was 74 “Ho Hoc SS YDPIULOLG AL? pour of- SUPOMIAL UOLT Gers Aap : iki ae 209 FOUSy PONE | a = 7? fxs 4 a 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. 185 feet long, by 44 broad and 5 feet deep. The several dimensions were as follows :— No. Length. Breadth. Depth. 1. 6 feet 4 inches. 3 feet 8 inches. 3 feet 8 inches. 2. “COS At ae a, 2 May 3. 7 +P) 6 1) 4 ” 3 1? 4) 9 4. 6 ”» 9 ? 3 9 4 13 2 ) 6 9 D. D4 6 ” ie May Bi 55 9 ” 6. ey Dy; arr lar a daa 7. 6, Sy Sel; GE ON '53 8. 6, 3» 3 yy 9. 7 ” 3, 4 ” 10, eats Sa on iieaGe 7 hi. ae 3s eRNO = ae 3. ‘All these Cromlechs had square or segmental apertures which the natives always point out as a proof that these structures used to form the abodes of the pygmy race, described in their legends. Some have supposed that these apertures were made use of for the purpose of introducing the cinerary urns and bones of the members of the family into the sepulchral vault, as they died one after the other. I am inclined to this belief, as the urns were invariably discovered in each corner, and often piled one on the top of the other, and these Openings are always at the top of the front slab, and immediately be- low the super-incumbent slab. The doors or apertures were generally found to face towards the east, but strange to say, one was found facing to the north, and a few to the west. They are 14, 13, and 2 feet wide.’ 4. ‘T am glad to be able to state that the excavations resulted in the discovery of several antique-shaped urns and pots, composed of thick red and black pottery, apparently highly glazed, some of which are on four feet, and some are tripods. Lieutenant W. Freeth, the Assistant _ Superintendent of the Revenue Survey, has kindly sketched and litho- _ graphed a group of these urns, and his lithographed copies will convey a better description of these antique vessels than any words of minecan do. (Copy of these drawings is given, Plate 3.) They are all full of hard earth, apparently well rammed in by the rain-fall of successive monsoons. I had some of the damaged 186 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Ava. vessels broken up, and the contents carefully sifted, but could not dis- cover any traces of bones, whether calcined or not. This would lead to the belief that these vessels had not been used as cinerary urns. The small fragments of charcoal were generally found in the earth inside the Cromlechs and smaller cists.’ 5. ‘Below the sketch of the urns, Mr. Freeth has drawn some of the pieces of iron weapons found in these Cromlechs. The large one would appear to have been’ a spear or large javelin, and the others arrows and hilts of daggers.’ 6. ‘There are no concentric rows of stones round these Cromlechs, as generally found elsewhere; but I found that the CGromlechs at Fraserpett had distinctly such rows of upright stones round each. These look as if they had been tampered with, though not for many years past; but I will cause them to be carefully excavated next month, and will submit a separate report on the results.’ (Sd.) R. A. Cots, Supdt. of Coorg. The President, in inviting the remarks of the Members on this communication, said: It was one of the most interesting discoveries of the kind which had yet been recorded in India. They had here what were called Cromlechs, but which are really more of the type of the Kistvaens of Northern Europe than ofthe true Dolmen, of a very peculiar construction, of double chambers, such as are represent- ed in a previous number of the Proceedings, existing under cireum- stances which would prove that for a very long period at least, they had not been disturbed. They were covered by large mounds of — earth, obviously artificial, and this earth covered with a thick growth ~ of underwood and large timber-trees. And on opening these curious structures, remains of pottery were found as represented in the draw- ings before the Society (Plate 3), which differed materially from the pottery now in use. Ina slight degree the forms of the vessels were different ; the one more especially of an elongated amphora-like | shape, (Fig. 5), also that shewn in Fig. 7, and Fig. 4, the outline of which, combined with the peculiar arrangement of the foot or feet, — seemed to him not exactly similar to those now in use. This, how- : ever, was a point by no means easy to decide, as the forms of pottery y in common use, were countless, and varied most materially in different 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 187 districts. The principal point of difference consisted in the facts as stated, that this pottery was very thick and highly glazed, two facts in which it most materially differed from pottery of similar forms now generally in use. : Then, along with this pottery, were found several remains of iron weapons or tools, as represented in the drawings. These were pecu- liarly interesting. Several years since he had noticed to the Society the curious fact that wherever any weapons or tools, or any trace of metallic material had been found in such structures, they had invariably been of iron. He was not aware that anything so perfect as these now described had been previously found, but wherever found, or in whatever condition, they had always been of iron. Now, knowing the rapidity with which iron decomposes in this climate, and looking to the tolerably well preserved condition in which these remains were found, it would lead him to attribute to the period of their entomb- ment, a date much less ancient than would at first appear justified by the rude and almost unhewn nature of the structures in which they have been found. It was strange that among all these old _ Cromlechs, and other structures of unhewn stone, not a trace of stone weapons had been found, although within short distances they occur abundantly. The character and shape of the iron remains found in these Coorg ‘Cromlechs,’ would also indicate a more advanced knowledge of the art of metallurgy than could be easily reconciled with any very early date. Of course it is possible that the race who last used or occupied these structures, was totally different from that which first constructed them, but he thought this was an exceedingly improbable supposition. _ He hoped the Commissioner of Coorg would continue these investi- gations, and was confident that other and valuable discoveries still awaited enquiry. Mr. Phear was inclined to think that the forms of the earthen vessels, represented as having been found in the Cromlechs, did not point to any distinction of race. All of them, excepting two, closely resembled the forms of vessels, which are in use among the people at this day, and the two excepted forms only indicated to his mind that among the authors of the Cromlechs the potter’s art was somewhat in advance of that which flourishes_in the country bazars now. In these 188 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Ave. two, the lower part of the vessels exhibited the same general form as the others did: the deviation from the type took place in the upper part, where a sudden change in the curvature of the surface caused a cusp in the outline. The result no doubt was graceful, and a step in advance of the art, which produced the other, (as he thought) older form. It occurred to him that it might have been brought about something as follows: Experience taught the potter that his work would be materially facilitated, if he formed his vessel in two pieces, and afterwards united them. But in adopting this practice, which prevails almost universally in this neighbourhood, the potter still tried his best to keep to the original outwardly convex curvature. Then it was discovered by some innovator that the making of the vessel in two pieces afforded an excellent opportunity for giving variety to the form, and hence came the abrupt alteration of curvature exhibited in the two figures in question. He thought that even these forms, if his memory did not mislead him, might be paralleled in the bazars of this town. The three little feet, which appeared in some of the figures attached to the hemispherical surface of the vessel, to — render it capable of standing, was a contrivance common enough now. It was remarkable that not one of the vessels figured had a base other than the trivet referred to, and in this respect they corresponded close- ly with the vessels in common use among the people at the present time. Rev. J. Long asked if it was known what term or name the people applied to these Cromlechs, and whether this name was a word be- longing to the language now in use there, or was a word only tradi- tionally known. The value of Etymological research in cases where history was silent, was immense, and becoming daily more ac- knowledged. It would be desirable to know whether these words were applied indiscriminately to all such structures, or only to those of a peculiar type. . The President said the communications now before the Society gave no information on these points, but he would endeavour to obtain ; answers to Mr. Long’s valuable suggestions and queries. oe 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 189 Read also a despatch from the Secretary of State for India on subjects of Architectural and Artistic interest in India. India Office, London, the 28th May, 1868. To His Perio dy y the Right Hon'ble the Governor-General of India in ~~ Council. Sir,—I forward herewith, with réleranos to previous correspond- ence, copy of a letter* from the Lords of the Committee of the Council of Education, and desire that your Excellency in Council will issue instructions for a compliance, without any undue interference with their more important duties, with the wish of their Lordships for more detailed information respecting objects of Architectural and Artistic interest in India. | (Sd.) Szarrorp H. Nortucors, Dated 12th May, 1868. From H. Cou, Esq., Science and Art Department, to the Under- ° Secretary of State for India. | ‘T am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Council on Educa- tion to thank you for your letter of the Ist instant, enclosing a copy of a Despatch from the Government of India, with a list of the objects of Architectural and Artistic interest in the Mysore Territory.’ ‘Their Lordships are of opinion that it would add to the value of such lists if, in future, some further details could be given.’ ‘It would be desirable to state, as respects each building, what is the style and date, its materials of construction, its present use, whether or not it is decorated by sculpture or colored decoration, and its present condition,’ | ‘T am, therefore, to request that you will move Sir Stafford North- _ cote to direct that all the information that may be possible, may be ; given under the above heads in any future list which may be trans- - mitted from India.’ The President stated that the Council wished this Despatch and its enclosure to be made known to the Society at large, in order that any individual member who might be able or desirous of contributing further information on the points referred to, might be aware of the kind and the extent of detail asked for by the Department of Science and Art. | * Dated 12th May, 1868. 190 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Aue. The following papers, the reading of which had been postponed at the last Meeting, were read :-— J. Notes on the Kheriahs, an aboriginal race living im the hill tracts * of Médnbhim, by V. Batt Ese., B. A. In the special Ethnological number* of the Society’s journal, Colonel Dalton gives an account of the Kheriahs. He says that they are most nearly allied to the Juangas or Putoons, both forming branches of the Moondah family.f They are quite distinct from the Korewahs, another branch of the same family. A few colonies of this last mentioned race are, I believe, to be found in Manbhim. The position of the Kheriahs having thus been established on the best authority, it is unnecessary for me to allude to it further; my simple object being, in connection with my note on the stone imple- ments of Singhbhim, to draw attention to a race who owe to their Arian conquerors what little traces of civilization are observable amongst them. I have had singular opportunities of seeing the Kheriahs in their homes, in the recesses of the jungle, where they live — shut out and hidden from the surrounding world. If we are disposed to regard these people as savages, their Sonthal and Bhumij neighbours do not treat them much better, ban mdnus being a term commonly applied to them. The Kheriahs shew a marked dislike for civilization, constantly leaving places where they have any reason for supposing that they — are overlooked. . Their houses, generally not more than two or three together, are situated on the sides or tops of the highest hills: they stand in small clearances ; a wretched crop of bajera being sown between the fallen and charred trunks of trees. Close to the south boundary of Manbhim, there are a succession of hill ranges, of which Dulma (3047it.), the rival of Parisnath, is the * Page 155. + Tn Vol n1., p. 203 of the Journal, Lieut. Tickell described a race called Bendkars of Keonjur. They did not know of any relationship existing between themselves and the Kheriahs, but they are, in many respects, a similar race, — living in the same kind of houses, on hill tops, and deriving their principal subsistence from the same roots and fruits. .1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 191 highest point. On this hill I saw three or four neat little Kheriah cottages made of wattled bamboo, which, together with the small standing crop, had, for no apparent reason, been deserted. Further west, just outside the boundary of Manbhim on a plateau formed of trap, where there was a good water supply, the small Kheriah villages had assumed a somewhat permanent appearance. Occasionally Kheriah cottages are to be seen on the outskirts of villages; but this is a departure from what is one of the most characteristic customs of the race. Besides the Kheriahs, there is another race called Pahareas, of somewhat similar habits, living on Dulma hill range. One of them told me that his race were superior to the Kheriahs, with whom they could neither eat nor drink. One of the chief distinctions between them appeared to be that the Kheriahs do not eat the flesh of sheep, ‘and may not even use a woollen rug. It would be exceedingly interesting, if this custom could be traced to its origin; I do not remember to have seen it stated of any other race. In her re spects the Kheriahs are not over-fastidious feeders. Both races eat cattle that have been killed by wild animals, and very possibly too, those that have died from disease. The first Kheriahs I met with were encamped in the jungle at the foot of some hills. The hut was rudely made of a few sd/ branches, its occu- pants being one man, an old and two young women, besides three or four children. At the time of my visit, they were taking their morning meal, and as they regarded my presence with the utmost indifference, without even turning round or ceasing from their occupations, I remained for ‘some time watching them. They had evidently recently. captured some small animal, but what it was, as they had eaten the skin before, I could not ascertain. As I looked on, the old women distributed to Re ee ey the others, on plates of sé] leaves, what appeared to be the entrails of the animal, and wrapping up her own portion between a couple of leaves, threw it on the fire, in order to give it a very primitive cooking. With regard to their ordinary food, the Kheriahs chiefly depend ; ‘upon the jungle for a supply of fruits, leaves, and roots. I got them to collect for me specimens of the principal species they used; but as Tiound that, with few exceptions, they were included in the list of 192 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Ava. edible plants which I described to the Society on a previous occasion,* I do not repeat them here. Besides these, however, the Kheriahs eat rice, which they obtain in the villages in exchange for several jungle products, such as honey, lac dhona (from the sdl), tusser cocoons, sdl leaves, and bundles of bamboo slips called khuwrkz, wherewith the leaves are stitched into plates. That the rice which they thus obtain in exchange, though small, is an important element in their daily food seems apparent from the fact that a large numberof them are said to have died in the famine, Ican only explain this by supposing that they lost heart on being deprived of what had been a regular source of supply, and failed to exert themselves in the collection of an extra quantity of roots. An explana- tion somewhat similar to this was given to me by a Sonthal who said, speaking of his own race, that those who underwent the labour of searching the jungles escaped, while those who sat in their houses wishing for better times, as a matter of course, died. The roots which they obtain in the jungle are dug up with consi- derable labour from the rocky ground, by means of an instrument — called Adnthz. It consists of an iron spike, firmly fixed in a wooden handle. The point of this, as it is natural it should, frequently be- comes blunted ; to avoid the necessity of taking it to be sharpened — perhaps half a dozen miles to the nearest kumar, the Kheriahs have ~ invented for themselves a forge, the blast for which is produced by a pair of bellows of the most primitive construction. They consist of a pair of conical caps about eighteen inches high, which are made of leaves” stitched together with grass ; these are firmly fixed down upon hollows in the ground whence a pair of bamboo tuyers convey the blast produced by alternate and sudden elevations and depressions of the caps to a heap of ignited charcoal ; in this the iron spikes are heated until they become sufficiently soft to be hammered to a point by a stone used as a hammer on a stone anvil. The Kheriahs never make iron themselves, but are altogether dependent on the neighbouring bazars for their supplies. It is to this point that I wish more particularly to draw attention. Had they at any period possessed a knowledge of the art of making iron, con- ee * J. A. S. B. 1867, Part II., No. II. p. 78. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 193 servative of their customs as such races are, it is scarcely likely that they would have forgotten it. It is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that there was a period, anterior to the advent of the Hindus, when iron was quite unknown to them, when, owing to the absence of cultivation in the plains, they were even still more micsiabari on the supply of jungle food than they are at present. Tn those times their axes and their implements for grubbing up roots, were in all probability made of stone, and their arrows had tips made of the same material. Owing to the timidity of the Kheriahs, I have not had many oppor- tunities of speaking to them ; frequently, on my approach to a house, the whole family fled, and hid themselves in the jungle, at other times I have found the houses empty, all the family having gone out into the jungle to collect food. On several occasions, however, I have had the men brought into camp, when I have questioned them as to their language and customs ; in this way I have formed a vocabulary which, however at present in a crude state, I hope to have further opportunities of testing its accuracy, and correcting it by the elimination of words of Bengali and Hindi origin. In their persons, the Kheriahs are very dirty, seldom if ever wash- ing themselves. Their features are decidedly of a low character not unlike the Bhimij; but there seemed to me to be an absence of any strongly marked type in their faces or build, such as enables one to ) know a Sonthal, and even a Kitirmi, at a glance. They undoubtedly belong, however, to the races who excited so much disgust on the part of the Hindus, when they first came into the country, and whom the author of the ‘ Annals of Rural Bengal,’ quoting from the Sanscrit, alls in language probably more appropriate when first written than now, “The black-skinned, human-sacrificing, flesh-eating, forest - tribes.”’ Some conversation ensued in which Dr. D. B. Smith, Mr. Woodrow, Dr. Ewart, and Mr. Ball, took part. 194. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Ave, The Natural History Secretary read the following :— II. Notes on rare and little known Malayan mammals and birds, by Dr. Maingay. 1. Gaveus Gaurus. The first specimen I bring to the notice of the Society is one of a frontlet of the Malayan bison, an animal well known to the Malays under the name of Sladany and described as of very large size, and more formidable when wounded than the tiger. It is found. in the dense jungles around the base of Mount Ophir and the Kambou hills, and, no doubt, extends along the bases of the hilly ranges which form the axis of the Peninsula, as far as Tennasserim or Burmah. It must not be confounded with the Bos Sondaicus, also found in similar localities and distinguished by the Malays under the local name of Sapi or Sapiontan. The Sladang is now very rarely found within the Malacca territory, and the animal from which the frontlet was taken, was the only one of which I have been able to obtain any record as having been killed within the British boundary for the last thirty years. It was a very old solitary male, and was wounded by a | Malay, who immediately on firing ran away, and the body of the animal, in an advanced stage of decomposition, was found, some days — after, at a distance from the place where it had been wounded. Not being able personally to visit the spot, I only succeeded in procuring the frontlet. The measurements* in my specimen are as follows : Between the tips of the horns, 21 inches; breadth of forehead along frontal ridge, 94 inches ; circumference of horn at base, 15} inches ; from base to tip round outer curve, 233 inches. I have also measured a pair of horns, at present in the possession of a gentleman at Malacca, which measure no less than 284 inches along the outer curve, with a longitudinal diameter of 7, and a transverse one of 34 inches, or exactly 2 to 1. 2. Pelicanus Phillippensis, apud Jerdon, Birds of India. This is the only form of Pelican I have as yet met with in the Straits—lI refer to the above species as described by Jerdon ; it generally appears in large flocks and at irregular intervals. The following are the notes and measurements drawn up from two specimens, male and female, in my own collection. * See Dr. Jerdon’s Mammals of India, p. 303. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 195 Trides clear pale brown, paler at the inner and outer edges, and surrounded for a fourth of an inch by an injected red sclerotic, which becomes white posteriorly. Bill from 12 to 13 inches long, measured along the central ridge of the upper mandible, which ridye is pale flesh colour, with the lateral expansions deeper in colour and marked with a series of leaden black or purplish subquadrate oblique macule in either a single or, towards the base, a double row. Nail arcuate, dull yellow. Lower mandible greyish flesh colour, becoming orange towards the tip. Gular pouch, when lax, very pale slate colour, anteriorly with orange caruncles towards the base; when stretched, : of a lurid flesh colour with well marked veins. Legs and feet dull slate colour, or bluish flesh colour. Claws whitish lead colour, paler towards their tips. Total length from tip of lower mandible to tip of tail, 41 feet. Wing 21 to 223 inches, with the 3rd and 4th quills longest, and the 2nd shorter than the Ist. Tarsus 83, to 31 inches. -Midtoe, including claw, 5 to 54 inches. Inner toe, including claw, 5i inches. Outer toe 5 inches. The species does not breed in any part of the Peninsula with which Tam acquainted. It perches though rarely upon very lofty trees, and a similar habit has been noticed by Griffith in the Pelican of the Jheels of Hastern Bengal, but its usual roosting place is at sea. The Malays term it ‘ bwrong Jawa,” literally bird of Java. The marks on the bill occurred in every specimen which has passed under my observation. 3. Limnaetus alboniger, (Horsf. ?)* [ Spizaetus cristatellus, Jardine and Selby, in more advanced plumage than the very young individual represented in the ornithological ‘illustration of those authors. |f This bird settles a point long in dispute, namely the identity of hes * Horsfield (Cat. of Birds, I. p. 33) quotes? Nisaétus alboniger, Blyth, as ‘identical with Spiz. caligatus, and 98 cristatellus, Temm., as a distinct variety of the same, but I cannot find the reference to Lim. alboniger, Horsf,— Nar. q Hist. SECRETARY, _ + Jardine and Selby’s (Ornith. II. p. 66) Spizaétus cristatellus is describ- a from a specimen, said to have been abi by the Captain of a vessel about to enter the port of Aberdeen, The forehead of the specimen is whitish, the rest ofthe upper plumage brown, below and sides of neck white, tail greyish with 7 black bands. Jardine and Selby supposed this specimen to be Temminck’s Falco cristatellus, in the adult state ; this is however not the case, as may easily be seen from a comparison of the description of the last species in Dr, J ordom: 3 work,—Naz, Hist, SECRETARY, 196 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ave. Spizaetus errstatellus of Jardine and Selby above quoted. I possess in my own collection a single specimen of the latter exceedingly rare bird, which agrees with the description and figure in every respect. The specimen* I present to the Society, shows a more advanced stage of plumage, one exactly intermediate between Spizaetus cristatellus and Limnaetus alboniger, Horsf., if I understand the latter aright as a smaller form than Kzenert, but like it at once recognisable by the deep shining black of the back in old birds, and the rufous tinge of the breast and abdomen. The species must be considered as very rare, even at Malacca, as I have only met with five specimens within a period of more than four years. Of other Zimnaeti I may mention the following in my collection :— LIimnaetus niveus, always showing the fawn-coloured bands on the thighs, as noted by Jerdon. Inmnaetus alboniger, Blyth, (Asiatic Society, Journal, 12th July, 1845,) closely banded on the thighs and flanks with narrow transverse black bands, and with the back and crest black, the breast being marked with large black drops. Limnaetus ........... ? sp. of a dark hair brown colour on the back and with the belly, flanks and thighs showing narrow transverse brown bands. Both the last mentioned species are so rare, that I have met with only a single specimen of each. 4. Hydrocissa n. sp. I met with this fine hornbill, for the first time since I have been in Malacca, only last December, when, singular to relate, it suddenly appeared in large flocks along the coast, and from the direction of the flight, I imagine the birds must have crossed over from Sumatra. They remained about a month, during which peviod several living examples passed through my hands. The Malays declared the birds had not been seen in Malacca for twenty years, and so far as my own four years’ experience goes, I can corroborate their statements. They have * This specimen is certainly a typical Limnaetus Kieneri, de Sparre, (Jerdon, Birds of India, I. p. 74). Lim. cristatellus of Temminck, is certainly quite distinct from this, and likewise quite distinct is Lim. caligatus, Rati. (Lim, albonigery Blyth), being easily distinguished by the large dark blotches to the white feathers of the breast, and by the white banded belly and thigh coverts. It would be very interesting to examine Dr. Maingay’s specimen which he be- lieves to agree in every respect with Jardine and Selby’s description ana figure,—Nat, Hist, SECRETARY, - 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 197 since all disappeared as mysteriously as they came, and I have not met with any for the last three months. I am quite at a loss to account for so singular and unusual a migration, and the only plau- sible conjectures are: either that it was produced by a very unusually strong monsoon, or from a failure in. the supply of fruits. So bold and fearless were the birds on their first arrival, that a few actually roosted, out of gun shot, however, on a very lofty and bushy Ptero- carpus tree, within the precincts of the town. The following descriptions were taken from living individuals of both sexes. 6+ Body and wings shining black, occiput with four inches of the dorsal surface of the neck black, the feathers slightly elongated. Throat, sides and a small ring at the root of the neck white, verging when in contact with the black neck patch into yellow- ish or even deep shining rufescent, though this last character is not always well marked. ‘Tail black at the base, for about a third, the remaining two-thirds pale chrome-yellow. Skin round the orbits splendid clear blue. Gular pouch pale yellowish white. Trides a very clear dark brown approaching to crimson in certain lights. Bill in the upper mandible whitish at the tip, gradually becoming yellow towards the centre, and crimson for about one inch from its base. Casque crimson throughout, with four or more vertical shallow depressions anteriorly, its anterior edge inclined obliquely from behind forwards. Distal half of the lower mandible from the tip yellowish white, becoming clearer towards a very narrow black basal band, and marked with 4-8 linear curved grooves, extending from behind forwards. Feet dull lead colour; length of dried specimen, 2 feet 93 inches ; length of wing, 154 inches ; of tail, 10% inches ; of tarsus, 25 inches. Bill at gape, 62 inches. @. Body black throughout, except the distal 2rds of tail which a g ) p 3 are of the same pale chesnut or creamy yellow as in the male. Bill throughout dirty yellow, becoming brownish or reddish brown for about half an inch from the base. Casque with a sharp anterior edge, inclined from behind slightly forwards, without the shallow grooves _ found in the male, the lower mandible also wanting them. | Flight undulating, rapid. Habits gregarious, in flocks of from 5 to | 8 individuals. 198 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. ; [ Ava. Should the species be undescribed, I propose the specific name migratorvus for it. I possess a male with two miniature whzte feathers in the tail, shorter in length and placed underneath the others. Malacca, March 26th, 1868. III. Notes on the Lion of Aboo, by Assistant Surgeon Grorge Kine, M. B., Bengal Establishment. I have collected the following particulars from various English Sportsmen in this part of Rajpootana and from native shikarees, all of whom have seen or shot lions, and as there is a wonderful harmony between the different accounts, I think they may be relied on. Both to Rajpoot and Bheel shikarees in these parts, the lion is , known, under the name of Untia-bagh : in Kattiawar, where it also occurs, it goes under the name of Sdwach. It is now beginning to get scarce in its old haunts in the jungle at the base of Mount Aboo— and in the neighbouring plains, but whether from extermination or from migration, it is difficult exactly to say. Iam inclined to think that the latter has a good deal to do with it. Having recently been stationed at Goonah in Central India, near which six or seven lions were shot in one season some years ago, I can bear testimony to the fact that the appearance of the animal there, was quite a surprise to both the European and Native sportsmen of the district, and that since that year not one has been seen. The news of the first, as observed at Goonah, was brought into the station by a native who described a large unkown tiger-like animal which had been seen to kill a kid near a neighbouring village. A party went out quite uncertain as to what large animal they could be going after, which had condescended to kill such small game as a kid. In the beat that followed, a lion was turned out and killed—a poor enfeebled specimen in very bad condition, and bearing the marks of numerous bites and tears,—which in the opinion of the shooters had probably been inflicted on him by the tigers into whose preserves he had intruded. Shortly after that, in other beats in the neighbourhood of the station, lions were turned out, and during the season, as just mentioned, six or seven were shot. One was seen to escape by swimming across a 6 : ~ ¢ wide nullah. Lions have since been shot west of Goonah near — Kotah, and in the Jungle between the latter place and Gwalior, two > > 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 199 _ or three were shot so lately as the hot weather of 1867. During a march in December last from Goonah to Jodhpore through Kotah, [ Boondee and Harowtee, I made particular enquiries, as I went along, as to the occurrence of the lion, but could discover nothing to lead me to think that it is a common animal in the Kotah or Boondee jungles, nor even a permanent resident there; but perhaps the natives _ do not distinctly distinguish it from the tiger. _ The lion is higher at the shoulder but shorter in the body than the tiger ; in other words, comparing a lion and tiger of equal weight, i the lion would be higher than the tiger, and the tiger larger than the lion. The head of the lion, even allowing for the deceptive _ appearance of size given by the mane of the male, is slightly larger than that of the tiger. A very fine large male lion shot near. Aboo ~ last year, measured, without stretching, forty-two inches in height | at the shoulder, and ten feet and half an inch from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. The hair of the mane was ten inches long. The lion has never the sleek coat, nor rounded form of the tiger, _ but is invariably lean and lanky. His ribs can be distinguished under the rough skin, and as he walks, the movement of the shoulder-blades | is very distinctly seen. The forelegs and all the feet are more massive than those of the tiger." The large size of the feet is particu- arly well marked in the young, the footprints of a lion cub of twenty-four months being nearly as large as those of a full grown ' tiger, but distinguishable from the latter by their greater lightness, as well as by their shape. The contrast in size between the foot- " prints of adults is not so great, the lion’s being but little larger than the tiger’s, but distinguished from the latter by the rounder outline, as if the lion walked more on the tips of its toes than the tiger. : The colour of the lion differs with age, but at all ages the belly and legs are lighter than the back. The general tint is a sandy yellowish dun, much like that of the camel. In the young the colour is very light, and the legs and sides are particularly so, while the | belly is almost white. On the light parts, there are very faint spots of a darker shade, in size about equal to a rupee. The testicles are small but prominent, and are set high up just under } th é anus; the penis is like that of the tiger. _ Unlike the tiger, the lion is rarely if ever seen in the hills at any 200 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | [ Ave. season. In the hot weather, lions frequent the banks of dry streams where the jungle is thick and scrubby, and during the day a very favourite cover near Aboo is in the dry sandy beds of streams where jaw jungle abounds. ‘“‘ Jaw” is the native name given indiscrimi- nately to a species of Tamarix, and to Trichaurus ericoides, both of — which grow freely, and form a dense cover from 4 to 6 feet high. If not disturbed, they often lie very near villages. They have been — known to haunt, for months at a time, high retired bare open spots on the plains near Aboo where there are only a few patches of jungle sufficient to afford them cover from the sun. In the hot weather © of 1867, four were shot near the village of Gole. They had lived there for three years, and during that time had done great havoc — among the villagers’ cattle. On the night of the arrival of the party that shot them, they killed four cows. 4 Lions are easier to beat out of their cover than tigers. In the ~ matter of courage the two species are very much alike. They feed 4 principally on wild pig, deer, and cattle, but are very fond of camels. The lioness has never more than three, and usually only two cubs. — At parturition she lies up separately like the tigress. The young remain with their mother for four or five years. They are said not to — attain their full size until their sixth or seventh year. Aboo, 30th May, 1868. IV. Notes ona supposed new species of Drymoipus Verreauar, by Ineut.-Col. R. C. Tytuer. Col. Tytler in a letter to Mr. A. Grote (dated Umballah, 2nd March, 1866,) forwards the description of a supposed new species of Drymoipus. He writes as follows :— ! ; ‘In my fauna of Dacca which was published several years ago, 1 mentioned a new species of bird (Megalurus), 1 had found at that — station, but no description of this bird as yet appeared. Iam inclined to believe, it is more a Drymotpus than a member of that genus. The following is a short description of the species. :. Length 64 inches, wing 23 inches, tail 3 inches, bill at top nearly > an inch, tarsus 1 inch. Head, neck and back black with light brown streaks — lower portion of back light chestnut brown, upper tail coverts black, each feather edged with chestnut brown, tail dark slate brown, each feather 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asvatic Soctety. 201 darker in the centre, and closely marked with faint bars, and with a white terminal band ; chin, cheeks, throat, breast, abdomen and under tail coverts white, rufous on the flanks and thighs, wings brown, with black centres to wing coverts, secondaries and tertiaries ; quill feathers brown edged outwardly with light brown. Bill, feet and claws, light brown, eyes dark, under wing coverts albescent. There ap- pears to be no difference in the colour of the sexes; if anything, the males are a little brighter. I found this bird in long grass at Dacca, where it was far from. being common, and I obtained very few.’— Should the species prove to be new, Col. Tytler suggests naming it after his friend T, Verreaux of Paris; but Dr. Jerdon is of opinion that it is probably his Graminicola Bengalensis (See ‘“ Birds of India,” Vol. II. p. 177). The changes in the plumage of the various species of Synvip# and allied families, are still very imperfectly re- corded. V. Notes on new Gastropoda from the Southern Provinces of Ceylon ; by Messrs. G. and H. Nevinu. [ Abstract. ] In this paper, tlie following new species have been described :— 1. Oxynoe cincta. 2. 5 > delicatula. 3. Cylindrobulla sculpta. | 4, Hi pusilla, 5. Lobiger viridis. * 6. Delphinula tubulosa. 7. Broderipia eximia. The five first named species belong to the interesting division Oprsruosranenta, and the two last ones to the Scurrerancutiara of the Prosoprancuta. The President then exhibited to the meeting one of the rude instru- _ ments, for approximately determining their latitude, used by the Captains of native coasting vessels, between Calcutta and Ceylon. He said, “ While visiting the coast in the early part of the present _ year, among other matters, I was interested in endeavouring to ascertain how it was that the commanders of native vessels, some of fair size, which are in the regular habit of passing from port to port along the 202 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Ave. coast, succeeded in navigating these vessels. They are for the most part uneducated natives of the country. They are entirely unacquainted with such instruments as are generally in use for determining the position of a vessel at sea. They have no chronometers, and no sextants. Indeed being strictly coasting vessels, they do not leave sight of land, unless, as is not unfrequently the case, they are com- pelled by stress of weather to do so. On enquiry I found that they used a very ingenious but rudely simple means of obtaining approxi- mately a knowledge of their latitude, when thus driven from shore. They do not care for any knowledge of their longitude, and never think of this. The little contrivance which I now exhibit, consists simply of a small rectangular thin board or piece of teak-wood. The one I have measures 34 inches long by 21 inches broad, and is about 5% inch thick. Through a small hole in the centre of this, determined by the intersection of the diagonals, a fine cord is passed, about the thickness of fine whipcord. The use of this little instrument depends upon the fact that the latitude of any place is roughly the same as the angle of elevation above the horizon of the polar star, and that any opaque object held vertically before the eye subtends an angle, which varies inversely as the distance of the object from the eye. If this dis- tance be constant, and the size of the opaque object constant, the angle subtended by it must be constant also. Knowing this, the application of contrivance [hold in my hand is simple. The small rectangular board igs held firmly in the left hand, while the cord from its centre (held in the right hand), is stretched from it to the eye, where the fingers of the right hand are held. As this cord, or the distance from the eye to the small rectangular board, is increased or diminished, so is the angle subtended by the opaque board, lessened or enlarged. Well, say the — Captain of one of these coasters is anchored at Vizagapatam, on the coast, he takes advantage of a clear night, and sitting on the deck of — his vessel, he carefully brings the line of the lower edge of this small rectangular board to coincide with the line of the horizon, or sea line, and moves the board slowly back and forward, until he brings the line of the upper edge to correspond with or to intersect the polar star. Carefully marking the length of the cord passing from his eye to the board, when this is the case, he puts a knot on the cord at that point. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic. Society. 203 If this be carefully done, he knows that whether near the coast or far from it, if he be in such a position that the horizontal line and the polar star coincide with the two edges of the board, while that board is held vertically before his eye at the distance indicated by the knot, that he must be in, or close to, the same parallel of latitude as the port at which the first observation was made. It matters not to him whether this be, in our mode of recording the latitude, 10°, or 15°, or 20°—all he cares to know, in his rude navigation, is that he is about the same parallel, and that if his destination be north or south of that port, he has only to steer accordingly. Similar observations being repeated at other ports, marks or knots corresponding to these are placed at the proper distances on the cord. These lengths have been determined now by innumerable separate observations, and these substitutes for sextants can be, I am told, pur- chased with the knots or marks all ready. Careful men test these again, quite as a Huropéan Captain would carefully ascertain the Index error of his sextant for himself, however admirably constructed it might be. I am told that a careful man will determine his latitude, as referred to the fixed points or ports on the coast, within 10 to 15 miles, by this very rude substitute for a sextant. , Iam indebted to the kindness of Stuart Hall, Esq., of the firm of Hall and Syme, Coconada, for the possession of the one I now ex- hibit. The names of the several ports along the coast are written, or rather incised, on the board in Telugu characters, corresponding in _ order and number to the knots and marks onthe cord. These are | 14 in all: the more important, Godavery, Madras, Negapatam, are marked on the end by little tufts of coloured cotton thread, red, blue, white. The specimen before the meeting had been in actual use for ‘some years.”’ The President also exhibited to the meeting a very inter- esting and valuable addition to the collection of Meteorites, in the Geological Museum. This was a beautiful specimen of the fall which occurred near Pultush, about 35 English miles from Warsaw, on ; the 30th of January in the present year. Several stones fell—the largest is in possession of a private party, the second largest went to the Imperial Mineral collection at St. Petersburg, and the third 204 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Ave. largest was secured for the lnperial Mineral Cabinet at Vienna. This had been cut for examination, and Dr. M. Hornes had, with his wonted liberality, sent to Mr. Oldham the specimen now exhibited, the second in size of the three pieces into which the whole was divided. It weighs 6 0z. 398 grs. The stone sent to Vienna was per- fect, that is, it was covered on all sides with a distinct crust tolerably uniform, and about ,4,th of an inch in thickness. The stone, as seen by the fresh fracture and polished surface, belongs to the same general group as several other well known falls. These are all grey, more or less dark, coloured brown locally, with more or less globular portions, distinguished from the rest of the mass by a nearly black colour with much finely divided Iron, a little Pyrites, and probably Troilite. This stone (Pultush) is very similar to that which fell at Gross Divina, Hungary, on July 24th, 1837. ‘The specific gravity is 3.660. The stone belongs to the third class, sporadosidéres,and to the second subdivision of that class, oligosidéres, of Profr. Daubrée’s classification— The receipt of the following communications was announced :— 1. The History of Burma, by Col. Sir A. Puayrg. Col. Phayre’s paper is a continuation of that published in the 32nd volume of the Journal of the Society. In that paper, the author traced the history of the Burma race from the earliest times to the arrival of the.two sons of the king of Tagrung at the site of the present town of Prome. The national chronicles from that time proceed with the history of the monarchy established at Tha ré Khél ta ra, to the east of Prome. In the present paper, the author condenses into a_ brief narrative the principal events of that monarchy and of the succeeding dynasties of Burma kings, which reigned at Pagan, on the Trawaddy river, about 180 miles above Prome. 2. Onsome new species of Gastropoda from the Southern Provinces of Ceylon, by Messrs G. and H. Nevill. . 3. Authors of Armenian Grammars, from the earliest stages of Ar- menian Literature up to the present day, by J. Avpau, Hse. Liprary. The following additions were made to the Library since the meeting held in July last— 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 205 PRESENTATIONS. *,* The names of Donors in capitals. Brahma dharma.—Tue Catcurra Brauma SamAsa. Brahma dharma, with commentaries. —THE SAME. Brahma dharma, in Nigari characters.— Tue sau. _ Brahma dharma Vyékhyéna.—The same. Brahma dharma mata o Visvasa,—THE saME. Dharma charcha,—THE saMg. Dharma sikshé.—Tux samz. Praétyahika Brahmopdsané.—TueE samx. Brahma stotra.—TueE sau. Prarthané.—Tue samu. Atmatattva vidyé.—THeE sAME. Pauttalika pravodha.—Tue same. Tattva vidya, part _—Tue same. _ Anushthana paddhati.i—Tus san. Pravachana Sangraha.—TueE samp. Maghotsava.—T HE saME. Brahma Samaja Vaktrita, 3 Nos.—Tue samen. Vedantic Doctrines vindicated.—Tur samu. Selections from several books of the Vedanta by Raja Rama- mohana Kaya.—Tue same. Several Tracts on Hindu Theism.—Tux same. The Signs of the Times.—TueE same. _ The Theist’s Prayer-Book.—Tux same. he Doctrine of The Christian Resurrection —TaE same. | Proceedings of the Royal Society. —Tuz Royan Socmry or Lonpon. _ __ Journal Asiatique, No. 40.—Tue Astatic Socmry or Paris. Bulletin de la Societé de Géographie; Mai, 1868.—Tue Guocgra- _ PHicaL Society oF Panis. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia i for 1867.—Tue Acapmmy. 5 Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Vol. VI. part I.—Tum same. Les Manuscrits Lampongs en possession de M. le Baron Sloet van der Beele, publiés par H. N. van der Tuuk.—Tuu Aurion. 206 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. Records of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. I. part 1—Tue Suppt. Grou, Surv. or Inpta. Another Copy.—Tae Govt. or Benaat, Paleontologia Indica, Vol. V. part 6.—TuHrE same. Annual Report of the Lahore Lunatic Asylum for the year 1867.— THE SAME. Report on the Police of the town of Calcutta and its suburbs for 1867.—TueE same. Note on the importance of the Spectroscopical Examination of the vicinity of the Sun, when totally eclipsed, for the determination of the nature and extent of its luminous atmosphere, and on the partial identity of that atmosphere with the Zodiacal light. By Prof. E. W. Brayley.—Tur Avuruor. A lecture on the life of Ramaduliéla De, by Girisachandra Ghosa.— Tue AvtTHor. The Calcutta Journal of Medicine, Vol. I. No. 6.—Tue Eprror. Padmadtta Kavyam by Siddhanata Vidyavagisé :—Cot, J. C. Haveuron. Addresses delivered at the Hitoishini Samaja of Cutch Vehara.— THE SAME. Prasannaraghava Nataka, edited by Govindadeva Sastri.---TuE Eprror. Grammaire Polyglotte, par Le P. Minas Médici.—J. Avpaut, Hse. PURCHASED. Reise Seiner Majestit Fregatte Novara um die Erde, Botanischer Theil, Band I. Algen. Revue et Magazin de Zoologie, No. 4, 1868. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, No. 6, 1868. Journal des Savants, Avril, 1868. Comptes Rendus, Nos. 16—21, 1868. Revue des Deux Mondes, 15th Mai, Ist June, 1868. Revue Archeologique, V. 1868. Revue Linguistique, Avril, 1868. Les Quatrains de Khéyam, traduits du Persan par J B. Nicolas. Visible Speech, the Science of Universal Alphabetics, by A. M. Bell. HixcuaNGE. Atheneum, for May, 1868. PROCEEDINGS ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Srepremper, 1868. —_}— A Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday, the 2nd instant, at 9 o’clock Pp. Mm. | T. Oldham, Hsq., LL. D. President, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following presentations have been received since the last meet- ing. 1. From Dr. G. King— A. skeleton of a lion. 9. From the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paris— A copy of Collection Orientale, Le Livre des Rois, Vol. VI. 8. From Maulavi Muhammad Zuhtrulhag— A copy of the Diwdn-i-Sultdn. 4. From the author— Two copies of a pamphlet, entitled Statistics of Longevity, No. IT, by Captain T. C. Anderson, Garrison Barrack-Master, Fort William. The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting were balloted for, and elected as Ordinary members :— Baron von Ernsthausen. R. M. Adam, Esq. 2 EK. Ch. van Cutsem, Esq. 3 R. V. Stoney, Esq. —C. Lazarus, Esq. The following gentlemen are candidates tor ballot at the October meeting :—— . W. Eddowes, Esq., M. D., Assistant Surgeon, Hrinpura lregular Force. | 208 - Proceedings of the Asratic Society. (Sept. Proposed by the President, seconded by the Secretary. Dr. 8. M. Shircore, Civil Surgeon, Twenty-four Pergunnahs. Proposed by Dr. Partridge, seconded by the Secretary. In accordance with the notice given at the last meeting, A. Grote, Ksq., was balloted for and elected an Honorary Member of the Society. The election of H. Blochmann, Hsq., as General Secretary of the Society, reported at the last meeting, was confirmed. The President said that while the ballot was proceeding, he would submit for the inspection of the Society, a magnificent specimen of a Meteorite, which he had recently received. This was a portion of the known fall which took place at Klein Menow, near Furstenberg in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, on the 7th October 1861, in the day time, about half-past one o’clock. The stone, as it fell, was tolerably perfect, being coated in most places with the usual vitreous crust. This, in the present fall, was much more rough and irregular than was usual. The stone was purchased entire by Baron Reichenbach, who then was forming a fine collection of these objects, and it has since then remained with him. He declined to cut it, so as to allow.other collections to have portions. More recently he has been anxious to dispose of it, and about the beginning of the present year, it passed into the hands of Wm. Nevill, Esq., Godalming, whose collection of Meteorites is known to all interested in these enquiries, as the finest private collection now existing. Indeed his series will rank fourth or fifth among all collec- tions, either public or private. To the kindness of Mr. Nevill, he was indebted for this splendid specimen, which is about one-third of the whole mass. As yet he had only been able to examine the polished surface of the mass where cut—and it is not easy to determine the exact structure of the fall in this way. The members would see the appears ance it presents. Round sub-angular and occasionally globular-looking masses of a darker colour are irregularly scattered though the mass of the block, which consists of a kind of net workofiron. The mass is magnetic. From Mr. Nevill, he had also received a specimen of the rarest of all known meteorites hitherto only known to be represented in his own collection andin that of the British Museum. The only known — fragment originally belonged to the Lettsom collection which passed into Mr, Nevill’s hands, and was divided with the British Museum, ania es ~ 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 209 “The fall he spoke of is that which took place on the 17th May, 1830, at Perth in Scotland. - The President also said, he had brought to the meeting, thinking it might interest some of the members, a series of beautifully executed models of the most celebrated large diamonds, known to exist. These models are very well executed, and give an excellent idea, both of the size, brilliancy, colour, &c., of these valuable stones. The President then said that, subsequently to the last meeting of Council, he had received communications on a subject which was of great local as well as general interest, and which had been the source of a good deal of intellectual excitement recently, he alluded to the recent total Eclipse of the Sun, which, as the members were aware, had occurred. under conditions as to the relative positions of the Sun, Moon and Earth, nearly as favourable as could possibly be. An un- usually protracted continuance of the totality of the Eclipse was the result, and consequently great preparations had been made for the careful observation and record of the facts. Coming in the middle of the _ Monsoon there was, of course, a very great probability that the sky would be so covered with clouds, that nothing would be seen, as was very much the case in Calcutta. But there were chances in favour of success, and these have been fully seized. The matter was one of such immediate interest, that he had exercised the authority granted to him and, anticipating the consent of the Society, he had arranged that these papersshould take precedence of the papers announced for the meeting. If time permitted after the reading of the communications on the Helipse, they could proceed to the other papers. Col. Gastrell would read a paper by Captain Tanner, and then he would ask Major Macdonald to read his notes. Remarks on the Total Eclipse of the eighteenth of August, 1868, as ob- served at Beejapoor, situated in EH. Long. 75° 50’ 15” Lat. 16° 49’ 35” N. and 16 miles north of the central line of eclipse.—By Captain TANNER. | - The morning of the 18th August broke dark and cloudy at Beeja- poor, and the high wind, which had prevailed for several days previ- ously, had in no way abated. 210 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Sepr. We took up our position on a lofty tower some 70 feet high, one of the numerous ruins of this far famed ruined city. From this alti- tude, we could obtain a commanding view of the whole surrounding country, a position most favourable for observation of the general phenomena of the eclipse. I selected a spot near the top of the exterior spiral staircase of the tower, protected entirely from the wind, and where I could make my observations in a comfortable and easy attitude. Our party was composed of Captain Haig, R. H., G. T. S. ; Professor Kern Luximun, M. A. of the Dekhan College, Mr. Hunter, C. 8.; Dr. Kielhorn of the Dekhan College, and myself. Captain Haig was furnished with one of the Royal Society’s Spec- troscopes. He had fitted this instrument to one of my 6 inch transit Theodolites, in order to command greater magnifying power than he had with the telescope of his spectroscope. Professor Kern Luximun had a 2+ in. telescope of 30 in. focal length, which was equatorially mounted. His instrument was furnished with an eye-piece of 60 power, possessing a scale, or micrometer with which he intended measuring the altitudes of the red protuberances. The high wind, however, unfortunately overturned the instrument, and so much disarranged it, that he had to substitute a power of 75 instead. T had a 10-inch Theodolite possessing a remarkably good telescope of 1} in. aperture, and 18 inches focal length; with an eye-piece of 46 power. I had intended observing with a telescope of 3 in. aper- ture, but it did not arrive from Nimar in time before I left Poonah. Kern Luximun had previously determined the error of our chrono- meter, which was verified by an independent observation by Captain Haig and myself, in the afternoon, and we thought we were welk prepared for the coming event ere the Ist contact took place. By some mistake in applying the error of the chronometer, or from some other cause, the first contact took place before we expected it, and | I was the only one of the party ready to note the event. Owing, however, to clouds, I was prevented observing the exact instant at which it occurred, and my observation must have been some 40 seconds late. I made a sketch of the segment of the sun, obscured by the moon at the instant of my observation, and by applying it toa dia- gram previously constructed by Kern Luximun for this purpose, a 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 215 estimated that the Ist contact had taken place about 50 seconds before my observation. Afterwards, by comparing the segment with a similar one at the time of last contact, I estimated the time to be about 35 seconds, we therefore adopted the mean of these estimated times as the instant of first contact. The sky now remained for a considerable time over-cast with cirro- cumuli and fast flying nimbi, but we occasionally obtained views of the progress of the moon across the sun. The light except near the time of totality waned imperceptibly, and when even as much as Zths of the sun’s disc was hidden, there was hardly any diminution in its intensity. During the last few seconds before totality, the light gave way very suddenly. I saw darkness approaching rapidly from the west, where the gloom appear- ed like a vast black thunderstorm. It was on us in a few seconds; clouds had hidden the sun just previous to his total obscuration, and from their density and extent, we almost gave up hope of seeing any of the interesting phenomena we had come so far to observe. Kern Luximun, however, noted approximately the time of commence- ment of the total phase. I myself was unwilling to believe that the totality had actually commenced, so incomplete was the darkness. At this time and throughout the total pbase, it was remarkable that we, could see to read and write in pencil, could take observations and read. the second’s hands of our watches with great ease. The light in the eastern sky was noted by me to be fading at 9. 8.20 M. IT’, and had completely disappeared in 25 seconds. We were now enveloped in a dense leaden gloom which overspread the whole expanse of country visible to us. There was nothing remarkable about the colour of the sky or clouds, the darkness was that of ordinary twilight early on a dull grey morning. Shortly after the time of greatest obscuration, light began to break in the western sky (a small patch free of cloud being visible), and presently we caught a view of the eclipse through the upper thin stratum of cirro-cumuli. So bright was the corona immediately around the moon’s limb, that for a moment I was under the impression that the eclipse instead of being total was only annular. Its light died away completely at a distance of half the moon’s diameter. Tt appeared to me and to Professor Kern Luximun to be quite regular 212 _ Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [Supr. and evenly, and softly shaded off all round. But Captain Haig fancied that he detected some slightly marked radiating lines in its structure. The eclipse being now quite clear, we commenced observations with our different instruments. At my first view of the moon through my telescope, three red prominences met my gaze. The one marked a, Plate IV., at my first hurried glance appeared to be sharply defined, pointed, and of homogeneous composition. I immediately made a sketch of it. The double flat broad protuberance marked 6, appeared as depicted on the sketch to be composed of well defined hard streaks or lines slightly radiating. The Professor afterwards aptly likened them to the fingers of the hands slightly separated: each part of this double protuberance being composed of perhaps 6 to 10 such fingers or lines. I then sketched them and casting my eye round the moon’s limb again, to see that no others had escaped notice, returned to examine the flame a more minutely. I found it to be composed of streaks of flame-coloured matter, not lying parallel or nearly so, to each other as in spot b, but overlapping and somewhat twisted one upon another, precisely as the large flame of a burning mass of inflammable matter is composed of smaller tongues of fire: the streaks being, however, rather finer in proportion than the tongues of fire to which I have likened them. They were of a darker colour than the groundwork of the protuberance, and were more of a dark blood-red than I have shewn it in the sketch. The edge of the protuberance was ragged, being composed of the ends of the streaks just described. I now made a larger and more detailed sketch of this protuberance, and again returned to the telescope, when I found that another small red spot had in the meantime appeared. I marked it at c,, and Professor Kern Luximun at ¢, After noting its posi- tion, I observed the general appearance of the eclipse, when in a few seconds the sun burst forth from behind the moon. The sudden contrast between the deep twilight of the total phase and the sunshine imparted even by so small a portion of the sun’s disc as was at first visible, made it appear to us all that the light of day was complete. At the first appearance of the limb of the sun, the red prominences all disappeared from my view, but Kern Luximun noticed them two minutes after that event. We now, aided by our rough original sketches, and our memory, each made another diagram, showing the position, shape, and structure of the protuberances. The manner in 3 ¢ 4 3 3 = } a €T IMAGE, DIE 865 about 90 seconds befor: Augus' elescope with eye piece of 41 Apnearance of Total Sol fo Dower. @nd of totality as seen in a Plate IV. TUNEL “gO *sjods uns 09 squiy JO syed ayteoddo lo Aueat ‘21a somo yT Jaqatro.roryy yy tA. OSInSkaW Quit sans wos so0ueysiq: “AS di tog toe Ale) eiparmuae ey0ds ung Prommence which appeared about 20 seconds fore the end of tolal phase showing no lines or streaks, noted by Keru Luximon, The same prominence as noted by me. @ About 2) 10" high. h About 4 of a ¢ Perhaps 20” Pracdgs, As Socy. Bengal, Sept. 143. 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Socrety. 213 which these representations of the eclipse bore comparison with each other elicited an exclamation of surprise from Dr. Kielhorn. The comparison shewed as follows :— Protuberance a was shewn by the Professor straighter and not so pointed as by me. The streaks composing its body, the angle at which it met the moon’s limb, and its height and position correspond- ed very well. The position, structure, and height of the double spot 6, the same in both sketches. The spot marked by the Professor at ¢,, was noted by me at e,. I am inclined to give way to the position he has assigned to this pro- minence, as I believe that in my hurry I may have marked it in an inverted position with regard to the double spot b; it may be re- marked that we have both placed it at the same distance from 3b. Captain Haig after just glancing at the sun through his telescope, and satisfying himself as to the existence of red flames, proceeded at once to examine them, and the corona with his spectroscope. The latter though most markedly visible to the naked eye gave but a faint continuous spectrum, whereas the red flames although totally invisible to unaided sight, shone out brilliantly and conspicuously across the dark disc of the moon. Captain Haig’s report to Colonel Walker fully describes his observa- tions, which he hopes will corroborate those of other observers who have been furnished with complete apparatus for analyzing the con- stitution of the corona and red flames, Kern Luximun and I are almost unfortunate in being perhaps the first observers to notice the streaky lined structure of the red pro- tuberances. I would therefore offer the following suggestions as to the probable or perhaps possible reason for our having noticed them. When the sun is ordinarily observed on a bright warm day, the tremulous motion of the atmosphere so interferes with magnified views of sun-spots, that the minute markings of their structure are almost if not quite lost and obliterated. Now we observed through a single gap in the clouds. The earth and atmosphere had not been warmed at all by the sun’s rays that morning, and we therefore saw the sun through a perfectly steady and homogeneous atmosphere, undisturbed and unbroken by heated tremulous vapour ; the streaks and lines com- ? posing the red protuberances were therefore seen by us distinct from 214 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Supr. each other. In the double flame 6, even the most careless observer could not fail to notice the radiating lines or streaks, and it only required ordinary care to detect the same phenomenon in a, the lines composing this, as before remarked, being finer and more minute than in 0. The red protuberance c, shewed no markings, We judged from our sketches and from estimation that a attained about 2’ of altitude. Professor Spurer of the German astronomical party who obtained a glimpse of about 4 seconds’ duration of the total phase, judged this protuberance to be about 3’ high. He had so short a time for observation that he mistook 6 for a single point. I had an opportunity of comparing our small instruments with the magnificent ones furnished by the Prussian Government to their observers who unfortunately selected a spot some 15 miles from Beejapoor, whence the sun was invisible almost throughout the eclipse. My telescope bore the tests it was put to in a most satisfactory man- ner; its definition is surprising. On the morning of the eclipse, the sun spots as seen through my telescope, could have been faithfully depicted with the point of a fine etching pen; with the other tele- scopes I examined, the same spots would have to be drawn with a camel’s hair pencil and shaded with indian ink. Withthe 46 power eye-piece Saturn’s ring, one of his bands, and one of his satellites, are visible; the fecula on the sun, especially in the neighbourhood of spots, being clearly perceptible. The following table shews our time observations :— Computed by; Observed |Diff. Proff. Pogson.| by us. g sabia Ist Contact, .i....... 7 50 54] 7 50 25 | 29 |Hstimated by Captain Tanner’s Observations, Totalityeommenced,, 9 2 9] 9 1 49 | 20 |Estimated by Kern Luxi- mun. Totality ended,...... 9 7 21| 9 6 59 | 22 |Noted by Captain Tanner ™ and Kern Luximun. Last contact, .........| 10 28 44/10 28 14] 30 [Noted by Capt. Haig and 2 seconds later by Capt. Tanner.* * Captain Tanner’s time was noted when a high, well defined mountain on the moon’s limb left the sun. Captain Haig’s observation was made when this mountain was distinctly projected on the sun’s disc, ae A 1868. ] Proceedings of the Aswatic Society. 215 The ist contact was made very near the apex, and the last contact at a point 165 degrees from the apex counting round by the right. The computed places were Ist contact, 1° to right of apex, and last contact 173° from apex round by the right. We have not yet ac- counted for the discrepancies either of time or position. Record of the Eclipse of the 18th August 1868, as seen froma hall m the vicinity of “ Bezwarra’” on the “ Kistna” river, at latitude, 16° 21’ 10” North, and longitude 80° 43' 20” Hast.—By Masor J. Macponaxp. The place of observation was well chosen. It commanded a view of the valley of the Kistna, which stream was then in flood, and covered the ground south-east of my station with water; this bright surface of several square miles was admirably suited to show the gloom of the shadow : to the west and north west the range of the “ Condapillay” hills varying in height from 1000 to 1500 feet higher than my station, and distant about 12 to 15 miles, furnished a contrast in colour and outline, exactly required for the purpose of noting the difference of light on the landscape. North and east, the whole champaign was a field of springing rice, broken by small hills and dotted with groves. Thus [had a landscape adapted for every purpose I required. That Imight make a fair comparison with the degree of lght during the period of totality with that of an ordinary twilight when the sun is under the horizon, 1 took up my post nearly an hour before sunrise, and carefully noted the prominent objects of the land- scape, as they first appeared in the dawning light. These were numer- ous and varied, from distances of miles and thousands of yards to human features placed at distances of 30 to 10 yards from my station. To sketch the appearance of the corona, I prepared a diagram show- ing the deep shadow of the moon; and for facility of comparison, I drew circles round the disc increasing from 1, of the radius to 7). Nine of these circles gave a space round the moon which I judged would be sufficient to show all the brightness of the corona. Thus prepared, I took my station. I noted the temperature of a thérmometer attached to the tripod of my telescope to be 96° in the sun, immediately before the commencement of the eclipse ; and at 8-18 A. M., the moon’s shadow crossed the light of the sun, and the eclipse 216 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Sepr. commenced. I supposed myself to be about 9 minutes north of the central line of eclipse, and calculated that I should have a period of to- tality equal to 5 minutes and a half. I observed with a 120-power telescope by Dollond, through a double glass of red and brown. The power was sufficient to show the broken outline of the moon, and as totality approached, the bright lights on the high grounds in the moon were shown most beautifully on the illuminated edge of the moon’s disc. Interested by the account given in Major Tennant’s paper as read by him before the Asiatic Society at Calcutta, regarding the observations made at Ragusa in March 1867, by Ensign Kiha of the Austrian navy through a cobalt blue glass, I tried to observe through a glass of bright Prussian blue ; but when only ten minutes from totality, I found it impossible to look at the sun through such a pale colour. So it is inexplicable tome, how Ensign Kiha was able to look at the sun through a brighter colour under less favorable circumstances. During totality, I looked for 3 minutes through the blue glass, and thought the appearance of the corona and flames to be then infinitely more beautiful than when seen through the darker glass, or by the naked eye. : During totality, the mercury of the thermometer in the open air and attached to the telescope tripod fell to 83.5 degrees being a fall of twelve and a half degrees. A minimum thermometer, in the verandah of Colonel Winscomb’s house, fell to 82°. Unfortunately the reading of the maxi- mum thermometer placed in the same situation, could not be depended upon. _ There was no appreciable change on an Aneroid Barometer during the progress of the eclipse. With reference to my remarks onthe ight during totality, I will record a few of the facts from which I made my comparison. First, I noticed hills left and right of the flooded valley of the Kistna at distances of three and four miles. They were discernible during the totality. ; Secondly, A house painted with a light colour, overlooking the town of Bezwarra, was situated on the side of a hill distant about 2000 yards from my station. Two or three hundred feet higher up, on the face of the same hills, I noticed a precipice of dark rock. Both the light and dark objects remained visible. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Socrety. 217 Thirdly, { could distinctly see the roofs and walls of all the bunga- lows in the plain underneath me; also the general outline of the town, the line of the Canal, and asa matter of course, the river beyond the town was clearly discernible; the landscape in this direction varied in objects from 500 to 2500 yards. Fourthly, Before the eclipse, I noted the celours of dark and white cattle grazing in a field immediately below my station and distant about 600 feet in a straight line from that spot. During totality, I could still recognise the difference in colour, and also distinguish a large white stone [ had remarked in a field about 100 yards beyond the cattle. Fifthly, In the middle of the totality, I could recognise the features of human beings up to 20 yards. I believe I could have recognised the features of a white person as far as 30 yards off. Only two stars, Regulus and Sirius, were visible. The planets Mars and Venus could also be seen. Hazy clouds everywhere, except when dis- pelled by the sun’s rays, prevented numerous stars being seen, which ought to have been visible in the gloom. Still, I must record my opi- nion, that the accounts I have read of the great darkness on the earth during the progress of a total eclipse, are greatly exaggerated, or at all events are not applicable to eclipses under low latitudes, when the great height of the sun throws such a mass of light to be reflected from the uneclipsed portion of the heaven. In this case I carefully noticed all the facts I intended to report upon, and did not lose my presence of mind, when recording them in turn. The eclipse, occurring so early in the morning, prevented any appearance of those peculiarities amongst birds and beasts which have been so descanted upon, but had it occurred in the afternoon, I can quite believe in the truth of such facts as the birds roosting, and animals moving towards their folds. As a spectacle, nothing can be imagined which is equal or similar to atotal eclipse of the sun. The grandeur of the great shadow, is so immediately relieved by the brilliant glory of the surrounding halo—that all sense of awe is lost in admiration of a sight so astonishingly beautiful. The moment of returning light was especially wonderful in its effect and appearance, instantly illuminating the whole landscape with a brilliant pale blue colour. In the 3rd and 4th 218 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Szpr. quadrants, the length of rays from the corona were far larger than from the 2nd and 8rd; the greatest flaming projections rose in those quadrants, so it appears evident that the great mass of light is in the sun’s atmosphere, and it is difficult to conceive that it can be caused by anything except simple combustion, such as we witness in our own fires. (The known motion of the sun through space indicates that it thus obtains its constant supply of oxygen, and its great rate of progression, rotation and revolution round its orbit of momenta may be accepted as a sufficient exciting cause of ignition and light in itself.) The brightness of the corona appears to be due to the dispersion of the sun’s rays in our atmosphere. It is to be hoped that the experiments by the properly supplied expedition at Guntoor will determine this point to the satisfaction of those who are qualified to weigh the facts. In my sketch (Plate 5) I think that I have made the great flames far smaller than they appeared in comparison with the moon. The great flame in the fourth quadrant, when viewed through the telescope, looked at least a third of the moon’s diameter. The lightsin the 3rd quadrant were not visible after totality; they were golden coloured and were detached from the moon’s surface. The outline of the moon was broken round all the edges of its surface. August 18th, 1868, on board my boat in the Kistna Canal. Dr. Partridge then exhibited the drawings of the eclipse, as seen from on board the French steamer ‘‘ LaBourdonnais.’”’ The drawings had been made by the Doctor and the Pilot of the steamer. A conversation took place in which several members joined. Dr. Partridge drew attention to the admirable observation and description of the eclipse observed in 1860, in Spain by W. De La Rue, and _pub- lished in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society for 1862, and referred to several points in which the present observations con- firmed these earlier ones. x * 2 * * 2 The President said they had also received from some other members of the Society a few observations noted at various places not within the limits of totality of the Eclipse. Mr. F, Fedden sent a sketch shewing the several phases of the obscuration as seen at Bhooj in Cutch. Mr. A.B. Wynne also sent an excellent series of diagrams shewing the successive Sketch of the SOLAR ECLIPSE 18TH august 1868. Ass seen from Cox. Winscoms’s house at Baijwarra, Madras Presidency BY Masor Jonny Micponaxp, Deputy Surveyor General and Offs Supdt. Revenue Tower Circle. Surveys, Plate V. 1, Sept. I S. Socy. Benga! A Procdgs, ree y hy = ” UPPER LIMB. 4 ; Titho, at the Surveyor General's Office, Galcutta, October 1868. i LOWER LIMB. t ? i 1868. | Proceedings of the Asvatic Soctety. ' 219 appearances at the same place. With regard to the frequently noted effects of an eclipse on animals, Mr. ©. Oldham, who saw the eclipat at Madras, writes ‘‘ the crows roosted ; my fowls went on as usual picking up their food, and apparently undisturbed, but as the light returned again, my neighbour’s fowls commenced crowing furiously.— Dogs were totally unaffected.”” It was remarkable that every observer agreed in noting that the darkness resulting from the eclipse was not by any means so great as they had anticipated. This might be due to the hazy state of the atmosphere, diffusing the light very largely. The beautiful drawings which had been laid before theSociety all agreed also in a very remarkable way in the position and character of the red protuberances; whether in those from Beejapoor on the west side of the Peninsula, those from Bezwarra on the east, or those from the Bay of Bengal still further to the Hast. The latter, the sketches taken from the deck of the steamer La- Bourdonnais,were peculiarly interesting and valuable as shewing the very _marked elongation of the corona in a given direction, a fact also noticed by Mr. C. Oldham at Madras; and which had frequently been obser- ved before. The Society he was confident would join with him in thanking Major Macdonald and Cap. Tanner for their communications, _ and also in expressing a hope that they would obtain a record of the more detailed observations with the spectroscope, and the polariscope. As yet they were only aware that these observations had been for- tunately successful. It was a great disappointment and a source of deep regret that the admirably equipped party sent out by the Prus- sian Goverament had been so unfortunate. The paper by J. Avdall, Esq., On Armenian Grammars, the receipt of which was announced at the last meeting, was laid before the | Society. It contains a valuable list of all grammars of that language, with short critical notes. The President then called upon Babi Rajendralala Mitra, to read his Notes on Inscriptions from Mathura. (Abstract.) Sometime ago in digging into a mound, while clearing a site for a new kutcheri for the collectorate of Mathura, the workmen came to what _ turned out on further excavation to be the remains of a large Buddhist monastery. The building was of the red sandstone now so common in Delhi and Agra, and contained a number of statues more or less muti- 220 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. | [Sepr. lated, of the same material. The figures were all Buddhist, and they decided the character of the building in which they were found. Among the sculptures were the bases of several large pillars bearing inscrip- tions in corrupt Sanskrit and the Gupta character. Some of the statues had similar inscriptions. The bulk of the stones, sculptures, and statues found were broken into ballast for the repair of roads, but a few were rescued for the Society’s Museum. Among these are several which bear inscriptions, and the paper supplies transcripts and translations of these. Three of the inscriptions bear dates, and according to one of them, the monastery was founded by the Scythian king Ooerki, Sanskrit Huvishka, B. C. 50—80, whose dominion in India seems to have extended so far down as Mathura. Another dated inscription gives fragment of the name of a king which has been conjectured to be Vasudeva. The President then called on Mr. Blochmann, to read his Notes on certain Persian Poets styled Sultan. Notes on the Poems of Prince A’zam uddin, a grandson of Tipt Sultan, and on thee other Persian Poets, known under the name of Sultdn, by Mr. H. Buocumann. Among the presentations announced this evening the Diwédn-t- Sulidn deserves a short notice. The book contains a collection of ghazals, or love poems, by Prince Muhammad A’zamuddin, a grandson of Tipi Sultan. The name of the father of the poet is Prince Muhammad Shukrullah, whose brother,Prince Ghulam Muham- mad, is the only surviving son of Tipu. Prince A’zamuddin, as I am informed by the donor, was born in 1809 at Shahnagar, near Calcutta. | Like his brother, Shéhzidah Bashiruddin, who lives at present at Chinsurah, he was a man of extensive learning. He died in Septem- ber, last year. According to the custom of all Persian poets,—a custom which has — become an established rule since the times of Sa’di,—Prince A’zamuddin wrote under an assumed name. He chose the name of Suwltén. The collection is stated in the preface to have been made by Mir Ghulam’ Ali — of Calcutta, who says that the poems of the Prince amount to fifty thousand lines, and upwards. Of these the book before the Meeting contains a selection of about six thousand lines. Before the book was sent to press, the Prince had been asked to revise some of the ~ 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 221 ghazals ; but he declined on the ground that he had wasted sufficient time in the composition. Strict Muhammadans look upon making poems as a worldly, and therefore useless; occupation; they make, however, an exception in favour of religious poetry. Thus Badaont, the historian of Akbar’s time, one of the greatest zealots the Islam has produced, complains in his work* that, in his youth, be occupied him- self with making poems, an occupation fit, as he says, for the ages of heathenism, and at: variance with the spiritual nature of man. It must, however, be borne in mind that Orientals are apt to explain love poetry, or poems sung in praise of wine, in a mystical sense, in which case they consider such poetry lawful; and although there are examples on record of poets who freely indulged in love and wine, as Pughdni of Shtrdz, who provided himself with a leg of beef, and remained concealed in a tavern during the Ramazan, the instances are far more numerous of those who lived abstemiously, and never per- haps touched a drop of wine. For a European mind it may look like an anomaly that a Muhammadan poet should choose to speak of forbidden things as wine, often in the most sensual manner, in order to describe the mysterious aspirations of the heart to God; but the biographies of many poets, and the evidence of their works, as in the case of Nizami, prove the anomaly to be a fact. Hence the names of great poets, as Nizami, Sa’di, and Hafiz, appear now-a-days-surrounded by a halo of sanctity, and their tombs are frequently resorted to by pil- grims. The example of the classical poets compels a modern poet to speak of love and wine; in fact, besides these two subjects, he has little freedom. He is even tied in the choice of his metres. The Gul 7 _ Kushti, a poem by Mir Najat, the Zalékhd by a poet like Firdausi, are continually found fault with, because they are not written in the metres which are now believed to be appropriate. For an Indian especially, whose language is not Persian, it is a difficult thing to _ write Persian verses. This can only be accomplished after years of | study ; for the metrical.art will require as much application as the study of the language itself. The language of Prince A’zamuddin’s poems is,on the whole, flowing. _ It shews occasional traces of archaisms, which prove the learning of the poet and his Indian origin; and although his thoughts do not * Vol. III. p. 239, ed. Bibl. Ind, 222 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Sepr. vise to the sparkling conceptions of Nacir ’Ali of Lahér, Pjaz of Agrah, and Bedil, the great poets of the time of Aurangzeb, nor to those of Mirza Nausha of Delhi, the Persian poet of our age, they are pretty, and abound in elegant allusions. I adda few particulars on three other Persian poets, who have written under the poetical name of Sultdn. The name of the first is Sultén Muhammad, son of Shibabuddin, a nobleman of the Persian town of Qum, which lies half-way between Teheran and Icfahén. According to the Atashkadah, Sultan Muham- mad became the chief of the town; but it is not mentioned when he lived. To judge from the few verses quoted in the Atashkadah, he belongs to the Mutaakhkharim, or modern poets, 7. e., the poets of the last three centuries. The following Rubd’: is by him. An dil kth ba ’aish sarfardzt mikard, Bar hajr nazar bah turktdzt mikard, Di dar khum 1 dn du zulf 1 purtab wu khumash Didam kth nishastah bid u baat makard. A heart which once engaged in life’s giddy whirls, And looked with scorn profound on lover’s pain, Gets soon entangled in a fair maiden’s curls, And plays, a helpless captive, with his chain. Another poet, who adopted the poetical name of Sulidn, is the re- nowned ’Alf Quli, better known in Indian history as Khdén Zamén, a title bestowed upon him by the Emperor Akbar. Khan Zaman was the son of Haidar Sultan, an Uzinak noble, who had attached himself, im Persia, to Huméytn, Akbar’s father. When the exile of that monarch ended with his conquest of Qandahar, Khan Zaman was raised by Huméaytin tothe dignity of an amirulwmard, or principal grandee. He distinguished himself in the wars which led to Huméa- yuin’s restoration in India. The greatest service which he rendered to Akbar, a few months after Humaytin’s death, was the victory which he gained, at the head of Akbar’s advance guard, over the much larger army of Hému in the battle of Panipat, on the 13th November, 1556. I mention this, because two passages in Elphinstone’s History of India (Second edition, pp. 462 and 496) read as if the battle of Panipat had been won by Bavrdm Khan on the fifth of November, 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 223 1556. But the text of Baddonf, printed by our Society, fixes the thirteenth as the day of the battle,* and also shews that Bairdm, toge- ther with Akbar, was at some distance from Panfpat, and could only send reinforcements. Yor this victory, which enabled Akbar to enter into Dihli and Agrah, ’Ali Quli received the title of Khdin Zamdn (an abbreviation for Khdén i Zaman), or the Khén of the age. After this we find Khan Zaman driving the Afghans from the provinces east of Agrah, and conquering Lak’hnau. In courage and martial genius he is placed by Badaoni above Bairém ; but his unruly and overbear- ing temper, which ultimately led him into open rebellion, seems to have been the cause why Bairém was in greater favour with Huma- yun, and was chosen as Regent for the young Akbar. Badaoni in his praise of Khan Zaman, goes so far as to say that he, and his brother Bahadur Shah, gained unparalleled victories in the Eastern tracts of Hin- dustan, and that both would have been fit to be kings, if their rebellion had not issued unsuccessfully. The booty which he collected in these wars, was too tempting for Khan Zaman ; he withheld the share of the Emperor, and mutinied. Though Akbar, in 1565, condoned the offence, Khan Zaman remained dissatisfied, and again rebelled two years later, when Akbar had to move personally against him. A fight ensued ; Khan Zaman’s horse was killed, and he himself thrown tothe ground. An elephant driver saw him, and attacked him. The elephant crushed Khan Zaman to pieces, ‘‘ so that his bones,” says Badaoni, ‘‘ became like pounded antimony, and his body like a bag _ full of chess figures.” His head was recognized by his Hindu manager Rai Arzani, who put the Khan’s head over his own, and cried loud. Khan Zaman’s brother was also killed. The fight took place near Jaunpur, on Monday, the 9th of June, 1567. Khan Zaman was a patron of men of learning, and of poets, many of whom lived with him. Among the latter was the great poet Ghazdli of Mashhad. Ido not know whether Khan Zaman’s poems exist in a collected form. Baddonf and Bakhtawar Khan have pre- served a few of his passionate verses. In his poems he praises a youth of the name of Shdham Bég, whose story, as related by * Tt would appear that Elphinstone read duwwum, the second, instead of duhwm, the tenth, of the month of Muharram, A. H. 964. Bakhtawar Khan, in his Mir-dt-ul ’Alam, agrees with Badaoni. 224 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Szpr. Badaoni, is an example of the ligentiousness among the nobles, which caused Akbar so much annoyance. The last poet known to me, that adopted the poetical name of Sultén, is Sultan Muhammad Siplaki. He lived at the time of Humé- yun and Akbar, and was called Szplak?, as he came from Siplak,* a place near Qandahér. To his annoyance people changed the name of Siplakt into Stpkalé, the Hind. word for a lizard. He composed a poem in praise of Khan Zaman, who gave him a present of a thousand rupees, requesting him at the same time to discontinue the poetical name of Switdén, as it was the same as his own. Siplaki naturally re- fused, and told the Khan that he had got that name from his father, and was known as a poet in India under the name of Sultan. Khan Zaman got enraged at the refusal, and, as if the life of a man was nothing, called for an elephant, and gave the order to trample the poet to death. Maulana ’Alauddin i Lari, the teacher of Khan Zaman, who was present, interposed, and asked his pupil to pardon Svplaki, if he could make on the spot a poem of the same metref and rhyme as a certain poem of the poet Jami ; but to kill him, if he were unable to do so. This was done; the poem satisfied Khan Zaman, who hasty as he was, doubled his former present, and said much in praise of the poet. Siplaki thought it, however, best to withdraw from the neighbourhood of the unprincipled chief, and went ultimately to the Dek’han, where he took part in the siege of Bijanagar. Badaoni blames him for having given a refusal to a nobleman like Khan Zaman. He gives a few of Siplaki’s verses. I do not know whether — there exists a collection of his poems. Maulvi Abdullatif Khan Bahadur said that Prince A’zamuddin, whose Diwan was before the Meeting, was one of the best Persian writers of the present age. He excelled both in prose and poetical compositions. His brother, Shahzddah Bashiruddin was likewise known in Calcutta for his elegant writings ; and he (the Maulvi) trusted that the Shahzddah would yield to the repeated request of his numerous — triends, and lay his writings before the public in a more permanent form. * There may be a slight error in this name, as the MSS. used for the text of Badadoni give different spellings. 7+ Two poems of the same metre and rhyme are said to be of the same 2am, or ground, and the later of the two is the jawdb of the older poem. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 225 The President then asked the meeting, as the evening was far advanced, to defer to the next meeting Dr. Oldham’s paper on the action of the Ganges in the Benares province. | The receipt of the following communications was announced :— 1. From Babu Rajendra Lala Mitra, Notes on the inscriptions from Mathura. 2. From H. Blochmann, Esq., Notes on the Poems of Prince A’zamuddin, grandson of Tipu Sultdn, and on three other Persian Poets styled Sultdn. 3. From W. Oldham, Esq., LL. D., Memoranda on the action of the Ganges in the Benares Province. The following additions have been made to the Library since the last meeting. Presentations. x» Names of Donors in Capitals. The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britian and Treland, Vol. III, Part II, N. Series—Tue Soorery. The Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, Part III, 1867.—Tue Soctery. List of Vertebrated animals in the Zoological Society’s Garden.— Tue Same. Report of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society of London.—Tue Same. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, Vol. VI, Part 5.—Tue Same, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, No. 102.—Tux Same. The Anthropological Review and Journal of the Anthropological Society of London, No. 2.—Tur AnTHROPoLoGICAL Socrery. Bulletin de la Société de Geographie, Juin 1868.—Tuz Gzo- GRAPHICAL Society oF Paris. Journal Asiatique; No. 41.—Tue Asratic Society or Paris. Verhandlungen der K. K. Geologischen Reichsanstalt 1868, No. I.—Tue Impertat Acapemy or VIENNA. Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-Koniglichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, Band XVIII, No. 1—4.—Tue Same. Journal of the Agri-Horticultural Society of India, Vol. I, Part II, N. S.—Tuz Soctery. . 226 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. Journal of the Chemical Society of London, April, May, and June, 1868.—Tue Soctery. Records of the Geological Survey of India, No. 2.—TuHEe Govzrn- MENT OF BENGAL. Ditto, Ditto, Another copy.—Tuer SupERINTENDENT GxEoLogicaL Survey or Inpra. Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government, No. CVII, New Series.—Tuer Government or Bompay. Report of the Revenue Survey Operations of the Lower Provinces from Ist October 1860 to 30th September, 1867.—Tur GoverNMENT oF BENGAL. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department, No. LX.—Tuz Government or Inpra. Geschichte der herrschenden Ideen des Islams, von Alfred von Kremer.—TueE AvtHor. Diwan i Sultan.—Mavivi MunammMap Zunurv.yaa. Statistics of Longevity, No. IJ.—Caprain T. C. AnpERson, Purchase. Revue des deux Mondes, 15 Juin, 1868. Revue de Zoologie, No. 5, 1868. Revue Archeologique, Juin, 1868. The Westminster Review, July, 1868. — Comptes Rendus, Nos. 22 and 23, 1868. Journal des Savants, Mai, 1868. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, No. VII. 1868. The Quarterly Journal of Science, No. XIX. Reeve’s Conchologia Iconica, Parts 270, 271. : Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara; Zoologischer Theil, Band II, Coleopteren, Diptera. Ibn-el-Athiri, edited by Dornberg, Vol. IT. Zenker’s Dictionnaire Turc-Arabe-Persan, Heft XII, Bogen 111-120. Hunter’s Annals of Rural Bengal. Hachange. The Atheneum for June 1868. PROCKEDINGS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Ocrosrr, 1868. ee The monthly Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday the 7th instant, at 9 o’clock p. Mm. T. Oldham, Esq., LL. D., President, in the Chair. The minutes of the last eee were read and confirmed. The receipt of the following presentations was announced :— 1. From Dr. F, Mason, A copy of a Burmese Handbook of Medicine, by the donor. 2. From Dr. J. B. Davies, A copy of Grecian Anthropology, by the donor. 3. From the Curator Government Books, North-West Provinces, A copy of Report on past famines in the North-West Provinces, by C. KH. R. Girdlestone, Esq. 4. From Dr. H. A. Jaeschke, A copy of Ueber die Phonetik der Tibetanischen Sprache, by the donor. 5. From J. Avdall, Esq., A copy of the second edition of Les Auteurs Hindoustanis et Leurs ouvrages, by M. Garcin de Tassy. 6. From Major F. Tennant, R. E., A photograph of the Moon on glass. 7. From the Government of India, Hthnological Report on the Races of Rajputana, with photographs. The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting were balloted for and elected ordinary members— W. Eddowes Esq., M. D. S. M. Shircore, Esq., M. D. 228 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ocr. The following are candidates for ballot at the November meeting :— Lieut. H. H. Cole, R. E. SR ds by Dr. J. Fayrer, seconded by Mr. C. EK. Bayley. Captain W. R. M. Holroyd, Director of Public Instruction, Panjab, proposed by Lieut.-Col. R. A. Maclagan, seconded by Mr. M. A. Kempson. C. Pearson, Esq., Inspector of Schools, Panjab, proposed by Lieut.- Col. Maclagan, seconded by Mr. A. Kempson. J. C. Geddes Esq., C. 8., Magistrate and Collector of Chittagong, proposed by the President, seconded by Dr. F. Stoliczka. The following gentlemen have intimated their desire to withdraw from the Society — G. A. D. Anley, Esq. A. W. Croft, Esq. The Council report that they have elected C. H. Tawney, Esq. M. A., a member of the Philological Committee. The Council also report that they have sanctioned the publication of the Poems of Chand in the Bibliotheca Indica. Mr. Oldham, on behalf of Major Tennant, R. E., presented to the Society a photograph of the moon taken on the 11th August, just seven days before the solar eclipse of the 18th. It is a positive photograph on glass, and shews very clearly some of those curious crater-like mountains, which are so numerous on the moon’s surface. Mr. Oldham also, regretting the absence of Major Tennant himself, stated that he had received from that officer, the gratifying intelligence that the party of observers at Aden had succeeded in getting some rough drawings of the Protuberances, &c. Their spectroscope ob- servations failed from clouds, as also their polariscope. They got spectro- scope results on the Corona, and measures of the protuberances. The observers at Aden were Professor Weiss, and Ensign Riha, Dr. Fritsch of the Prussian party on the west side of India got some photographs. Major Tennant also sent a drawing by Professor Kern Luximun, who was at Bijapoor, with Captains Tanner and Haig. The President then called on the Secretary to read Dr. W. Oldham’s paper, which had been deferred at the last meeting. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Socrety. 229 Memorandum on the Action of the Ganges in the Benares Province,— by Witton Oxtpuam, Ese., LL. D., Ghazeepore. In the Benares Province, the banks of the river are of a two fold character : Ist. Permanent. 2nd. Non-permanent. The permanent river banks are raised above the height of the highest floods, and contain a firm substratum of kunkur, or else a considerable proportion of kunkur mixed with clay. The per- manent river banks run in ridges nearly parallel to each other, but varying in distance apart. In some places, e. g., at Beerpoor in the Ghazeepoor district, the permanent banks are only about a mile or two miles apart; at other places, as for example opposite Chunar, or opposite the Zumaneeah Railway station, the permanent river banks are eight or ten miles apart. The river in very few places washes two permanent banks; more commonly there is a permanent bank on one side and a non-perma- nent bank on the other side, with the permanent bank at some distance further inland ; or else the river washes two non-permanent banks, and the permanent banks are not reached by the water except in an unusually high flood. The destructive fluvial action of the Ganges is of a two-fold character : Ist. Slow. 2nd. Rapid. The slow destructive action of the river is its action on the perma- nent banks, and the rapid action on the non-permanent banks. The destructive action of the river is invariably on the concave bank of the river. Where the river runs straight, neither bank gains or loses; a convex bank always has a tendency to gain by accretion, and a concave bank invariably loses by. diluvion. This is easily accounted for; the current sets dead against a concave bank, and causes the washing away and hollowing out of the portion of the bank near the river, and consequently the fall and destruction of the bank. The civil station of Mirzapoor is built on the permanent bank of the river on the concave curve. There is a constant destruc- 230 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ocr. tive action going on; but owing to the permanent character of the bank, the destruction is very slow, a few feet in a few years. The villages of Manipoor and other adjacent villages in the Kurunda pergunnah of the Ghazeepoor district are situated similarly in the concave curve in the river, but there the bank is non-permanent. The destructive action of the river is, therefore, of the most rapid character. Since 1840, a tract of country containing about 3500 acres of rich land has been destroyed, and the river course has at the point of maximum deflection changed two miles, 2. e., the present river edge is two miles from where it was in 1840. These facts are proved by comparing the pergunnah map prepared in or about 1840, by the officers of the Revenue Survey with the village boundaries and the river bank as they now exist. The destructive action of the river in such places is not merely in the rainy season, but continues throughout the year. Large masses of the bank daily fall into the river, and in the cold season, large masses of earth may be seen lying near the water’s edge having on them wheat in ear and flax in flower, which a few days before formed part of a flourishing and beautiful field. The river’s bank in the Kurunda pergunnah is entirely of a non- permanent character, and the pergunnah contains no backbone of kunkur or any other resisting material. The rapid changes which are now going on, are likely to continue until the river changes its course, and runs in a straight course from Chochukpoor to Ghazee- poor along the permanent northern banks of the river, which is beyond the boundaries of the pergunnah; the pergunnah will then lie at the south instead of the north of the Ganges. The permanent river banks may be considered the limits of the area, liable to alluvial increment and diluvion, as the destructive influence of the river on the permanent bank is too slow to be of any : fiscal importance. The immediate effects of a change in the river’s course are generally injurious, as the land destroyed is land which, having been formed some time, is well raised and productive, while the new land formed on the opposite bank is at a low level, generally sandy, and at first of no value. : 1868. | Proceedings of the Asvatic Society. 231 That portion of the river’s bed which lies low, has. in the rainy season, a deep channel of the river flowing over it. A deep channel, as a rule, has a rapid current, and consequently the only deposit which can be formed is of sand, as mud would be swept away by the stream. After, by deposits of sands for a few years, the bed has been raised, it isin the rains only covered by a shallow, and therefore a slow stream, and under such circumstances, the deposit of earthy particles is possible, and a muddy deposit is formed rapidly. Ihave myself seen in a small bay of back water of the river, out of the current, a deposit of about five feet thick of fine sand and earth formed in a few days. It may be remarked that the river’s bank on the concave side of a curve is always precipitous, as the destructive scooping action of the current destroys a slope, and hollows and undermines the bank. On the other hand, the bank on the convex side of the curve is always gently sloping, formed recently by gradual accretions of sand, at the part near the river, and of earth on the upper portions, where in the rains the current runs with little force. The bank on the concave side may be permanent or non-permanent, but the river’s bank on the convex side is always non-permanent) because formed by recent deposits and containing no kunkur. Though non-permanent in its character, the convex bank is safe and lasting from its situation, and from its immunity from the action of the current. The Benares Railway Station is built on a portion of the bank, non-permanent in character, but safe from its convexity ; while the cities of Benares and Mirzapoor are built on portions of the concave bank, permanent in character, but exposed to the destructive influence of a current. A large mass of kunkur deposit has a remarkable power of resisting the destructive influence of current. The kunkur bank at Adilpoora within the Sooltanpoor Cantonment, nearly opposite to Chunar, has for years stood unharmed by a most violent current. The investigation of the law of changes in the river’s bank, is of some practical importance in connection with the navigation of the Tiver, as it is always desirable to have some foreknowledge of changes 232 Proceedings of the Asiatic Soctety. [Ovr. likely to occur in the navigable channels. Trees falling into the river with portions of the bank form snags, dangerous obstacles to navigation. It may safely be asserted that every year all trees on the concave bank of the river should be cleared to within a distance of 500 feet, where the bank contains no kunkur, and is non-permanent; and to within a distance of 10 feet, where the bank contains kunkur and is permanent. On the other hand, it is a useless destruction of property to cut down trees on the convex bank, or on either bank in a straight course of the river. In those parts of the Ganges where the permanent banks are far apart, the river runs in reaches from the northern to the southern permanent bank, then curving round again to the northern permanent bank, and so on. In those parts where the permanent banks are near each other, the course of the river is tolerably straight, and changes little from year to year. Ghazeepore, August 24th, 1868. The President invited discussion on the paper just now read. Mr. Medlicott said— | “‘ Being called upon to speak, I can only say that the paper we have just heard read contains nothing whatever that is new, or that gives greater precision to previous knowledge. Without having ever seen a river, one can tell that the current must set to the concave bank, or that a bank of recent silt will wear incomparably faster than one of consolidated clay. The constant depredations and changes of the great rivers are familiar to every resident of the plains of India. As to the conditions of the river in that region, it has been repeatedly described ‘“‘up country’ run in Khadars—wide valleys how the large rivers limited by the high permanent land of the adjoining Duabs. The locality noticed in this paper is near the lower limit of the region where ~ such conditions obtain—where the river from being erosive becomes — formative. Mr. Ferguson, in his invaluable paper on “ The Recent | Changes in the Delta of the Ganges,” has pointed out that below Buxar, the mean fall of the river becomes about six inches in the mile, which — is the approximate limit assigned by Mr. Ferguson for a depositing river, and that above Buxar, the fall becomes thirteen inches in the mile. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Socvety. 233 A conversation took place in which several gentlemen joined. The President said, in concluding the remarks on this paper, that he © entirely agreed with Mr. Medlicott, that there was but little of novelty in the paper which had been read. It was a purely local, and simple description of facts; not pretending to great scientific accuracy. For example, it was scarcely correct to speak of the eroding action of the river as of two kinds, slow and rapid, inasmuch as the action was in all cases of the same kind, and the slowness or rapidity with which the results were produced, depended on the nature of the material acted upon. Again Mr. Wilton Oldham had, in speaking of the ‘ permanent’ banks of the river, used the term evidently in rather a general, or rela- tive sense. No bank of an eroding river could truly be called permanent ; still the word was applicable, when the rate of erosion was so slow, that changes were only traceable after long intervals. But Mr. Oldham had also, in this paper, used the term in a sense somewhat different from that in which it is commonly used. Every river flowing in any alluvial plain, which may be taken as comparatively homogeneous, has for itself at different times, and subject to differences in the slope of its bed, a plain or surface, within the limits of which it tracks its course back and forward, depositing here, and cutting away there, and thus often passing and repassing over the same ground. And so far as general observations are concerned, these limits of oscillation are so slowly changeable, that the banks, limiting the plain of the river, which for the most part become tolerably well marked, may be, and generally are, called the ‘ permanent’ banks, those banks within which (abstracting | considerations of external forces) the fall of the river’s bed and the amount of water combine to restrain the oscillations of the river. - If taken in this sense, the permanent banks of a river flowing in an al- luvial plain, may be generally considered to be composed of similar | materials to the country around, and would be, if the river were | directed against them, as liable to erosion ag any other part of the | country. | But the case stated by Mr. W. Oldham is quite different ; here the | permanent banks, he speaks of, are composed of material quite of a | different kind and of a greater resisting power. He describes these de- | posits as characterized by kunkur, and being of a hard stiffclay. And 234 - Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ocr. in this, without knowing it, the writer has referred to one of the most interesting facts in the geology of the Gangetic plains. Above Benares we might say, certainly above the junction of the Jumna and Ganges at Allahabad, the prevailing character of the materials form- ing the wide plains in which these rivers flow, is a hard stiff clay abounding in kunkur, which in places forms great beds or sheets. This, associated occasionally, chiefly in the upper portions of the river valleys, with pebbly beds often concreted by lime forms the prevailing charac- ter of the beds. Below Benares, however, the greater portion of the plain of the Ganges from the foot of the hills on the north, to those on the south, is composed of much more recent deposits, the result of ‘the action of the river itself, chiefly composed of soft incoherent beds of fine sand and silt. Here and there, through these, we find standing up portions of the kunkury clays, &c., to which we have referred, under circumstances which shew that they are remnants of a once widely spread and general deposit, now existing as islands in the stream of the more recent Gangetic alluvium. For these other deposits, we have generally used the term first used by the lamented Dr. Falconer, and called them the ‘Older Alluvium.’ It is, however, a term apt to mislead, inasmuch as the age of these deposits is very widely removed from that of the true alluvium. These kunkuriferous beds in the Jumna, yielded many valuable fossils years since, which Falconer himself identified with those found in similar deposits in the valley of the Nerbudda, and looking to the proximity geogra- phically, and to the great similarity lithologically, of the two deposits coupled with the similarity of the fossils contained, there seems little question that the so-called Older Alluvium of the Jumna and Ganges is of the same general age as the so-called ‘ Pleiocene’ deposits of the Nerbudda and Godavery. Below Allahabad but few fossils have been found in these deposits. Ihave a joint of a thigh bone (probabl bovine) which was obtained in sinking a well near Patna, and a few other fragments have from time to time been found. But even i the Nerbudda, where fossils are much more numerous, they are loc i in their distribution. These islands or isolated areas of the older deposits occur noticed by Mr. Oldham, near Ghazeepore, south of the Ganges ; the 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 235 stretch along from Buxar to near the Sone, forming the higher ground north of Beeheea ; they occur again under the narrow ridge on which the cantonment of Dinapore is placed ; under the city of Patna; again under Bhagulpore; still further east near Colgong; forming the high ground extending northwards from Rampore Beauleah towards Darjee- ling, again they constitute the often-talked of Madhopur jungle, north of Dacca; have been traced by Mr. Medlicott on the flanks of the Garo hills, and by Captain Godwin-Austen at the foot of the Bhootan hills. Thus the permanence of the banks noticed by Mr. W. Oldham in this brief paper is due to the fact, that there the river has eut its channel through one of these isolated areas of the older beds, which, as compared with the recent alluvium, have just as much greater a power of resistance as an ordinary sandstone would have as compared with loose sand. The determination of this character of the river’s bank, is of impor- tance, as the writer has shewn, both as affects the navigation of the river, and the agriculture of the district. And while he has not added materially to the knowledge of the action of the river, it is always desirable to have on record such local observations, detailed with care, which only those locally resident can attempt. The President then asked the Philological Secretary to read an ex- tract from a letter received from Prof. A. Kuhn, Berlin. Babu Réjendraldéla Mitra said, he thought, the extract would not be unwelcome to many members of the Society in this country. It referred to a subject of considerable interest, which, in ancient times, inspired the imagination of man with some of the richest ideas of poetry, and in later days afforded the means of unravelling many aclassic myth—the gorge- ous sunrise of the Hast. To it Homer, it was said, owed his plot of the Trojan war, and the Ramayana, it was presumed by some, had nothing more substantial for its substratum. ‘To the poets of the Vedic age it was a most fruitful theme, and the Vedas were interspersed with a number of myths founded on it. One of them is indelicate and highly offensive ; but with the Rishis of the primitive age, untrammelled by the amenities of modern civilization, it was a great favorite. It was no other than the rape of Usha by her father Brahma,-—the dawn likened to a charming nymph chased by her progenitor, the sun. In one version of this myth, given in the third chapter of the Aitareya 236 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ocr. Brahmana (section 33), Dawn is represented to have, in fear of her father, assumed the form of a red deer, whereupon Prajapati assumed the form of a fierce animal, named rishya, and chased her. The gods, disgusted at the sight of the incestuous attempt, but unable individu- ally to check the ravisher, put forth the aggregate of their most fear- ful qualities in the form of a god named Bhutavan or Rudra, who pierced, with an arrow, the lustful brute, which immediately transform- ed itself into the constellation Orion. A counterpart to this myth has been found in a German tradition by Professor Kuhn, and the letter contains an abstract of a paper on the subject recently published by him. Professor Kuhn writes— ‘Both in our ancient and modern popular traditions, there is univer- sally spoken of the Wild Hunter, who sometimes appears under the name of Wodan or Goden, and was, in heathenish times, the supreme god of the ancient German nations. This god coincides, both in character and shape, with the ancient Rudra of the Vedas, wide p. 99. Now there is a class of traditions, in which this ancient god is said to hunt a stag and shoot at it, just as Rudra in the Brahmanas is represented as shooting at the ricya and rohit. The stag, in German mythology, is the animal of the god Freyr, who, like Prajapati, is a god of the sun, of fertility, &c., so that the shot at that stag is to be compared with Rudra’s shooting at the ricya = Prajapati. I have further endeavoured to show that some indications exist in the medi- zeval penitentials of Germany and England, which give us to under- stand that at the close of the old year, and at the beginning of the new one (we call that time “die Zwolften’’ or the twelve days, the dvadacaéha of the Indians), there were mummeries performed by the country people, in which two persons seem to have been the principal performers, the one of whom was disguised as a stag, while the other was disguised as a hind. Both represented a scene, which must have greatly interested and amused the people, but very much offended the clergy by its sordid and hideous character; and from all the indications which are given in the texts, communicated by me, pp. 108-180, we may safely suppose that the chief contents of this representation was the connexion of a stag and a hind (or of an old woman), which was accompanied by the singing of unchaste songs. From English customs at the New, Year’s Day, we may also infer that 1868. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 237 g Yy the hunter’s shooting at this pair was even a few centuries ago, nay is even now, not quite forgotton. Now as the time of the ‘ twelve days’ was with our ancestors the holiest of the whole year, and the gods were believed to descend at that time from heaven, and to visit the abodes of men, we may firmly believe that this representation also was a scene of the life of the gods. I hope to have thus proved that the brahmanical and German traditions are almost fully equal, and I have finally attempted to lay open the idea, from which the ancient myth proceeded. According to my explanations, our com- mon Indo-Huropean ancestors believed that the sun and daylight (which was so to say personified under the image of various animals, as a cow, or bull, a horse, a boar, a stag) was every day killed in the evening, and yet re-appeared almost unhurt the next morning. Yet a decay of his power was clearly visible in the time from midsummer to midwinter, in which latter time, in the more northern regions, he almost wholly disappears, and, as in Northern Germany during the time of the twelve days, is seldom to be seen, the heaven being then usually - covered all over with clouds. I have, therefore, supposed it was formerly believed that the sun was then completely destroyed by a god, who was both a god of night and winter as also of storm, Rudra = Wodan. The relics of the destroyed sun, they seem to have recognised in the brightest constellations of the winter months, December and January, that is, in the Orion and the surrounding stars. But when they saw that they had been deceived and the sun re-appeared, the myth gained the further development of the seed of Prajapati, from the remnants of which a new Aditya as well as all bright and shining gods were produced. I have further shewn that both Greek astronomy and German tradition prove to be in an intimate relation with the brahmanical tradition ; for the former shows us, in almost the same place of the celestial sphere, a gigantic hunter (mrigavyédha = Sirius; Orion, the hunter = mri- gaciras); whilst the latter has not yet forgotten that Saint Hubertus, the stag-killer,; who is nothing but a representative of the god Wodan, had, like Rudra, the power of healing all diseases (the ‘ bhishak- tama’’ of the Vedas), and particularly possessed cures for mad dogs, which not only were his favourite companions, but were also in near connexion with the hottest season of the year, when the declining of the sun begins, the so called dog-days,” 238 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Oor. With regard to the animal described in the Vedas as the Rishya, which word Dr. Haug translates by ‘a kind of deer,” and Professor Wilson by ‘a white-footed antelope,” the Babu read the following extract from a letter of his to Whitley Stokes, Hsq., in which he conjectures it to be the Nilgdo. | ‘There is nothing positive to prove what particular species of animal the Rishya is. A Mriga no doubt it is; but as that word is a generic term, including all the deer as well as the antelopes, it does not help me inthe least. The Panditas, whom I have consulted, seem not to know much of the subject, and Séyana, apparently, was not better off when he commented on the Aitareya Bréhmana. He could only ascertain that the Rishya was a species of deer (Mrigavis’eshah), and he had to prove it. by a quotation from a lexicographer which says, “the Gokarna (supposed with some doubt to be the Nilagéo by Wilson), the spotted axis, the black antelope, the Rishya, the red deer, and the chamari (Yak) are deer ;” gokarnah prishatainarshya rohita- schamarimrigah). But great as he was as an expounder of the Vedas, and a profound Sanskrit scholar, SAyana was no naturalist, and had, therefore, to stumble over every passage that referred to Vedic fauna. His acceptance of the Yak (Poephagus grunniens) as a deer is an instance in point. Another, and avery remarkable one, occurs in the third Book of the Zaittiriya Brahmana, p. 637 of my edition, in which he describes the gomriya to be “ either a wild ferocious horned cattle, or a hybrid between a deer and acow.” Judging from the “name go and mriga, “cow” and “ deer,” and the mixed antelopine and bovine character of the Nilgao(Portax tragocamelus,the Indian represen- tative of the Elands and the Koodoos of Africa), I cannot but take that to be the animal intended. In the Smritis an animal is named the Nilabrisha, an exact synonym, of Nilgéo; (Hshtavyd vahavah putrdh yadyapyeko gayaém vrajet, yajeta vds'va-medhena nilam vé vrishamut- sryjet ;) but curiously enough it is described to be a “ bull with a red body, white hoofs and horns, and a yellow muzzle and tail :’”’ nothing blue, though it is named a “blue bull!” (lohito yastu varnena mukhe — puchchhe cha pindurah, setah khuravishindbhydm sa nilo vrisha uchyate. Suddhitatitva, 211). To account for this inconsistency, I suppose, Raghunandana, the author of the Suddhi, and the Vrishotsarga Tativas knew not the animal, and confounded his authorities. The Nilgao 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiutic Society. 239 is not common in Bengal, and therefcre not likely to be familiar to a Pandita. “ Of deer, most names, which were originally specific, have since become generic, and it is difficult now to identify them. In the Kaliké Purdna, quoted by Raja Radhakanta, nine different animals ave described to be feral deer (jangala). Of these the first, Harina, is said to be ‘‘ copper-coloured ;” 2nd, the Ena “ black ;” 8rd, the Kuranga “light copper-coloured, and of the shape of, and as big as, the harina ;”’ 4th, the Rishya, “an animal witha blue scrotum, generally known by the name of Sarory ;” 5th, the Prishata, ‘ white spotted, and some- what smaller than the Harina.’’ 6th, the Nyanku, “an animal with large antlers ;” 7th, the Sambara, ‘‘ identical with the great Gavaya”’ or wild-ox (sambarogavayo mahan, which may be made to mean the sambara is a large cow-like animal); 8th, the Rdjiva “a deer with lines (or whirls of hair) all over its body ;” and Qth, the Mundi or ‘the hornless.’’ “The first 1 take to be the Cervus Wallichix or the Honglu of Kashmir, an animal nearly allied to the Cervus eluphus or the Red Deer of Europe, the Edelhirsch of Germany. The second is the common antelope of Upper India (Antilope bezoartica) with a black body and white ventor and feet. Its colour leaves no doubt about its identity ; for there is no other Indian deer or antelope that is black. It is the only animal that can correspond with Professor Wilson’s * white-footed antilope.”’ Its habitat, Upper India, was well known to Manu, who describes the characteristic of the land sacred to the Aryans as that where the black antelope grazes in a wild state. Its common name is Krishnasdra. The third is our Bdrdé Singd (Rucervus Duvaucelic) which is of a lighter colour than the first. The fifth is unmistakably the Axis of Bengal (Avis maculatus), com- monly known by the name of Harina. The sixth I cannot make out, unless it be the Sdngndt of Manipur (Panolia Hldz), an animal never seen in the plains now, but which may have had a wider habitat in former times. The seventh is the well known Sémber deer, often miscalled the Indian Elk (Rusa Aristotelis) It is common all over cis- Vindhyan India, and, for ought I know, may be equally so in the peninsula. It yields the leather known by the name of Sdbara, which is highly esteemed as a very pure material for bedding, and 240 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [Oor. Hindus, during mourning for parents, generally have recourse to it. Its name I take to be a corruption of Sambara. It is, of course, quite a different thing from the Chamois skin which our syces take for the true Sdébara. I should notice that the authority quoted above confounds the Sambar with the Gayal (Gaveus frontalis), but if the alternative meaning given by me be accepted, the difficulty can be got over. The eighth is evidently a striped antelope, perhaps the Gazelle, but I cannot make it out. The last is the Mouse deer which of all the Indian deer tribe is the only animal which has no horns. Its congeners of Java and elsewhere, such as the Kanchil and the Chevrotain, could not have been sufficiently known to come under the enumeration of a Puranic. “Now for the Rishya, it must be evident from what has been said about the Ena, that it cannot be the white-footed antelope, and of antelopes we have only two others, the Ravine deer and the little Quadricornis that could be said to be common, and neither of these has a blue scrotum, which is said to be the peculiar characteristic of the Reshya. Iam disposed to think, however, that Raja Radhakanta’s reading of the Kaliké Purana is not correct. I have been able to get hold of only one MS. of the work, and it does not give the slokas quoted, but judging from the fact of the first three animals, described in them, having the colour of their pilage noted, I think the fourth had likewise its general colour described, and not that of its scrotum. The word used is néléndakah, which I strongly suspect is a mislection of Nildngakah or the “ blue-bodied ;” and if this conjecture be correct, the Rishya would be the “ blue-bodied”’ Nilgao, a large, fierce and — peculiarly uncommon animal, much better adapted to adorn a tale than a tame little antelope. ; | ‘The legend in the Aitareya Brahmana makes Usha = Dawn assume the form of a red doe rohit, and Brahma, to enjoy her society, should become a buck vohit;* but instead of that, he changes himself into a Rishya, and this circumstance suggests an argument in favour of my conjecture. The female of the Nilgdo is of a red brown colour, without any shading of blue over it, which is the * In the version of the myth given in the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad Usha, © to conceal herself, successively assumed the forms of a cow, a mare, a female — ass, a she goat, a ewe, and other female animals down to a female ant, and Prajapati followed her successively in the shape of males of those animals. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asratic Society. 241° peculiar characteristic of the male, and consequently appears to be of a different species from the latter. Hence itis that too different words have been used to indicate the different sexes of the same animal, instead of representing the female by a feminine affix to the masculine term. This cannot be said of any other Indian deer that I know of. The whole of my argument, however, is founded upon an assumption, a supposed mislection, which I am not in a position now to establish by reference to other MSS.” The Natural History Secretary then laid the following paper before the Meeting ; On Pandanophyllum and allied genera, especially those occurring in the Indian Archipelago ; by S. Kurz, Esa. Dr. Stoliczka, in laying Mr. Kurz’s paper before the Meeting, said that the plants which are referred to Pandanophyllum and the allied genera belong to a very interesting group of the large family of the OyPERACER. This family is usually divided into several sections, of one of which, the nypotytR#, the present paper treats in particular. Mr. Kurz gives a short review of the genera of this subdivision, quoting the following Hypolytrum, Thoracostachyum, Lepironia, Pandanophyllum, Cephaloscirpus and Scirpodendron. Of each of these genera, several species are described in the paper, and some of these are new to the flora of the Indian Archipelago; of others, de- tailed statements as to their history, etc., were recorded. Dr. Stoliczka also drew the attention to an interesting species of a Gordius which Mr, Peterson brought to the meeting. The specimen was procured in Darjeeling, and was remarkable for its great thickness in proportion to the length of its body. It resembles a Typhlops, but _is proportionally much thinner, than species of this genus usually are. Dr. Stoliczka also stated that he has just received a long letter from the former hard working Curator of the collections of the Asiatic Society Mr. E. Blyth, and he was sure the members would be glad to hear that Mr. Blyth still took the liveliest interest in Indian Zoology. His letter was written in a very spirited way and was full of the most valuable suggestions on Indian Ornithology and Mammalogy. The President then laid a letter before the meeting received through Mr. H. F. Blanford from W. D. Stewart, Esq., Assistant Surgeon, * 242 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ocr. Cuttack, on Meteorological observations taken by him during the late eclipse, and remarked that the chief interest attaching to these was in the thermometric observations. At the commencement of the eclipse, 9h. 6m., the thermometer stood at 87° 5’; at 9h. 42m. it had fallen to 85.5; at 10h. 6m., to 84.0, after which it rose again, showing 88.0 at 11h. 29m., when the eclipse was quite over. A blackened-bulb thermometer 7m vacuo was exposed to the sun’s rays, one foot from the ground; at 8h. 30m. it indicated 126.° 00: it was then reset and exposed to sun’s rays for half an hour, when it only indicated 98° 0. The Philological Secretary then read a letter received from J. Beames, Esq., Twickenham, near London, on the proposed edition of the Poems of Chand. ‘‘ With reference to the discussion on Chand which took place at last February’s meeting, at which I was present, it may interest soine members to know that I have found in the Royal Asiatic Society's library two very fine MSS. of the Prithviraj4é-rasa, which I have commenced copying and collating. The differences between the two MSS. are slight, chiefly in the spelling which, as in all Hindi works, is very unsettled. One, which I call MS. A, is in one volume bound in kimkhab, and prefaced by a beautiful picture of Prithvi Raja in full warrior’s costume. It is by a native artist, and for delicacy of execution, is not surpassed by anything of the kind IL have ever seen. It contains 65 prastavs, or cantos, with the headings and conclusions in red. It was written at Kotah, and completed on Thursday, Bysakh Sudi 8rd, Sambat 1883, by order of Maharaj4 Kishor Sifh, and was presented to the Society by Major Caulfield, November 3rd, 1827, which must have been very shortly after it was written. It is the work of three scribes. The first, who writes in rather a Marwari hand, has copied the first 18 prastavs, down to the end of the famous * Anangapéla Dillidan.”’ The second, who writes a large coarse hand more of a Delhi type, takes from the 19th or ‘ Madho Bhat Katha” to the 36th or “ Hansdvati vivaha” inclusive. The third is very unequal hand, sometimes carelessly, and sometimes very neatly written, more Marwari than No. 2, but not so much so as No. 1. It finishes the work. This is a magnificent MS., quite complete, and in perfect pre- - servation, on thick Sialkoti paper. ‘The other MS. is in three volumes, in a clear Marwari hand, on thin- es Ee —— | 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 243 nish paper, no date, or writer’s name, and contains MS. pencil notes by Col. Tod, not of much value. I am forming my text on MS. A, and noting in the margin any important variants from B. These are probably the only MSS. of the Prithviraj in England; I have carefully searched through the India office library, but neither I nor Dr. Hall could find one there. I hope to bring out to India good materials for an editio princeps of Chand. I hope the Society will not let the question of the MS. which is in the Agra College drop, as I hope still to fulfil my promise to edit it. Chand’s dialect, however, is very peculiar: it is the Bhatti dialect of Sirs4 and Haénsi Hissar, forming the genitive often by TT, ¥, and <, instead of at, &c., and abounding in unnecessary and inorganic ‘ anusvaras,’ in which respect it approaches more to Panjabi and Sindhi. : If you think these notes will interest any one, please read them at the next meeting.’ The President then said it would be in the recollection of the members that at a recent meeting of the Society, very interesting reports were read describing the discovery of Cromlechs in the Coorg district, as _well as of curious remains of pottery, and of iron implements in these enclosures. he importance of ascertaining the names given to these -enclosures by the people, and thus possibly tracing their origin by tracing the origin of the terms used to describe them, if these were not modern, was then insisted on. No information on these points was given inthe reports read, and he had therefore written to Mr. Bowring, the Commissioner of Mysore, requesting enquiry on these points. He had received a reply, which he would read to the Society. Bangalore, 2nd September, 1868. _ ‘I have the pleasure to enclose a reply from Captain Cole to the question put in your letter of August 14th. I do not think that much information is to be obtained from the Coorgs on the subject of these Cromlechs or Kistvaens, as they were till lately a very rude and illiterate race, without any reliable history, and the ‘remains of antiquity which exist in the district seem to be known by the name which all Hindus assign to such relics, when they are at a loss to designate them properly. Nothing of value has been found in the Cromlechs ; but the pottery is evidently of an ancient type, while the existence of bones in the enclosures would seem to indicate that 244 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Ocr. they were burial places. Should any reliable information be obtained, or should any interesting discoveries be made, I will write to you again.’ Captain Cole writes to Mr. Bowring as follows :— ‘In reply to Dr. Oldham’s queries, I have the pleasure of forward- ing the following information regarding the names used in Coorg for the Cromlechs or Kistien-vaen. I find that there are two names and two traditions regarding them. The majority callthem in the Coorg dialect, Pdndu-pére, which means the sfone of the Pandus. The Coorg dialect, as shewn in my grammar, bears the strongest affinity through the Malayalim to the Tamul language ; andin Tamul, pdre also means a large stone. The Moplahs of the Malayalim country call these structures “‘ Pandu-porre,” and porre means a small hut. Such structures have not, I believe, ever been found in the Malayalim districts. The other name for these structures is Pundara-mane, or the house of the Pundaras, a legendary Pygmy race, sometimes confounded with the descendants of the Pan- dus. Both these terms have been traditionally handed down. With regard to Dr. Oldham’s opinion that these structures are more of the type of Kistvaens of Celtic Europe than of the true Cromlech or Dolmen, it appears to me that we have both in Coorg. Those found — buried and consisting of a regular stone cist are doubtless Kistvaens ; but I have found some with the top slab resting on two or more rough — stones or boulders at each end. I have just discovered four of a re-— markable type, situated in the middle of the forests about 13 miles” from here towards Somwarpett. They are large stone chambers” erected on the top of a low hill and on the very rock from which the slabs had been quarried. They have all entrances of a shape as shewn on Plate 2 of the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for June last, or a circular hole in the centre of the slab. They stood out in high relief, each on the top of a low mound, the base of which had a circle or concentric circles of stones all round. They were perfectly empty, and looked like temples or altars ; and bearing in mind what. Cesar, Pliny, and Tacitus, have said of the human sacrifices offered bya the Druids, and what we know of such sacrifices in India, the idea off an altar is borne out by some of these structures. =. Tn others near Ramasammy Kunve, [ have just found some beautiful — | small goglets in black pottery and glazed, a basin, some large urns, and — a large round pot with three short pipes projecting out, as if used for 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 245 distilling. I have also found large fragments of bones, and a piece of a human jaw with two teeth in it. I hope soon to send you the drawings and a regular report.’ Fraserpett, 29th August, 1868. _ It would seem from this, that little hope existed of being able to trace out the history of these curious remains by any investigation of the names or words applied to them, which were all of modern construction. The discovery alluded to in the last sentence of Captain Cole’s note was among the most important yet made, and he had solicited that, if possible, the portion of human jaw referred to, might be forwarded to Calcutta for comparison. . The President further said, that he had brought down to the meet- ing a volume of the Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay, in which a very interesting account was given of curious remains of a somewhat analogous character, which occurred a little more to the south than Coorg, namely, near the Palghat. ‘The title of the paper was one which would scarcely lead any one merely consulting the Index to suppose that it related to such rough structures of stone of a rude and early age. It was entitled, ‘‘ On the Pandoo coolies of Malabar,” the word coolies here being a corruption of the word Kul or Kull, signi- fying a stone. He did not mean to refer to the interesting details given in the paper, but simply to direct attention to the plates which accompanied it, and which gave excellent representations of the pottery, glass beads, iron implements, &c., found in these Kulls, and of the mode in which they were originally placed inthem. The remark- able fact was, that there was not among them a single object, which could not be paralleled by objects similar or even identical in shape, material, &c., found in many places in Northern Europe. Thé character of these articles would indicate a time more advanced in the arts and in civilization than those of the people who constructed the Cromlechs and Kistvaens of Coorg. But it did not necessarily follow from this, that they were of later date. Two tribes, or even portions of the same race, might readily have existed contemporaneously, but in very differ- ent stages of progress in the arts, Wc. The President then said, he had much pleasure in laying before the Meeting a paper by Mr. F. S. Growse, C. S., Fatigurh, on the Poems of Chand, of which communication the Philological Secretary would only give a short abstract, as it was to appear in full in the Journal. 246 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. ~ [Ocr. Babu Rajendralala Mitra said :— “* After adverting to the circumstances which led to the enquiry re- garding the Agra MS. of Chand’s Poems, the author gives, first, a brief account of the size, extent, and character of the Agra MS., and then of — another lent to him by Babu Sivaprasad of Benares from the Library — of His Highness the Maharaja of Benares. The latter comprises 786 pages, and appears to bea continuation of the work noticed in the July Number of the Society’s Proceedings. It is divided into two parts, one — of which is devoted to Mahoba, and the other to Kanouj, and contains altogether 38 Cantos. The narrative is described to be ‘‘ very abrupt in its transitions,” and laconic in its allusions to past events; the lan- guage most archaic, and the text exceedingly corrupt. This is followed by a translation of the first Canto of the work, giving an account of the origin of Rajé Chandra Brahma. The story opens with Raja Ananga Pal’s causing at the suggestion of Vyasa an iron spike — to be driven from the surface of the earth down to the head of Vasuki, the great serpent which supports the sphere on its head. The belief was that as long as the spike would remain in its place, so long would — the sovereignty of the Tomars last on earth. But Vasuki, pained by the spike, sent his brother Takshak to cheat the king, who caused the — spike to be pulled out, and found that its end was smeared with blood. ~ This is followed by an account of Vy4sa’s foretelling how the sovereignty of the Tomars would be overthrown by the Muhammadans, and then an — account is given of a deception practised by the moon ona Brahmin — woman, named Hemavati, and the issue thereof. The paper concludes — with an extract from the Poem, as a specimen of Chand’s style.” The Secretary announced the receipt of the following communica- | tions :— . The Poems of Chand, by F. 8S. Growse, Esq., C. S., Fatigurh. On Pandanophyllum and allied genera, by 8. Kurz, Esq. Liprary. The following books have been added to the Library since the last meeting :— *,* Names of donors in capitals. Presentations. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Vol. XVI. No. 103.—Tum Roya . Society oF Lonpon. 1868.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 247 Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society, Vol. XII. Nos. 2, 3, and 4:—Tue Royat GrograpuicaL Socrety or Lonpon. Bulletin de la Société de Géographie, Juillet, 1868.— Tux Groera- PHICAL Socraty or Paris. Actes de L’ Académie Impériale des Sciences Belles-Lettres et Arts de Bordeaux, 3rd Série, 29th Année, 1867.—Tux Imperrat ACADEMY oF Borpravx. Abhandlungen fiir die Kunde des Morgenlandes, herausgegeben von der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesellschaft, Band V, No. 1.—Tue Socrmry. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlaindischen Gesellschaft, Band XXII, Heft I, I1.—Tuan same. Mémoires de L’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Péters- bourg, 7th Série, Tome XI, No. 918.—Tue Impertat Acapemy or Sr. PETERSBOURG. Bulletin de L’ Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Pétersbourg, Tome XII, Nos. 2—5.—Tuz same. Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of the Scientific Society of Alligurh.— Tux Screntiric Society or ALLIGURH. Tarikh i Hindustan.—Tue saz. Report of the Canning Institute for the Sessions 1866—1868.— Tue Cannine Institute. | Les Auteurs Hindoustanis et Leurs ouvrages, d’apres les Biographies originales par M. Garcin de Tassy.—Tuxr AvTHor. : Nachtrag Ueber die Phonetik der Tibetanischen Sprache, von Dr. H. A. Jeschke.—Tuu Avtuor. Grecian Anthropology, by Dr. J. B. Davis.—Tu Avrtnor. A Birmese Hand Book of Medicine by Dr. F. Mason.—Tur AUTHOR. Ueber die urspringliche Bedeutung des Wortes Brahma, by Dr. M. Haug.—Tue Avtnor. Report on Past Famines in the North-Western Provinces by C. E. R, Girdlestone.—Tuz Curator Government Book Deport, Norru- Western Provinces. Report on the Annual Examination of the Thomason College, Roorkee, 1868. -- Tur Principat, THomason CoLizes. Ramayanam, Vol. [, Part I., edited by Pandita Hemachandra Bhat- tacharya.-—Tue Epiror. 248 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. Oct. 1868.] The Calcutta Journal of Medicine, Vol. I, No. 7.—Tux Eprtor. Report of the Insane Asylums in Bengal for 1867.—TuHe Govern- MENT OF BENGAL. Report on the Administration of the Central Provinces for 1867-68. —Tuz Cuter Commissioner oF THE CentTRAL PRovincss. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Home Department, No. LXTV.—Txse Government oF Inp1a, Home Deparr- MENT. | Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department, No. LX.—Tae Government or Inp1a, Home Dupart. Purchase Revue des Deux Mondes, July and August, 1868. Revue Archeologique, Juillet, 1868. Revue et Magasin de Zoologie, Nos. 6 and 7, 1868. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, No. VIII. Aone: Journal des Savants, 6 and 7, 1868. Comptes Rendus, Tome LXVI. Nos. 24—26, and Tome LXVII. Nos. 1—4. The American Journal of Science, Nos. 184 and 135. Pratna Komra Nandini, Nos. 13 and 14. Reeve’s Conchologia Iconica, parts 272 and 273. Hewitson’s Exotic Butterflies, part 67. Béhtlingk and Roth’s Sanskrit Worterbuch. Thomas’ Sassanian Coins. Spencer’s Principles of Biology, Vols. 1 and 2. Spencer’s First Principles. Spencer’s Essays, Vols. ] and 2. Spencer’s Social Statistics. Spencer’s Education. Dr. F, Watson’s Index to Names of Eastern Plants and Products. Elliot’s History of India, Vol. I. } Exchange. Atheneum for July, 1868. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Novempger, 1868 a Pursuant to notice to that effect, a Special General Meeting of the Society, was held on the evening of the 4th of November, 1868, at 9 o’clock P. M. T. Oldham, Esq., LL. D., in the chair. The President said, it would be quite unnecessary that he should enter into any detailed history of the long protracted correspondence, and discussions which had led to the result they were asked to ratify by their votes this evening. He would not detain them by any reference to earlier parts of this history, but simply state that, at the beginning of 1864, there appeared a fair prospect of final success, and by a general vote of the Society at large, the Council were then fully authorized to treat with the Government of this country, in accord- ance with the general terms set forth in the correspondence then sub- mitted to the Members. Armed with this authority the Council had treated, and had finally brought the contract to an issue, which he might, without hesitation, say was highly advantageous to the Society, | The arrangement was very briefly this. The Society hand over to Trustees, appointed under the Act of the Legislative Council of India, which embodies these arrangements, (Act XVII. of 1866), the collections which they now possess of Natural History, of Antiquities, and of Miscellaneous objects, as well as any additions thereto which they may obtain. The Government undertake to erect a commodious building, specially adapted to the purpose, to provide for the payment and maintenance of an efficient staff of curators, taxidermists, &., and 250 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Nov. for all costs of the management of such Museum. All the collections of the Society as well as additions, are to be marked with a distinctive mark, so that if, unfortunately, any severance of the Society and of the Museum should be necessary, the Society could reclaim all such collections of its own as were then existent. To the Society also has been granted the right of nominating four Trustees out of thirteen, thus giving to this body a very powerful interest in the management of the Trust. In this way, the Council have been able to secure the permanent maintenance in this city of a Museum, in some degree worthy of the name, of which the collections of the Asiatic Society form the most important nucleus: they have secured these most valuable collections from the destruction which from the want of proper room or sufficient funds for their maintenance was rapidly seizing hold of them ; and the Society has at the same time been relieved from all or any expendi- ture for this purpose. Further, the Society retain their valuable library intact ; their collec- tions of coins, of manuscripts, engravings, maps, &c., and the paintings and busts which ornament their rooms. Such is the agreement. In full confidence that they would, under the circumstances, meet the ready support of the Society at large, they have further provisionally handed over the collection to the charge of the Trustees nominated under the Act. It was impossible to do this formally, at once, be- cause the Act required that careful lists of all the specimens should be prepared, and that one copy of such lists or inventories should be kept by the Council of the Asiatic Society, and another should be kept by the Trustees of the Indian Museum. These inventories or Catalogues, have lately been completed with much zeal and great personal exertion by Dr. Stoliczka and Mr. V. Ball, both members of the Society, who have also lately been acting as Curators of the Museum. And the Council have therefore now demanded of the members at large, that this transfer should be formally sanctioned. The necessary voting papers were issued to the Mofussil members on the 22nd August, 137 were sent out, 61 replies have been re- ceived. Of these, one only votes against this transfer. I will now propose on the part of the Council, ‘ That the Council be authorized formally to transfer the Society’s collections of Natural History, Antiquities and Miscellaneous objects, to the Trustees of the 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 251 Indian Museum appointed under Act XVII. of 1866, subject only to the conditions therein specified.’ This was put to the vote and passed. The Meeting then resolved itself into an Ordinary Monthly Meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following presentations have been received since the last meeting. 1. From the Government of India, Home Department— A copy of Notes on the Races and Tribes of Avadh. 2. From Babu Gopindtha Sena. A copy of the monthly means of the principal meteorological elements, ffc., as recorded at the Surveyor General's Office, Calcutta, for 1866-67. 3. From the Magistrate of Mainpuri— A copper spear head. Two copper axes. A. few copper bangles. The following letter accompanied the donation :—“ The Magistrate of Mainpuri begs to inform the Secretary, Asiatic Society, that he has despatched to him to-day some specimens of copper weapons or utensils which were found in this district buried in a field, and will be much obliged, if the Secretary will inform him if he can state what they are. They do not resemble any weapon or utensil now in use in this part of the country.” The President in exhibiting these implements remarked on the extreme interest attaching to them. One was a very fine specimen of a flat celt, identical in shape and general character with many found in North Europe. The material of this, he believed, was, as stated, copper; there had been no time to test the presence of other metals, but judging both from the colour and softness of the metal, as well as the colour of the coat of patina on the specimen, he thought it was copper. Another of the specimens appeared to be a spear-head of peculiar form; the sides of the implement being cut into a series of pointed teeth, pointing downwards, and projecting from the central rib, somewhat in the way in which the teeth of a saw-fish do. With these were a number of rings, which were, he thought, obviously old 252 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, f Nov. bangles, or wristlets ; but these were identical in form with what for very many years, antiquarians in North Kurope had been wont to call ‘ring-money.’ ‘There was also another flat piece of metal, the use of which was not so obvious. The great interest attaching to these specimens was this—that, so far as he was aware, this was the first instance in which the occurrence of any such implements composed of either copper or brass or bronze was known in this country. There is a record of one instrument of brass or bronze, which was believed to be in the Society’s collection, but which he had not been able to find, but, with this exception, there was no record of any such instruments of bronze or copper, known, as from any part of India. The only statement which the sender had given as to the circum- stances under which they were found was, that they were “ buried ina field near to Mynpoorie.”” More detailed information had been sought, and if obtained would of course be laid before the Society. He would also have the instruments tested as to whether they were really of copper. | 4, From J. Kertich, Esq., Government School-master, Prome, through Dr. J. Anderson— A palm leaf Burmese manuscript, the life of Gautama, written 40 years ago A palm leaf Burmese manuscript, Wise sayings of Kandouweng Priest. A palm leaf Burmese manuscript, One of the 550 Zat-lives of Wee- too-rah. The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting were balloted for as Ordinary members :— Captain W. A. Holroyd, Director P. I., Panjab. J. Pearson, Esq., Inspector of Schools, Panjab. Lieutenant H. H. Cole, R. EH. J. Geddes, Hsq., C. S., Magistrate and Collector, Chittagong. The following gentlemen are candidates for ballot at the December meeting :— J. B. Macauliffe, Esq., C. 8., Multan, proposed by the President, seconded by Dr. Ewart. J. E. Cooke, Hsq., Deputy Accountant General, Bengal, proposed by J. T. Wheeler, Hsq., seconded by the President. 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 253 The President laid on the table, the report of a Sub-Committee ap- pointed to revise the rules of the Society. The Members were aware, as it had been announced to the Society, that a Sub-Committee had been appointed, and that to it, some propositions which had been made for alteration in some of the rules, had been referred for consideration with the general subject. This Committee, composed of two Members of the Society not Members of Council, and two Members of Council, had held successive meetings, and had considered the rules seriatim, as well as generally, and their careful and detailed deliberation had resulted in drawing up a revised set of rules, in which the principal alterations were alterations of arrangement, with also some changes in principle. The Committee had met frequently, and on successive days, with a view to completing the important duty confided to them at the earliest practicable date, and they submitted their report sometime since. But, the intervention of the holidays, and the consequent absence from town of many Members of the Council, had rendered it impossi- ble to have, in the Council, that full and careful discussion of the proposed rules which was, in every point of view, desirable. The Council had gone through a portion of these proposed rules, and had made several changes, so far he might say chiefly verbal changes. And it was wished that the Council’s report could have been laid before the meeting this evening. This was as he said impossible. It was therefore determined by the Council at its last adjourned meeting on the subject, held only the day before, to lay before the meeting the draft rules as proposed by the Committee, and ask the Society to allow the question to be brought up for final discussion at the Annual General Meeting. This meeting would not take place until the ‘ middle (or alittle later) of January. And it was believed that there would be ample time to have the final report of the Council on these draft rules ready, quite in time to be circulated to the Mofussil mem- bers, so that the required two months shall elapse after the issue of the papers, before the Annual General Meeting. It was of essential importance that this matter should be brought to a conclusion as soon as practicable, not only with a view to removing doubts as to what the rules of the Society are, but for another reason also. The copies of the rules as now existing are exhausted; there are none to give to the new Members of the Society, while it would be 254 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ Nov. highly foolish to waste money in reprinting these rules, if they are to be supplanted by others in a few weeks. If the final decision, however, is to be protracted much beyond the date of the Annual Meeting, the present rules must be reprinted. He would, therefore, ask the Society to adopt the plan recommend- ed by the Council, under which the rules as proposed would be cireu- lated for discussion in full time to hold the final voting on the question at the Annual Meeting in January. This was put to the vote and carried. The President then called on Mr. V. Ball to read his paper, On the Flora of Manbhim, of which the following is an abstract. Previous knowledge of the Flora of Maénbhtim refers only to the northern portion of the district (in the vicinity of the grand trunk road), which has been visited by Dr. Hooker, Dr. T. Anderson, and others. The district forms portions of three of Dr. Hooker’s botanical pro- vinces Behar, Bengal and Orissa. The physical characters of Manbhim which exercise a marked influence on the flora, may be most clearly comprehended by dividing the district into a series of six zones. The general aspect presented by the flora is disappointing: instead of finding a realization of one’s ideal of a tropical jungle, the scenery is often excessively tame, and in the drier and cleared portions, almost park-like. In the nearest approach to typical tropical jungle, that occurring on the hills of the Dhalbhiim frontier, there are no tree-ferns or palms and but few mosses, orchids, or herbaceous ferns. The character of the — foliage and inflorescence are briefly described in the paper. The vegetation of the low flat lands is susceptible of a four-fold division, according to the character of the ground which supports it ; lists of the characteristic species are given. Land which has been cleared for cultivation, it is remarkable to notice, has a flora of its own, both the trees and herbaceous plants being quite distinct from those found in the original jungle. Al- though the land may relapse into jungle, the occurrence of these species marks its antecedents. 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 255 The flora of the tanks and jheels is interesting, as it so closely ap- proaches in character to that of the ponds and lakes of Europe. A list of the species is given. | This portion of the paper is concluded with a description and list of the plants peculiar to the hills. The useful plants are those yield- ing, food, drugs, fibres, dyes, lac, oil and timber. The paper concludes with notices under these several headings, and a list of trees producing timber of known value. Dr. F. Stoliczka then read his paper on The Malacology of Lower Bengal and the adjoining provinces. No. 1. On the genus Onchidiwn, with descriptions of new species. (Abstract.) The author stated that the study pursued in conchology during the last few decads had clearly shewn the importance of the examination of the animals of Mollusca for all systematical purposes. The Indian land and fresh water shells received a very fair attention from such able conchologists as Mr. Benson, Mr. W. Blanford, and others ; but there was as yet little known of the respective animals. To supply this want, Dr. Stoliczka stated that he had undertaken to collect materials for a series of papers, which would be specially devoted to the examination of the animals, and that he hoped conchologists would appreciate this course of inquiry, and favour him with living or preserved animals of Molluscs. The first of the series of papers had as subject the anatomical and other descriptive details respecting the species of Onchidium, found in the neighbourhood of Calcutta. The type of the genus was described about 70 years ago by Dr. F. .Buchannan as Onchidiwm typhe, which is very common about Cal- cutta, though no record of its occurrence has been noticed since Buchan- nan’s publication. Dr. Stoliczka then spoke on some of the most important anato- mical details of the type species, Onchidiwm typhe, pointing out some of the errors into which former observers had fallen. He also stated that he found in the neighbourhood of Port Canning three new species which were described by him under the names of Onchidium pallidum, tigrinum, and tenerwm. Several live specimens of the last named Species, the drawings of all the species, and preparations of the teeth, &c., were exhibited. A new species of Onchidiwm was said to occur 256 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Nov. in Burmah. Of the closely allied genus Vaginulus, Mr. W. Theobald had described one species from Burmah, and Mr, G. Nevill lately obtained near Calcutta two small specimens of apparently the same species. Mr. W. Blanford said that the study of the animals of the various Molluscs and especially those of Onchidiwm, was of the highest impor- tance, and that he had no doubt that Dr. Stoliczka’s labours in this line would be highly appreciated by conchologists. He had himself observed, he believed, at least two Indian species of Onchidium beside those mentioned by Dr. Stoliczka. All the Onchidia were found along the seashore or on the banks of tidal rivers, while the species of Vaginulus appeared to be terrestrial animals. Dr. Stoliczka mentioned that the errors which had been made by former observers were chiefly due to the difficulty in preserving animals, Since Dr. Buchannan, only very few naturalists had the opportunity of examining live animals, and those preserved in spirit easily change their form so much, that it was extremely difficult satisfactorily to trace out the structure and the position of some of the internal organs. Dr. Stoliczka also brought to the notice of the Meeting a paper entitled ‘“‘ Remarks on the species of the genus Pandanus; by S. Kurz, Esq. The object of the paper was a somewhat different grouping of the species of Pandanus from that recorded in botanical works up to the present date. Mr. Kurz divides the known species of Pandanus into five sections,—which may be said to have sub-generic value,—under the names Acrostigma, Ryckia, Kewra, Microstigma and Souleyetia. ' Short characteristics of the various sections are given, and 27 species are enumerated in his list. Papers received from the Public Works Department, reporting the occurrence of earthquakes in June last, were laid before the Society. The Superintending Engineer of South-Hast Circle, Mr. Leonard, reports that “‘ A shock of earthquake was felt at Sylhet at a few minutes past 12 o’clock, on the morning of the 30th June (29th-30th). There ‘were three waves, rather abrupt, the second so much so as to shake the furniture.” The shocks occupied about half a minute, and a tre- mulous motion continued for half a minute more in the direction of west-south-west to east-south-east. Sight shocks were also felt at ‘ ma > > 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 257 Cachar at 8 o’clock in the evening of the 29th June, andat 3 a. M. of the following morning, lasting each time 4 to 5 seconds ; but causing no damage. The Executive Engineer of Rajshahai division reports an earthquake at Dinagepore on the same night at about the same hour, (midnight) as at Sylhet. It lasted for about a minute and three distinct shocks were felt. The motion travelled from north-east to south-west. It was felt also slightly at Rampore Bauleah, Malda, Nattore, Boggrah, Pubnah and Rungpore. No damage was caused to the buildings. It is also stated to have been “ perceptible at Berhampore, but that few seem to have felt it.” Another earthquake is reported as occurring on the 31st July, at about 11h. 45m, in the day. It was felt at Hazareebagh, where it is said to have lasted 10 seconds, and appeared to come from the north, or north-east. It was slightly felt also at Raneegunje. It appeared more severe at Gobindpore, where the main wall of the Assistant Com- -missioner’s Cutcherry was cracked, and the plaster fell off several of the pillars in the verandah. One of the walls of the Ist class road chokee at Kundra was cracked. Near Bugodhur, it was very perceptibly felt at about 11 a.m. At Aymiahghat all the constables rushed out of the police building, It was felt also at Burrakur. It is stated to have been preceded and accompanied by a loud noise resembling the distant noise of an engine letting off steam, and is stated to have come from north-east toward the south-west. Nothing unusual in the state of the weather or temperature is recorded. The receipt of the following communications was announced :— 1.—WNotes on the Flora of Manbhim, by V. Baur, Hse, B. A. II.—The Malacology of Lower Bengal, No.1, by Dr. ¥. Stontezxa. Ill.—Remarks on the genus Pandanus, by 8. Kurz, Esa. bo OR QO Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. *~ ifiNev Liprary. The following additions have been made to the Library since the last meeting. *,* Names of Donors in Capitals. Presentations. Sitzungsberichte der Kénigl. Bayer. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Miinchen, 1867, Heft III. IV.; 1868, Heft I—IT.—Tu Kornieni0cn BayeriscHe AKADEMIE DER WIssENSCHAFTEN ZU MuncuEN. Abhandlungen der Philosophisch-Philologischen classe der Koniglich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Band XLII.—Tue san. Abhandlungen der Historischen classe der Kéniglich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften XXX VIII. Band.— Tue same. Denkrede auf Heinrich August von Vogel.—Tue same. Almanach fiir das Jahr 1867.—Tue same. Ueber die Theorien der Ernahrung = thierischen Organismen.— THE SAME. Ueber die sogenannte Leukothea in der Glyptothek Sr. Majestat Konig Ludwig I.—Tum samn. Abhandlungen fiir die Kunde des Mor Foriibndast® ; Versuch einer -hebraischen Formenlehre.—Prorzssor Dr. L. Krentz. Actes de La Société D’Ethnographie, 2e Serie, Tome I—II.—Tux Hrunoerapuic Society or Paris. Mémoires de L’ Académie Impériale des Sciences, Belles Lettres & Arts de Lyon, Classe des Lettres, Tome XIJI.—Tue Invpzrian Acapremy oF Lyon. Journal Asiatique, No, 42.—Tum Asiatic Socrery or Parts. Bulletin de la Société de Geographie, Juillet, 1863.—Tux Guoera- PHICAL SocteTy oF Paris. . Journal of the Royal Geographical Society Vol. XXXVII—Tuu Royat GrograpuicaL Society or Lonpon. 4 Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XXVI. Part 1—Tae Linnean Society or Lonpon. ° } - The Journal of the Linnean Society, Zoology, Nos. 86—41 and q Botany, Nos. 39—47.—Tue same. q ' Proceedings of the Linnean Society, November, 1868.—Tuxe same. 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 259 General Report of the North-Western Provinces Exhibition held at Agra, February, 1867.— Government Nortu-WestEern Provinces. Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, Paleontologia Indica, Vol. V. No. 6.-——-Government or BENGAL. Adam’s Reports on Vernacular Education in Bengal and Behar.— THE SAME. Annual Report on the Geological Survey of India, Calcutta. —Tur SAME. Annual Report of the Administration of the Province of Oudh for 1866-67, 1867-68.—Tux samu. Ditto ditto ditto of Coorg for 1867-68.—Tux samz. Ditto ditto ditto of the Penal Settlement, Port Blair and Andaman Island for 1867-68.—Tux samen. Administration of the Central Provinces for 1867-68.—Tux same. Revenue Administration of Mysore for 1866-67.—-Tum samu. Annual Report on the operations of the Post Office of India for 1866-67.—TueE same. The Annals of Indian Administration in the year 1866-67, Vol. XII. Parts I. and IJI].—Tuz same. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department, Nos. LXV. LXVI—Tue same. Report of the Meteorological Reporter to the Government of Bengal for 1867-68.—Tur saME. Report on the Races of Avadh.—Tue Government or Ino1a. Purchase. Revue des Deux Mondes, 15th August, and 1st September, 1868. Comptes Rendus, Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8. Journal des Savants August, 1868. Revue Archéologique, No. VIII. 1868. The Numismatic Chronicle, 1868, Part IT. The Annals of Natural History, No. IX. 1868. Revue de Zoologie, No. 8, 1868. Essai @une Faune Entomologique de L’Archipel Indo-Néerlandais par 8. C. 8. Van Vollenhoven. III, Ist part. Famille des Pentatomides, H. Fauche’s Le Mahabharata, Vol. IX. Simpson’s India, Ancient and Modern, Part II. Z Cae my FRAT FN “: “3 ee aan eva * oe ae] P Py Bea, ; a, > * fale shia dies eal reg hs ee b aad f iy i> of + Ait _ ‘| 4 3 (a. : OW tr Ars bee Phe, weal ee te ye aes a . = Ye . a, sl, iol eea ; at , 4 bite 2 a, Bal nig en re Vi ‘ oe Y ey ~ if 1k ne Vite: a . has Mais tL. é x MS veto iO 2 Be Pe Be Sere f . : ‘ " iy 1 if 5 i mys: ; A aaa Pi OF Pua: AH S45 ‘ige ’ a roe is Ea Tent 24: a rsa Peaan fey Pa) it a ; F , ‘ f ’ " ie , a yl é ~s tow o4 yi wie on I \ rs r . : : Mare +s y * : 2 ‘e Pm ae é Cont aL = ’ = ‘4 y i , - hae . * 99% ey 3 Jj chal “Se tip Glo De DOR Pe 7 hoe ed Ae - << a | . ks - « _ \ Me i na * + - 6 an a) S 4 F - bai) ivy i s i 3 ' os t m, Bane af? a ¥ ; £ 4 e . . — ee AR i P29 ’ a o's WH ROK “he Oo oee) f tea? f yr See Pee ry ee. 7] 5 , . <4 . A * i ‘iar j 4; 7 ae i P 4 4 4 pre he ‘ : a, : A : } ff, ' yee EE ORE ak aa Mat , 7 ‘ 3 1 yj ay 3 aa! PAYA ., o en) Se) =* - * t * j : ae { 5 es, ey 4 ca é : ‘ i i \ cat : ‘ d ‘ = - 4 . ™* ute : ie, } Spay age oP aereeé 2 ory \) ie ; v aM al \ x < _ * * ww a Tr? ag 4 275 ( x ' - “4 >) | ‘ Paid ae 4 Pailin Thad (| : 1 vas: ee f y i ite c Ging ot Anas aa Q = , eas : Se = a i ‘ . y i bs . { 1) i ts the Se ee ' pears 3 eke ran 5 | = * m fae al Le i 5 Pa ot 7 t . , 4 yet th ae vf re co a , vi resi * = \ . ’ ‘ 5 a! “i ] e . ~ S * ; ee hh } : Sry = c ar y oe » " gv, % > » - : ‘ 4 - } . i a , my A bits i { = % < , mts ~ . F NT ie sf ree, bh, ¥ tas : q C . : 5 4 a h rats 4 Y x ve ; = oe H 4 a os ( ! if 7 aot 3 < Agee r ea . i ay “ei ake PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, For Decremper, 1868. ey Wa An Ordinary General Meeting of the Society was held on Wednes- day, the 2nd Instant, at 9 o’clock p. . T. Oldham, LL. D., President, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following presentations were announced — 1. From C. W. Wilmot, Esq. Rajmahal, a piece of sandstone with leaf umpression of Paleozamia. 2. From J. A Cockburn, Esq., Superintendent, Barrackpore Park» a specimen of Python Molurus. 3. From the Rev. EH. Stewart, 4 copy of Santali grammar, and a copy of the Gospel of St. Matthew in Santalr. 4. From J. Burgess, Esq., Poonah, Wotes on a visit to the Satrun- jaya Hills. 5. From the Surveyor General’s Office, two maps of Turkestén with the adjoining portions of the British and Russian Territories, The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last meeting, were balloted for and elected Ordinary Members :— M. Macauliffe, Esq., C. 8. J. EH. Cooke, Esq. The following gentlemen are candidates for ballot at the January meeting :— Dr. P. F. Bellew, Deputy Assay Master, Calcutta Mint, proposed by Col. H. Hyde, seconded by Mr. J. F. Wheeler. A. Cadell, Esq., C. 8., Mozuffernagur, proposed by Mr. Irwine, seconded by the Secretary. 262 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Dexc, Ch. C. Adley, Esq., Executive Engineer, P. W. D., proposed by the President, seconded by the Secretary. Dr. T. Dukas desires to withdraw from the Society. The following letter from B. W. Colvin, Hsq., Magistrate of Mainpuri, with reference to the copper weapons, laid before the last Meeting, was read :— Tth November, 1868. ‘‘The copper weapons mentioned in your letter of the 5th instant, were found by a cultivator, whose plough struck against them in passing through his field. ; ‘“‘ He described them to me as lying littered together in a heap without order, and not enclosed in any vessel or receptacle. They were, of course, at no great depth below the surface. “This is all the information I could gather from the man who foundthem. I have not had an opportunity yet of visiting the place myself where they were found, but I shall have shortly; and if you will let me know any special points on which further information is desirable, I will do the best I can to procure it.”’ The receipt of the following communications was announced— 1. What was the Sundarbun originally, and when, and wherefore did at assume its existing state of utter desolation ? by H. J. Rainey, Esq. 2. On the Results deducible from the observations made by order of the Secretary of State for India, at Guntoor, on the late Eclipse of the Sun, by Major J. F. Tennant, R. H., F. R. A. S. 3. Notes on a Tour in Northern Abyssinia, and specimens collected in Abyssinia, by W. T. Blanford, Esq. 4, The Total Eclipse of the 18th August 1868, observed by the Austrian Expedition, by Dr. F. Stoliczka. 5. Description of New Marine Mollusca from Ceylon, by Messrs, G. & T. Neville. Mr. Blochmann then said— ' Among the books purchased during last month, by the Society, there is a copy of a Persian Dictionary, entitled Sirdjullughdt, in two volumes, This Dictionary was compiled in 1734, by Siraéjuddin ’Ali Khan Arzu, a poet and noble of the court of Dihli. The Society, I think, has been fortunate in getting this rare book at the low price of Rs, 45. The copy itself is but fair, like the MS. of this work 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 263 preserved in the Fort William College Library. A third copy is at Lucknow. ‘“‘T have on several occasions drawn attention to the importance of collecting MSS. of Persian lexicographical works. There is a two- fold reason. rst, the auihors of the best dictionaries are Indians, and few of their works have found their way into the libraries of Hurope. Secondly, the best Persian dictionaries are written towards the end of the 17th and during the 18th centuries, when the rapid down- fall of the Mogul dynasty, and the introduction into India of the art of printing, caused a considerable decrease in the demand for copyists. Hence the fact that our libraries contain more MSS. written from the time of Akbar to Shahjahén, than MSS. written during the 18th century. Adding to this the difficulty of copying voluminous dictionaries, we cannot wonder that lexicographical MSS. are now-a-days, even in India, where they were written, exceedingly rare. “‘Of the 53 dictionaries which during thirty years were collected by order, and at the expense, of-the Emperor Akbar, for the compilation of the dictionary entitled Parhang 1 Jahangirt, about eight still exist, of which our Society has but three. So rapid has been the destruction of this class of MSS. during two and a half centuries.” Dr. Stoliczka desired, before the ordinary business was com- menced with, to draw the attention of the Meeting to a few very fine specimens of the remarkable coral Sagartia Schilleriana. He stated that he had lately found large numbers of that species in the Mutlah river, where, during low water, the animals remain for many hours exposed to the sun. Dr. Stoliczka also exhibited live specimens of Wanna pollus, and Helix propingua, both clearly shewing the pulsations of the heart. In the former species, the pulsations were about 46 per minute ; in the latter about 50. When the animals retire for a longer time to their shells, the pulsations greatly diminish. In the case of Helix propingua, they were reduced from 50 to 17 per minute.— The President then asked the Secretary to read the first paper announced for the evening. 264 Proceedings of the Asiatic Soctety. . fee: What was the Sundarban originally, and when, and wherefore did its assume it existing state of utter desolation? By H. J. Ratyzy, Esq., Khoolnah, Jessore. (Abstract.) The writer states that he advisedly adopts this interrogative form of title, desiring to elicit information rather than to attempt to dog- matize. His wish is to ventilate the subject, so that a satisfactory solution may finally be arrived at. Such a solution he believes would be of practical value also as affecting the extent and character of the various works for reclamation or improvement of the Sundarban. The author then proceeds to shew that the Sundarban ‘“ origin- ally” was not only populated, but apparently equally, if not more, ad- vanced in civilization than the country lying immediately to the northward of it. The remains of temples, mosques, and other buildings of much symmetry and even magnificence, are supposed to prove this. These appear to have belonged to both Hindus and Musulmans, though the latter predominate. It then proceeds to discuss the history, so far as known of this tract. In the reign of Akbar, (16th century) ‘‘ Maharajah Pratapa- ditya established a magnificent city (founded by his father and uncle, Maharajah Bikramaditya and Rajah Bosontori respectively) in the grant of one Chand Khan, (who dying without heirs, his property was escheated by the paramount power, Nawab Datd, and transferred to the said Maharajah and Rajah,) in what may now be considered the 24-Parganah portion of the Sundarban, then appertaining to Jessore. This Maharajah Pratapaditya became so powerful as to exercise sway over all the Rajahs of Bengal, Behar, and Orissa, including even Assam. His great successes induced him to refuse to pay his tribute, and to throw off his allegiance to the Great Mogul. For many years, he succeeded in defeating the armies sent against him. The first general sent was Abram Khan, whose army was nearly annihilated near the fort of Mutlar(? Mutlah, now Port Canning)*.. Twenty-five other generals are stated to have been * «©The high embankment, or rather the remnant of it left, not far from Canning, is very likely the remnant of the road which led to this fortress ; or probably debris of the fortification (or garb as termed by the natives) ; for such appear in Lower Bengal to have been built simply of mud.”—The Author. — The general Abram (?) Khan is not mentioned in the histories of Akbar’s reign, For the facts mentioned in the following sentence the author should have specified his sources, —THr GENERAL SECRETARY, 1868.] — Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 265 defeated in succession. Finally the Mahdrdjah Pratapaditya sur- rendered himself a prisoner, and was sent to Delhi in an iron cage. He died at Benares on the way. The author shews that at the time of Pratapaditya, though parts of the Sundarban were populated, a great portion was still. wild and uncultivated, and thinks, the vast progress in improvement was owing to the great exertions of these princes; and that the impetus given by them, gave way with the imprisonment and death of the Mahéa- rajah. Subsequently only the very best and most favorably placed portions of the district were cultivated. In addition, the place was exposed to predatory incursions of piratical Mugs, and even of Portu- guese Buccaneers,—quite sufficient to scare away a timid and probably disunited population. There remain yet to be considered the effects of a cyclone, and its storm-waves. This occurred in Calcutta in 1737, when a wave 40 feet higher than usual, came up. Such would have been sufficient to pro- duce an almost total loss of life in the Sundarban, and its con- sequent abandonment. The author thinks the true name is Sundarban, or beautiful forest, as preferable to Sundriban, Soondree forest ; or Sundar band, beauti- ful band or embankment; or Somudro ban, the Sea Forest. He thinks the name is of recent origin as applied to the entire district. A record exists of many well-known places described as belonging to zemindarees. The author concludes by briefly summing up his views, and stating that the country suffered severely from the attacks of Mug pirates and the Portuguese, who finally effected a footing in the country, and that a terrific gale or Cyclone, probably that in A. D. 1737, accompanied by a storm-wave, passed over that tract of conntry on the sea-board, now known as the Sundarban, resulting in the most awful destruction of lives, and devastation of properties, which caused the few remaining survi- vors to totally abandon the place, and move northwards, where finding sufficient surplus land for their habitation and cultivation, they never returned to the south.— The President then invited discussion on the paper. The Rey. J. Long stated that when in Paris in 1848, Monsieur Jomard, the head of the Geographical Department of the Bibliotheque 266 Proceedings of the Asiatie Society. [ Dec. Royale, shewed him a Portuguese Map of India more than two centuries old in which the Sundarban was marked off as cultivated Jand with five cities therein. This was confirmed by a Map in De Barros’ Da Asia, a standard Portuguese history of India. The libraries of Portugal would be worth searching for further informa- tion. He had twenty years ago examined Tarda, atown not far from Port Canning, which was the port of the Portuguese before Calcutta was founded; it was once an emporium of trade, and ships must have sailed up by the Mutla, but no ruins now remain. He had seen, 40 miles south of Port Canning, a fine Hindu temple two centuries old. At the request of the Hon’ble J. Colvin, late Lieutenant-Governor of - the North West Provinces, he had published, 16 years ago, in Bengali the life of Rajah Pratapaditya, called in the original “ the last king of Saugor Island ;” he lived in the days of Akbar, and built a city in the Sundarban, the remains of which are to be found at Ishwaripur. The Portuguese slave-dealers and Mugs led by their devastations to the depopulation of the Sundarban. Cyclones also did their work; one swept over Saugor Island, in 1680, which carried away more than 60,000 people. The Mugs, as late as 1824, were objects of terror even to Calcutta, and in 1760, the Government had a band thrown across the river, near the site of the Botanical Gardens, to prevent them and the Portuguese Pirates coming up. The Asiatic Society ought to petition Government to send an ex- ploring expedition to the Sundarban.— Mr. Blochmann said— “‘T think the deserted state of the Sundarban is due to the incursions of the Portuguese and the Mugs rather than tc cyclones. The first cyclone known to me is mentioned by Abulfazl in the third book of the Ain, where he says—‘ The Sarkar, or district, of Bagla, extends along the seacoast. The fort of the Sarkar is surrounded by a forest. From new moon to full moon, the waves of the searise higher and higher ; from the fifteenth to the last day of the moon, they gradu- ally decrease. In the 29th year of the present era (A. D. 1585), one afternoon, an immense wave set the whole district under water. The chief of the place was at a feast ; he managed to get hold of a ~ boat, whilst his son Paramanand, with a few others, climbed up a ~ . ¥363;)- Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 267 Hindu temple. Some merchants got on a Téldr.* For nearly five hours the waves remained agitated ; the lightning and the wind were terrible ; houses and ships were destroyed ; only the Hindu temple and the Taélér escaped. About two hundred thousand souls perished in this hurricane.’ : Abulfazl does not mention the northern boundary of the district of Baglé ; but it cannot have come up as high as Calcutta, because Calcutta, or the Mahall of Kalkattd, as it is spelt in the Ain—very likely the oldest book in which our Capital is mentioned—belonged, at Akbar’s time, to the Sarkar of Sétganw, near which the Portuguese had founded the town of Hugli (Hooghly), which name also occurs in the Ain.t -Now the Cyclone of 1585 could not have been the’ cause of the devastations in the Sundarban, because Abulfazl, eleven years later, in 1596, mentions four towns as belonging to the Sarkar of Bagla, viz., Ismé’ilpir, commonly called Baglachin{ ; Sriramptir ; Shdhzédah- pur; “Adilpar. These four places must have been of some importance, because the district then paid a revenue of nearly seventy lakhs of déms, 1. e., nearly 180,000 Rs., and was besides liable to furnish 320 elephants, and 15,000 zamindari troops. It would be of interest to know whether the Portuguese maps, alluded to by Mr. Long, or some old East India Office Records, mention these four towns. De Barros’ Map, and Rennel’s Map of 1772, contain nothing; and we may at present assume that the ruins of towns discovered in the Sundarban, belong to some of the four towns. It is noticeable that three out of the four towns have Muhammadan names. There is a difficulty connected with the name of Baglé. The Manuscripts of the Ain which are in my hands, give a B as the first letter of the name. But the author of the Siyar i Mutaakhkharin, who copies the above record of the cyclone from the Ain, has Hiiglé (4852), instead of Bagld (4&4 ), and distinctly asserts that the * A wooden house built on 4 pillars, often erected near palaces and temples. The musicians used to play on it. + I mention this, because Stewart, in his History of Bengal, lays an undue stress on the fact that the name of Higli does not occur in Faria de Souza’s History of the Portuguese in India (1695), The name occurs in the Ain (1596), and several times in the Pddishdhndémah ; vide ed. Bibl. Indica I, p. 433, where the capture of Hagli by the Mognls, on the 12th June 1632, is described. J The last syllable of this name is somewhat doubtful. Several MSS. have only Bagld. 268 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Dec coast of Lower Bengal was thus called from higld, a weed used for thatching houses. But he wrote two hundred years after Abulfazl, in 1780. The second great cyclone occurred, according to Mr. Long, in 1680. The third hurricane, known to me, took place in 1737, during which, according to the Gentleman’s Magazine of that year, the English settlement of Golgota [Calcutta] severely suffered. But:in 1737 the Sundarban was deserted. That the eastern part, at least, of the Sundarban was chiefly devast- ated by the Mugs, is also asserted on Rennel’s Map of Lower Bengal of the year 1772, where the words ‘‘ Depopulated by the Mugs” are written over the tract between Long. 90° and 91°, south of Ba- qirganj (Backergunje).* The name of Fringy Cally (long. 89° 25’) which on his map is given to one of the numerous branches of the Ganges, clearly belongs the ‘remains’ of the Portuguese.” — Babu Protab Chunder Ghose, Assistant Secretary, then read the following note :— “‘ As I have the supervision of the printing of a Historic Romance in Bengali, which gives an account of Pratapaditya’s dealings with the Portuguese adventurers, I had occasion to look up some books, in order to authenticate certain facts therein referred to. In my search for them, I had to investigate the history of the Sundarban. The few notes I have taken down in connection with the subject, I will read out to you. The earliest mention of that portion of Lower Bengal which is now known as the Sundarban, is in the Ramayana. It is in connection with a legend relating to the origin of the river Ganges. How the numerous sons of Sagara, one of the many universal monarchs of ancient India, were reduced to so many handsful of ashes by Kapildé’s malediction, is known to every reader of the Ramayana. How Bhagiratha, a mere boy of fifteen, by his devotion and prayer, pleased the goddess Ganga to come down to earth, and how Ganga divided herself into a hundred branches, before she entered the sea, — is likewise known. I may mention that the Sanscrit name for sea is connected with the name of the universal king Sagara. * Vide also Col. Gastrell’s Geographical and Statistical Report of the Dis: tricts of Jessore, Fureedpore and Backergunje, Calcutta 1868, p. 25. 1868.] . Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 269 No mention is made of any other events having happened on the sea coast of Lower Bengal. Names of no ancient cities, except Bai- gala (Arrakan) said to have been situated there, are mentioned in the Mahabharata or the later Puranas. Modern Sanscrit literature is peculiarly deficient, both in geographical accuracy and historical au- thenticity. For authentic history we must look to the works of foreign travellers. In Arian’s account of India, this portion of Bengal is mentioned in connection with the river Ganges. He gives the names of its several branches, and mentions two cities, which he says are situated in its Delta. It is difficult to identify them now. Megasthenes who preceded Arian in his description of the Indians, speaks very obscurely of the Ganges. In Arian’s list of the tributaries of the Ganges, we recognise the Sona in Soamus. Herodotus’ account of India is very general and limited to the North Western Provinces. All invasions of any consequence were from the west and north west of India. So late as Manu, the lawgiver, the Ganges was considered the eastern limit of the country habitable for the Aryas. In the war of the Mahabharata, the king of Bengal is several times mentioned, apparently to strengthen the retinue of the principal warriors, We pass over some centuries without finding any notice of the country. During the time of the Arab invasion of India (8th century of the Christian era), Sulaiman came to this country. An account of his. travels is given in the Bulletin of the Geographical Society of Paris (p. 203). His account of the Delta of the Ganges is very meagre. All we can gather from him is that this part of Bengal was then in a flourishing condition. There existed then many cities which traded with Arrakan. The Persian Historians of the Muhammadan rule in India are generally silent about Bengal, most of them being more or less connected with the court of Delhi. They have directed little or no attention to the history of the secluded portions of the Emperor’s dominions in the East, which were always governed by one or more, generally insubordinate, Viceroys. The little that was written by the natives, was either neglected or suppressed by the court followers. Ibn Batuta passed down the Delta of the Ganges, but he has record- ed nothing regarding the Sundarban. He generally speaks of the 270 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Dec. country as in a flourishing condition. In the 15th century, Nicoli Conti sailed up the Ganges and passed by a city named Cernove, which was onthe river. This city, he mentions, was then in a flourishing state. He stayed for some time at Buffetania (Burdowan ?). He visited Racha, a city on the banks of a river of the same name. On his way to the city, he crossed the Delta, where he found many good cities. Racha is evidently a misspelling of the Persian name Rakhd- nak (Arrakan). Up to this time, we see, the jungles of the Sundarban did not exist. The earlier Portuguese writers unanimously assert that the Delta of the Ganges was much populated. Several cities are marked in De Barro’s Da Asia, and two mighty rivers, flowing on the west by Satigam, (Saptagram, Saétgénw), and on the east near the city of Chatigam, (Chittagong), bounded the fertile Delta of the Ganges. In his map, he distinctly lays down three cities as situated within a few miles of the sea. Manuel de Faria de Souza inhis “‘ Portuguese Asia’ says—‘‘ The Ganges falls into the sea between the cities of Arigola and Pisalta in about latitude 22°”. At another place he says, ‘‘ The Ganges enters the bay about the Lat. 23°, between Chatigam and Satigam, 100 leagues distant.” He describes the intervening country as much populated and in a flourishing state. Dr. Fryer (1674), speaking of deserts in his ‘ Special Chorography and History of East India,’ says: ‘‘ Here are sandy deserts near the gulph of Combaya (Cambay), and beyond Bengala towards Botan and Cochin China, whence they fetch musk.” It is very difficult to state who first applied the name Sundar- ban to the jungle inthe Delta. No early writer uses the name, The name literally means “ the good forest ;’’ but as some write it’ Sunderband, it means the good embankment.’’ Some are of opinion that the plant sundri (Heriteira littoralis), which grows in great abundance in the Delta of the Ganges, has given the name of the forest. This appears probable, as a whole district is named Hogla from the occurrence of a reed (Zypha elephan- tina) of the same name. I would propose another etymology. — There lived in this part of Bengal a semi-barbarous tribe named Chandabhanda, very similar to the Malangi (salt manufacturers) of the 1868.] . Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 271 present day. Their condition was a little better than that of slaves. Ina copper plate inscription found in lot No. 55 of Mr. Hodge’s Map, near Backergunj, Madhava Sena, evidently a brother to Kesava Sena of the Senarajas of Bengal, made a grant of some villages, Bagule (Bogla, according Persian writers) &c., to a Brahman. With the villages, the king conferred on the recipient the right of punishing and employing the Chandabhanda, a tribe that inhabited the place. This tribe, I believe, gave the name to the uncultivated portion of the Delta, which they then occupied. It is generally supposed that Portuguese piracy and Mug incursions in the 16th century devastated the whole country. Bernier (1655) speaking of Portuguese oppression, says—‘‘ They made women slaves, great and small, with strange cruelty, and burnt all they could not carry away. And hence it is that there are seen in the mouths of the Ganges so many fine cities quite deserted.’’ The remains of these fine cities are found in lots Nos. 116, 211, 165, and 146. Mr. Swinhoe has published a figure of the ruins lately dis- covered in lot 116. The temple is of the Buddhist type of architecture. In lot No. 146, there are brick ruins with terracotta ornaments. Most of the remains are on the banks of the Cobartak. Colonel Gastrell, in his “ Geographical and Statistical Report of the Districts of Jessore Furreedpore and Backergunge,” speaking of old ruins, states—‘ But all inquiry failed; nothing could be found save the ruins already mentioned on the banks of the Cobartak river. The mud-forts entered on Rennell’s Map on the banks of the Rabanabad or Goolaceepa river do not exist now-a-days.” To the oppression of the Portuguese pirates we must not wholly attribute the desolation of the Sundarban. It may only be true regarding the eastern portion. We know from history that several partial deluges occurred in Bengal. Two are recorded in Siyar-ul-Mutakhkharin in connection with Sirkar Hogla. The first and more furious of the two, happened in the 29th year of the reign of Akbur (1585). Two hundred thousand of the inhabitants are said to have been drowned. Another is said to have occurred in the reign of Muhammad Shah (1737). Such occasional deluges, accompanied by cyclones, by breaking up the embankments, may have destroyed some parts of Lower ‘Bengal ; the incursions of the Mugs may have done the same for 272 Proceedings of the Asvatic Society. [ Dzc. other parts. Portuguese pirates, Mugs, and occasional visitations of cyclones have acted together, to ruin the seacoast of Lower Bengal. The change, usually observed near the months of large rivers, must have likewise had a share in the general destruction, With reference to the last cause of the desolation of the Delta of the Ganges, I would refer to what Mr. Ferguson says in the Quarterly Journal of the Geographical Society for 1863. But Sir Charles Lyell says, “ Mr. J. Ferguson, in his paper on the Delta of the Ganges, differing from all writers of authority who preceeded him, has argued that the sediment is thrown down in consequence of the overflowing river being checked by meeting with the still water of the jheels or lakes. In point of fact, however, the deposition of the coarser matter takes place immediately on the highest part of the banks where the water first begins to overflow, and before they reach those lakes which occur at a lower level in the alluvial plain on each side of the main river. The banks are of equal height and as conti- nuous where no jheels exist.” Mr. Rainey, referring to the only historical anecdote connected with the Sundarban, mentions Raja Pratapaditya. His authority is a Bengali work published under the superintendence the Verna- cular Literary Society. The work is named ‘“ The Life of Pratapadi- tya.”’ The author Pandita Haris Chundra distinctly states that his history is but an abstract, in modern Bengali, of a more ela- borate work published by Ram Ram Bose for the College of Fort William. Ram Ram Bose in his work states that he des- cribes the history of Pratapaditya as he has heard it told by old members of his family. For a more authentic history of the Raja, particularly of his connection with the Emperor of Delhi, we must look to another work. The Muhammadan Historians do not even mention the Raja by name. The Siyar ul-Mutakhkharin, however, mentions one as Prataparudra, which is evidently a misspell- ing of Pratapaditya. This prince was defeated in a battle by Raja Man Sing. The only written history of Pratapaditya is in the Khitiga Charita, a Sanscrit History of the kings of Krishnagar. There the author incidently mentions Pratapaditya as being taken prisoner by Man Sing in the beginning of the reign of Emperor Jehdéngir, and carried off in aniron cage. On his way to Delhi, the Raja died at Benares. The 3863.) Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 273 Bengali romance, of which I made mention, describes the in- trigues of the Rajé with one Sebastian Gonzales, a Portuguese pirate, who in concert with Anupram, a brother to the king of Arrakan, whose sister he had married, waged war against the king of Vaicala. Sebastian Gonzales is described, in De Souza’s History, as a Portuguese sailor, who left his employment and established himself in Sundeep. Bharatachandra, author of the Vidya Sundara, has evidently taken his history from the Sanscrit work, as the very epithets of Pratapaditya, used in the Sanscrit work, are repeated in the poem. Pratapaditya was a powerful prince. The Sanscrit work states, there were twelve other kings of Bengal, all of whom were defeated by Pratapaditya, and he became the sole monarch of the Province. He had an army of 52,000 swordsmen, 16 chains of elephants, and ten thousand mounted soldiers. He disclaimed all allegiance to the Emperor of Delhi. Near the old city of Jessore, there are still to be found ruins of the palace and fort of Pratapaditya. The Secretary then read Major Tennant’s paper :— On the Results deducible from the Observations made by Order of the Secretary of State for India at Guntoor on the late Total Eclipse of the Sun. By Major J. F. Tenant, R. E., F.R. A. S., F. M.S, Superintendent of the Observations. As the Asiatic Society did me the honor of printing a pamphlet ealling attention to this Hclipse and explaining the objects of research, I hope that some account of the results to which I have been led, may be interesting; and I feel that such an account is due. Before proceeding further, I may say that, for the present, I accept as a true theory of the Sun that it is an ignited nucleus, solid or fluid, surrounded by an atmosphere containing as vapours many substances, which we only know as solids. In such an atmosphere, subject doubtless to enormous disturbances, the ordinary laws of equilibrium must hold. The densest vapours must lie lowest, and they will more- over be hottest. Any substances which can only exist in a state of vapour at a temperature of incandescence, must lie low, in the densest 274 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Dec. part; for the outer portions of the Solar atmosphere must approxi- mate rapidly to the temperature of space. I have on one of my Photographs what I consider to be the image of this densest portion of the Solar atmosphere as an intensely luminous stratum, rather more than 7,000 miles thick. From this I conceive that the protuberances are formed. One of those seen on this occasion is remarkable for its enormous height and its singular structure. It has been examined with Spectro- scope and Polariscope, and we have six Photographs of it exhi- biting its marvellous structure. These have enabled me to form a theory of its construction as follows. From some cause, two violent jets of gas issued from points on the Sun’s limb 20,000 miles apart, the more northern and larger of these was nearly perpendicular to the surface, the southern was inclined at about 40° to that surface: rushing through the luminous stratum, they carried off with them its lighter constituents, and meeting about 16,000 miles above the Solar surface, they joined. But the axes of these jets were not in the same plane : hence arose a rotatory motion in the whole, and gas and vapour, whirling in a vortex, rose to a height of 90,000 miles above the surface of the Sun. That gas was Hydrogen. Ii other gases were there, the traces were faint, and escaped my notice. The vapours of which I saw traces, were Sodium and Magnesium, the two lightest. Where T examined this horn in the upper part, I think I may safely say, Iron was absent; and if the gas had taken any of these with it, it had © dropped them as it rose. ; | But this was a singular and exceptional phenomenon. Such vio- lent outbursts seem uncommon even in the Sun, and, of course, the formation of a rotating column such as this, would be less so. Jets of gas ordinarily carry up with them portions of incandescent vapour forming with them columnar protuberances, and when, as would seem most common, the escape is still more gradual, bubbles of gigantic — size are formed in the luminous stratum which are the ordinary round- — ed prominences. These are but of short duration. If an air-bubble on — water be proverbially short-lived, how short would be the duration of a bubble merely covered with vapor, were that not prevented from subsiding by the constant fresh supplies of gas from below. Really broken in many places, the remaining clouds of vapour would — 1868.| Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. - 275 be kept up by the escaping gas, much as a pith ball by a jet of water, till at last they would settle down in small irregularly broken por- tions, much in the same way as a flocculent precipitate. | This hypothesis will, I think, explain the existence and phenomena of the protuberances. Where the gas (generally I should imagine Hydrogen) comes from, is not the point. I believe it perfectly certain that it is somehow disengaged from the very solar surface or near it ; for it was present in the Great Horn. From what I have heard of the spectral examinations by others, they too saw in every spectrum its mark, though it was not identified (of course I am speaking of hand spectroscopes). I think, therefore, I may safely assume its general presence from the usual colour of the prominences.— The President then asked Dr. Stoliczka to read his note on The Total Helipse of the 18th August, 1868, as observed by the Austrian Hupedition at Aden. | Dr. Stoliczka said that he had received several reports on the above subject from the members of the Austrian expedition, but as the main features of that remarkable phenomenon have been repeat- edly described, he would only draw the attention of the Meeting to a few observations of more general interest. This would add a little to the varied information already published in our Proceedings. The Austrian Government, upon a recommendation of the Academy of Science, sent three officers to Aden, Dr. E. Weiss, Lieut. Riha and Dr. Ph. Oppolzer. Aided by the most valuable and very kind assistance of General Russel, and several other English officers at Aden, the members of the expedition completed all their arrangements in due time. The weather at Aden on several days before the eclipse was rather unfavourable and not very promising. The mornings were cloudy as were also the evenings, while during the middle of the day the heat was very great. On the morning of the 18th August, the clouds round the sun dispersed only a few minutes before the first contact of the moon’s shadow with the sun took place. The work of the observation was divided in the following manner. Dr. Weiss undertook to observe (with a refractor of 6 inches) the corona and the position of the protuberances ; Lieut. Riha conducted the spectral observations; and Dr. Oppolzer the luminar changes in the protuberances, especially at their contact with the corona. In all 276 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Dec. these points important results have been obtained. Besides the bright red corona, there were only three protuberances visible, the length and positions of which have been accurately measured. Of special beauty and interest was one of the protuberances, distinguished (about 2 minutes, = }th of the solar diameter), by a great length Its color was an intense carmine red, and it remained visible not only during the whole of the eclipse, but even one minute after it, when it was obscured by clouds. On places where the edge of the disc of the moon just covered the sun, appeared a beautiful red margin, being separated from the sun by a narrow bright zone. The corona ex- hibited in the appearance and arrangement of the various rays some similarity to that observed on the 18th July, 1860, in Spain. The spectrum was not actually reversed during the eclipse, although the dark lines perfectly disappeared, thus producing a faded, so called continuous spectrum. A few seconds before the termination of the totality, the color of the greatest refraction nearly entirely vanished, while the bright red, the red and orange colors were quite sharp, the yellow less distinct, and the green hardly perceptible. The red tints remained visible with perfect distinctness and intensity ; they did not pass into each other, being separated by clearly traceable dark lines. To measure the width of each of the colored zones was impossible, as the whole phenomenon only lasted from three to five seconds. he duration of the eclipse was according to actual observation 2 minutes, 55 seconds, considerably shorter than in S. India, or on the eastern coast of the Bengal Bay. The Austrian officers, during their stay at Aden, made numerous, other astronomical and meteorological observations, which will be pub- lished in aspecial report of the expedition. ‘Two meteoroscopes were of great service, and by means of them the direction of the course of about 200 meteors was determined. I may add that the photographers of the Prussian expedition who remained at Aden, took with great success several views during the. eclipse. The President then requested Mr. W. 'T. Blaniord, to favour the : | Meeting with his S Notes on a Journey in Northern Abyssinia. At previous meetings of the Society, letters from me have been read, giving a brief general account of my movements in Abyssinia, 1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 277 until the return of the army to Zoulla to June. Subsequently to the departure of the troops, I made another journey in Northern Abys- sinia, of which I will now offer a few notes. When accompanying the army I had had a fair opportunity of collecting the fauna of the highlands of Abyssinia (7,000 —8,000 feet) and also of the low country near the Red Sea, But I had observed that a very interesting intermediate fauna occurs at about 3,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation, and many forms, rare on the highlands, are here abundantly represented. I therefore was glad to avail myself of an opportunity for examining a tract of country of this intermediate height. On my return to Zoulla in June, I learned that Mr, Mun- zinger, the Consul at Massowa, intended to visit the Anseba valley and the Bogos country, and an officer of the army whom I knew had arranged to accompany him. Mr, Jesse, the Zoologist, and I joined the party, which thus amounted to four. The great mass of the Abyssinian highlands, of an average eleva- tion of 7,000 to 8,000 feet, terminates a little north of the parallel of Zoulla, and opposite to Massowa, in the plateau of Hamazen. From the northern side of this plateau two considerable streams arise, the Anseba and the Barka, which, after a course of some length, unite and fall into the Red Sea south of Suakin. Both are dry except in the rains; during the wet season, however, they are frequently impassable, The country drained by them is of a general level of 3,000 to 5,000 feet, with many hills rising 6,000 and 7,000, and a few small plateaus, such as that of Marea, of the same height as the highlands to the south (7,000-—8,000 feet). These countries are inhabit- ed by tribes of Bedawin, formerly all Christian, but of late years largely converted to Mahomedanism. Amongst the tribes which are still Christian, some of the most important inhabit the upper Anseba valley, and of these the Bogos is one of the largest and wealthiest. Our party left Zoulla on the 18th June, in a steamer for Massowa: only a few hours distance by steam. At Massowa we were detained for 4 days making arrangements for our journey, obtaining transport, &ec., and we leit on the 22nd, delighted to escape from the heat, which was almost insupportable. For our carriage we used some of the camels left behind by the army in Mr. Munzinger’s charge, engaging a wild looking crew of drivers from the Habab tribes, who, 278 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Dec. however, behaved very well, and carrying with us all provisions except meat, which we expected to obtain from the inhabitants or by our guns. We were accompanied throughout by a brother of the Naib of Arkeko, one of the principal chiefs of the country. We marched first due west about 30 miles to Ailat at the foot of the main range of hills, intending to wait there for Mr. Munzinger, who was detained in Massowa. The road lay through low hills, mostly of a peculiar formation composed of interstratifications of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. About 20 miles from Massowa, we entered metamorphics, the newer volcanic beds being confined to the neighbourhood of the coast, along which they appear to form a fringe. Ailat is the place where Mr. Rassam and his party remained for a long time, whilst awaiting an answer from Theodore to their appli- cation for permission to enter Abyssinia. The village is ina plain which here extends for many miles along the foot of the hills. As this was about three miles from water, we pitched our camp close to the latter, a proceeding we had subsequently occasion to regret. The water is supplied by avery hot spring, the temperature of which was unable to take accurately, one of my thermometers not ranging sufficiently high, while the boiling point thermometer was not gradu- ated low enough; the temperature is, I believe, 150° or 160°, much hotter than other springs which issue along the foot of the hills, though all have a high temperature. At Ailat lions and leopards abounded. Of the former, one came one evening within 200 yards of our tents, but we could not succeed in shooting it. A cow tied up as a bait was entirely devoured by hyenas (H. crocuta,) which were as numerous here as everywhere else in Abyssinia. The spotted hyena, though smaller in size, is far bolder than his striped relative (. striata). Ihave never heard of even a young bullock or cow being killed by the latter in India, although I have known hundreds of instances of young buffaloes or bullocks being tied up as baits for tigers and panthers. I obtained several birds at Ailat which I had not previously met with, the most interesting being Micronisus niger, Ll. gabar, Cen- tropus superciliosus, Lamprotorms rufiventris, Quelea sanguiniros- tris, Halcyon rufiventer, Promerops senegalensis, Dryoscopus cubla, 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 279 &c. I also obtained a fine wild pig (Phacocharus Atliant), of which the skull has been preserved. Bustards (Otis Arabs) Beni Israel (Anti- lope Cephalophus Hemprichii) and guinea fowl (Nuwmida ptilo- rhyncha) abounded, , We remained at Ailat until the 30th June, when we were induced to leave in consequence of a very sad accident, an Abyssinian servant of Mr. Jesse’s being killed in the night by a leopard in our camp. This was done so quietly that our first intimation was an outcry from the man nearest to the one killed, who was awakened by the animal dragging the body past him. The unfortunate Abyssinian was quite dead with two or three tooth marks in his throat. The wild animals are probably the reason why, in this country, all villages and all en- campments are placed at a considerable distance from water, and we invariably afterwards had fires kept burning all night, a most important precaution. This circumstance of course alarmed all our men, and, as all our search after the beast proved fruitless, we determined to move at once. We accordingly went northwards along the base of the hills to Asus, and thence to Kusaret, a little way within the ranges, intending to go on to Tunfia, a place said to be 2,000 feet or rather more above the sea, with a pleasant climate. But at Asus we heard from Mr. Munzinger that he would still be detained for some time in Massowa, and that we had better go on by ourselves to Keren in Bogos vid Ain and the Lebka valley, as the direct route vid Kusaret is impracticable for camels. As we were all more or less tired of the heat, and Mr. Jesse was for two or three days very ill from exposure to the sun, we determined on pushing at once for the higher country. We accordingly marched to Kanzal 20 miles, and thence made a long march of 30 miles at night. across the desert of Shob to Ain where the Lebka stream emerges from the hills: no water occurring between the two places, the march could not be divided. We had not long left Kanzal, when we came to an encamp- ment of the Warea tribe, pitched as usual about 3 miles from water. The encampment was surrounded by a circular low thorn fence, inside which were small hemispherical huts of mats with a framework of sticks. These were arranged in a circle just inside the fence. In the central space, where the goats and cattle were herded at night, stood 280 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Dec. two or three isolated huts, one of which was said to be used for marriages and another for the sick. The people resembled Shohos, having bushy frizzled hair with long curls, but besides the spear, the universal weapon of Abyssinia, and indeed of almost the whole of Africa, the chiefs wore straight swords of European manufacture, and not curved scimitars like those of the Shohos and Danakils. The head sheikh, a most truculent looking old ruffian, but very civil nevertheless, went on with us for some distance, and we com- menced our night march across the desert. It was a bright moonlight night and we met with large herds of Gazella seemmeringu. We rested for a few hours after midnight and, starting again at daybreak, reached Ain about 8 o’olock. There we halted for a day and then marched up the Lebka valley. The road, like the path from Koomeylee to Senafé, and all the passes leading to the Hthiopian highlands, is the bed of a torrent, and the ascent in the Lebka is even more gradual than from Koomeylee. In a march of 20 miles we only ascended about 1,000 feet, and the greater portion of this ascent appeared to be at a few narrow rocky gorges. The hills at the sides of the pass are very barren, and the scenery nowhere so grand as in the magnificent gorge of Sooroo be- tween Koomeylee and Senafé. Two marches of about 20 to 25 miles each, led us up this valley, the first to Mohabar, the second past Kelamet, a small village of the Az Temeriam tribe, to Kokai. Here we almost suddenly—certainly within a distance of 5 or 6 miles— passed from a periectly desert region into hills covered with grass and green bushes, and rich valleys with fine trees, amongst which Adansonia and the Kolqual, that magnificent Huphorbiacious plant which forms sO conspicuous an element in Abyssinian scenery, were abundant. This change took place at about 3,500 feet, Kokai being about 4,000. We had passed suddenly into the region of the Abyssinian rains. At Kokai we found a large encampment of the Az Temeriam with an immense herd of camels, These people and all others of the Habab and Shoho tribes, live a curious nomade life. During the cold weather, from November till April or May, they inhabit the lowlands near the Red Sea, which, at that time, in consequence of the winter rain, afford pasturage for their animals. When grass and water fail in Samhar, as the tract along the sea is called, these people 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 281 move with their camels, cattle, sheep, goats and mules to the high- lands and remain there from June till November. They are thus during different parts of the year subject to different nationalities ; they pay tribute to the Turks for their occupancy of the lowlands, and to the Abyssinians for the pasturage in the highlands. They are all Mahommedans. - We had seen a few tracks of wild elephants on our road up the valley. They migrate like the people, descending to the lowlands when the latter are green with the winter’s rain, and ascending to the high- lands in June and July. We heard that some were in the neighbour- hood of Kokai, and the morning after our arrival, the villagers brought us information of a small herd near our encampment. They were in fact only about a mile distant, and, singularly enough, in the middle of the camels which were feeding in all directions in the jungle. They were in a most extraordinary place for wild elephants. Not only were there the camels, but the men with the camels had been in the immediate neighbourhood the whole morning, shouting and making a noise that no Indian wild elephant in the daytime would have remained within miles of. When the elephants were first pointed out to us, a camel was quietly browzing within 20 yards of one of them, neither elephant nor camel taking any notice of each other. There were 5 elephants; one old female and 4 males of various sizes, the largest nearly the size of the female, the others smaller, the ‘youngest not above 3 feet high. We succeeded in killing all, the little one being shot by some mistake. They shewed no disposition to fight, and we were rather ashamed of killing such quietly disposed animals. The next herd met by one of our party were of a very different temper, and he had to run for his life from them, and Mr. Jesse, one day when collecting little birds with only dust shot in his gun, was charged without provocation by an immense female. It was evident that the whole herd was a family, the mother and her 4 young ones of various ages, and it is probable that in this re- spect the African elephants resemble those of Ceylon as described in Sir EH. Tennant’s work. I secured the skull of the largest elephant. All had very small tusks, as indeed, have all the elephants of this portion of Abyssinia; so that nearly tuskless races occur amongst the African as well as the Asiatic elephants. We tried elephant’s 282 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Dec. trunk and foot, baking them in a hole in which a big fire had been made, after the most approved African recipe. The trunk was pro- nounced excellent though rather hard; as to the foot we were none of us inclined to endorse Sir Samuel Baker’s high approval of it. The whole of the elephant’s flesh, indeed, I may say everything from the carcass soft enough to be eaten, was carried off for food by the natives. The skin they also took to make into shields. Mr. Jesse and I remained at Kokai some days: the fauna was very rich ~ and interesting. Amongst the birds were a parrot, Paocephalus Meyeri, and 8 kinds of Rollers—Coracias Abyssinica, like the Indian bird in plumage, but with elongated tail feathers ; C. Levadllanti which is more nearly allied to the Huropean roller; and Hurystomus afer which I had not previously met with. I also obtained here a species of Oxylophus, (probably O. afer,) Chizaerhis zonura and many other species. On the 13th July, we marched from Kokai to Bedjuk in the Anseba valley. The road lay over a low pass, Mas’halit, about 4,800 feet above the sea, separating the feeders of the Lebka from the Anseba valley. Bedjuk, the principal village of the tribe of that name, was by far the largest place we had seen since leaving Massowa. Here also we came upon the first cultivation we had met with. The Habab tribes cultivate small tracts of land in Samhar and other parts of the lowlands after the winter rains, but they possess no land in the highlands. The cultivation around Bedjuk consisted entirely of. jawari or millet (Holcus), apparently the only grain grown at this season in this part of the country. The Anseba valley near Bedjuk is an undulating tract 8 or 10 miles broad, but becoming narrow above and below. Except a considerable area of cultivated ground near Bedjuk and smaller tracts near some other villages, all is covered with thin bush jungle, except in the ravines, which contain thick scrub. On the bank of the river there is a belt of high trees with dense underwood, so thick in many places that it is difficult to creep through it except by following the narrow paths made by elephants and rhinoceroses. There was a considerable quantity of water in the river, and frequently it was so much flooded as to be impassable. With the exception of one visit to Keren, the principal village of a i a 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, 283 the Bogos tribe, I remained on the Anseba from the 18th July till the 8th August, collecting ; and I obtained a very fine series of speci- mens. The principal Mammals inhabiting the valley were 2 monkeys, Cynocephalus Hamadryas and Cercopithecus griseoviridis, lions, hyenas, jackals (Canis mesomelas a very handsome species) rhinoceroses (h. Kertloa), elephants, Phacocherus, Hyrax (much less common than in Abyssinia proper), Xerws lewco-wmbrinus, Sciurus annulatus, hares (Lepus Habessinicus) Koodoo, Klipspringer and Beni Israel. The lions were numerous and very noisy, constantly roaring round our tents at night; but we only once saw one and never succeeded in getting a shot at any. The rhinoceroses kept to the neighbourhood of the river, their principal abode being in the dense thickets on the bank, and their presence rendered walking through these thickets rather dangerous. During our stay we killed two; the skeleton of one has been taken by Mr. Jesse to England, where it will doubtless be con- sidered valuable, as no skull even of the species exists in London. Of the other, I have preserved the head (exhibited). This species, which is replaced at the Cape of Good Hope by A&. bicornis appears to be the only black rhinoceros of Northern Africa. It is undoubtedly the same species so frequently mentioned by Sir Samuel Baker. The Koodoo (Strepsiceros) were in small herds in the open jungle away irom the river bank, bucks being very much rarer than does. Klipspringers (Oreotragus saltatrix) occurred on the hills, but they never came down into the valley. Of birds, the superb Helotarsus ecaudatus, one of the finest of the eagles, was far from scarce. Besides Paocephalus Meyeri, another parrot or rather parroquet occurred, Palgornis cubicularis, which appears to be just distinguishable from the common Indian P. for- quatus. Of woodpeckers, I obtained Picus ethiopicus, and of barbets Pogonorhynchus Salt (Laimodon Brucei, Riipp.) Barbatula chryso- comus and Trachyphonus margaritatus which has a call singularly re- sembling that of the grey partridge of India. Centropus superciliosus, a species of Chrysoccoccyx, Oxylophus afer and a second species of Oxy- lophus which I cannot distinguish from the common Indian O. mela- noleucos, and, in August, Cuculuws canorus were the Cuckoos met with. Two species of Indicator occurred in the river thickets. Coliws Senegalensis and C. leucotis, Turacus leucotis, and Chizaerhis zonura 284 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Dre were far from rare, the last two on the river banks only. Of the Fissiros- tral Insessores besides the 3 Rollers, the principal forms were 5 species of Kingfisher, all insectivorous, and all distinct from the 3 species which I obtained on the highlands, and 4 hornbills, of which Tockus larvatus was scarce. It and Zmeteceros Abyssinicus belong to the highland fauna while Yockus erythrorhynchus and T. nasutus are common to the Anseba valley and to the base of the hills. Z. flaviros- tris, so common in the passes below Senafé, did not occur. 2 species of Promerops, P. erythrorhynchus and P. cyanomelas, Nectarwmia pulchella, N. affinis and, very rarely, N. cruentata, Dicrurus lugu- bris, Crateropus leucocephalus and C. leucopygius (another instance of both highland and lowland forms occurring together) Dryoscopus cubla, Telephorus ethiopicus, Oligura micrura, Parus leucomelas, Hyphantornis larvatus, H. personata, Estrelda phenicotis, Lagons- ticta minima and Zonogastris citerior were a few of the more conspi- cuous Insessores. Zreron Abyssinica, Columba guinea and one or two doves were common, Francolinus Riippelli, F. gutturalis, F. Erkeli (rare here, common at higher levels) and Numida ptilorhyncha were the principal Rasores. Waders were scarce, Oiconia Abdimit, Scopus umbretta, Lobiwanellus senegalensis being the most conspicuous, and I obtained a specimen of Gdicenemus affinis. Of water birds I only found Chenalopex Aigyptiacus, the Egyptian goose or sheldrake, which was breeding on trees along the river. Of Reptiles I obtained Hmys (Pelomedusa) Gehaffie and Testudo (Cinixys) Bellianus, Varanus ocellatus and two species of snakes. Butterflies and beetles abounded, and I procured a small collection. Mollusca were singularly scarce. The inhabitants of the valley consist partly of Christian tribes, Bedjuk, Belen, Ge., partly of the Habab Mahommadans, both being perfectly friendly. There is none of the bigotry of the Abyssinian highlands : both Christianity and Mahommedanism are of a low type, and approximate so closely, that conversions from one to the other are constantly taking place. The people composing the tribes are of two classes, chiefs and commoners, of different origin, the former being later immigrants into the country. The latter own all the land, the wealth of the former consisting mainly of cattle. The men, from the age of about 18, let their hair grow into a frizzled mass or into ringlets, 1868. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Societg. 285 it is not plaited as amongst the Abyssinians of Tigré and Amhara, though it is just as liberally plastered with butter or fat. Their weapons are straight swords, spears and shields. 3 Their houses are the same hemispherical mat huts as those men- tioned before. Far more conspicuous, however, are their tombs, which are quite different from any others in Abyssinia, and consist of round heaps of stones, 20 feet or more in diameter, placed generally on the top of a rise, and covered at the top by fragments of quartz. These white tumuli are the most conspicuous objects in the Anseba valley. A few are not covered over with white stones ; these we learned were the tombs of men who had been killed, but whose deaths had not been avenged, the law of blood for blood being strictly carried out. The lex talionis is of this nature. Ifa man has been killed by another, no matter how, whether the man killed was amusing himself by carry- ing off the other’s cattle, whether he was killed accidentally or intentionally, is all the same; the murderer may offer to atone for the offence by paying the relatives of the dead man a certain fixed number of cows; the exact number depending upon whether the man killed was a chief or a commoner. I forget the exact number, but it is rigorously fixed. If this be accepted, it is well, but if not, or if, as is far more frequently the case, no atonement is offered, the rela- tives of the murdered man up to the 7th degree, are bound to kill in turn the murderer or one of his relatives also to the 7th degree, womer and children, however, being excepted. These blood-feuds are gener- ally between families in different tribes, occasionally, however, between families in the same tribe, but they frequently lead to petty wars, and some of the tribes have suffered greatly in consequence, for the feud frequently continues until one family or tribe has lost so many of its members, that there is no hope of avenging the deaths of all, then an arrangement is made and sealed by intermarriage. Many other of the customs of these people are very curious, such as that of sub- mitting disputes to arbitration. There can be no question of their be- ing of a totally different stock from the Abyssinians of the highlands, their features are quite of another cast, and their houses are as distinct as their manners and customs. They have been described by Mr. Munzinger in two works “ Sitten und Rechte der Bogos” and “ Nord- ‘ostafrikanische Skizzen ;”’ but the works seem to be but little known, 236 Procedings of the Asiatic Society (Dec: even in Europe. There are probably few tribes, however, who ppresent more remarkable peculiarities. Mr. Munzinger joined our party after we had been three. or four days at Bedjuk, and remained with us for some days, finally returning with us to Massowa. From his great knowledge of the people, and the respect in which he is held by them, he has considerable influence, and during our stay he succeeded in postponing if not preventing an attack upon some of the Bogos people by the chief of Hamazen, With Mr. Munzinger I spent a day at Keren, the largest village in this part of the country, and in which some French Missionaries are resi- dent. There were other Europeans also in the neighbourhood, amongst them the Count de Seve, one of the French Commissioners, who had accompanied the army in Abyssinia, and who was staying with an Italian, who has lived for some years near the Barka. Except the houses of the Mission and one or two others, all the huts at Keren are the usual mat domes, sometimes covered over with a grass roof, Keren lies about 16 miles 8. W. of Bedjuk in an open plain at the base of a mass of hills composed of highly granitoid gneiss. During our stay in the Anseba valley, we did not remain at Bedjuk, but marched down the valley as far as Maregas, halting at inter- mediate places. The weather was very pleasant, always fine in the morning, though it generally rained for an hour or two, sometimes longer, in the afternoon. About the time we left, the rain was increasing, and we were unable to return down the Lebka. We had to make a detour to the north from Kelamet through Rairo, near Af Abed, where we found very large encampments of the Habab tribes, who had brought their flocks and herds from the north, where no rain had fallen, and pasturage was consequently deficient. Lions were numerous, having as usual follow- ed the cattle. At our next camp on the Lebka, near Ain, 4 of them came within a quarter of a mile of our camp and one of them seized a camel. We succeeding in shooting this one which was a lioness, and the others ran off. The lions had only very short manes, as appears to be universally the case in Abyssinia. | At Rairo the whole country consists of highly granitoid gneiss weathering into the peculiar rounded masses so characteristic of the rock in India, ag in parts of the Sonthal pergunnahs, in Mysore and ——————— ee 1868. | _- Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 287 other parts of Southern India, &c. I found many small flakes of obsidian scattered about, evidently chips struck off in the formation of stone implements. I had before found the same in many places in Abyssinia, near Zoulla and close to Magdala amongst others, but they were more remarkable here, as no volcanic rock from which they could have been derived exists in the neighbourhood. We marched from Rairo into the Lebka, returned along the stream to Ain, and thence crossed the desert by the direct route to Massowa. I halted for 3 days at’ Amba, 30 miles N..W. of Massowa, in order: to endeavour to obtain specimens of the Oryx Beisa. In this I was successful. The Oryx occur singly or in small herds and keep near the places where water is found, as they drink every day. They are very beautiful antelopes, as large asa wild ass and with very much the same colour, form and movement. I killed 4 altogether and have preserved 2 skins and.a skeleton. Ostriches also occur in this part of the country but we saw none. At Amba, the halting-place where I killed the Oryx, we met a ity of Egyptian officers engaged in surveying a line for an electric tele- graph from Massowa to Suakin. We finally returned to Massowa on the 23rd August. Mr. Jesse left by the Egyptian steamer for Suez. My remaining companion and myself, after being kept till the 29th, succeeded in chartering a small open boat to carry us to Aden, Luckily we had a fair wind as far as Perim and we reached Aden on the 3rd September. : ** * * * * * % * % * : After a few remarks made by the President on the great interest which attaches to this paper, the meeting broke up. Lrprary. The following additions have been made to the Library since the the last meeting. *,* The names of the Donors in capitals, Presentations. _ Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 1866.—By tur Acapemy. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 157, Part Il, —By rum Royau Society or Lonpon, 288 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Dec. Bulletin de la Société de Geographie, Aott, 1868.—Tur Groera- PHICAL Society or Paris. Transaction and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, Vol. IX. Part I.—By tae Royat Society or Victoria. Jourual of the Statistical Society of London, Vol. XX XI. Parts II— IIi.—By rue Sraristicat Socrery or Lonpon. Journal of the Chemical Society of London, Vol. VI. July, August, September.—By tux Cuemicat Socrery. Journal Asiatique, Tome XI. No. 43.—By tue Asratic Society oF Paris. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenliandischen Gesellschaft, Band XXII. Heft I. IL. I. Diz Devtscuz MorcentanpiscHE GESELLSCHAFT. Catalogue of Scientific papers compiled and published by the Royal Society of London, Vol. I.—By tue Royat Society or Lonpon. The Fellows of the Royal Society, 80th November, 1867.—Dirrto Ditro. Indische Studien, Vol. X. Part III.—Dr. A. Wezer, The History of India. By Sir H. Elliott, Vol. I. Three copies.— Tue Government oF Inp1a, Home DEPARTMENT. General Report of the North Western Provinces Exhibition held at Agra, February, 1867.—TuHe Government or BENGAL. Adam’s report on Vernacular Education in Bengal and Behar. By the Rev. J. Long. —Tue Government oF Inpia, Home Department. Report of the Inspector-General of Dispensaries in the Panjab, 1867.—Tue GoverNMENT or BENGAL. Ditto on the Sanitary Administration of the Panjab, 1867.--Tux GoVERNMENT OF Ben@at. Records of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. I. Part Ill.—Tuz Government or Beneat. Report on the Administration of the North Western Provinees, 1867-68.—Tue Government, NortaH WestERN Provinces. Selections from the records of Government North West Provinces, Vol. I. No. I.—Tue Government Nortu Western Provinces. Selections from Calcutta Gazettee of the years 1798 to 1805. By W.S. Seton-Karr, Esq.—Tux Government or Beneat. 1868. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 289 Purchase. Revue Des Deux Mondes, 15th September, 1st October, 1868. Comptes Rendus, Nos. 9, 10, 11, 1868. Revue Archéologique, No. IX. 1868. The Quarterly Journal of Science, No. XX. October, 1868. Westminster Review, No. LX VII. October, 1868. Revue de Zoologie, No. 9, 1868. The American Journal of Science and Arts, No. 136, 1868. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, No. X. 1868. Persian MSS. Purchased, Sirdjullughat, by Sirdjuddin ’Ali Khan Arza, ’Atiyyah i Kubra, by Do. Sharh i Zuburi. Dalil i Sati.’ . Exchange. The Atheneum, for August and September, 1868. PRA AAA 28h cnlo QO, ae Th me ahi hi a tA whence poe Pe betes ee 1 BOB Bs fui bi Bsa iit em <7" Uh, 1 acupglat J i : 1 = ve —-4 © t ~ 5 : 8BEF ssi HL KI, VE, ioGmeatneh’ nbn 4 a ees taal tats glk Tsk oi elas . 3 a Pe rd ah nit ul * ar fr ch "4 ’ —- a | ce, ar tee aT hss (Th wie eA WW virhiot r . < 7 <> ‘4 * 4 ae } f ; ‘ i J ' i * 1 Fale — ie fe Te ’ : i akin i>) fs. uf, ‘ : \ 4 . : 1 rr”; q ~ ws 4 * fram) f Nes 4 hy .S ‘ é ¢ * ' f ‘ * ‘ = ‘ ° Oe ‘ - « 7 a > = > 7 : 7 Sve. phd rah ta : = . > 2 “wghy ' an ' : ui ual Prarii 4 by ' i . “ ‘ , b +4 % niu ; ‘ 4 c * > ¥ < ve rviey . , : eee hae . y i é es r t > me 2 ‘ 4 a, Le m4 ‘ 7 ; ; { =~ a ee t +d w i a a j , ri ' f = ih a. 2 F ‘ie + * A ral o " 5 " ‘ Ss | i i 4 . hie “, T i] iy j a ‘i y q ea p Ar + we yee ad ,7 ci rv . a ie 4 Nh _ Site ; . be } = a! aq a re, x. ~ D a hi b s ; Pies ia “a : i > a hi v7. aA” + ¥ ; { i ¥ - cS es oe Ms - a FE: c #* ? uf ‘ Ms . : aT 2 ; i Ye “ Thee a ol ¥e : ~ me ‘= o] . ee ar ' rail eo INDEX. ~~ @@ eu Page "Abdullatif, Maulvi, on the Panthays, ... “ee Boa 229 Abyssinia, letters from, ... one ae Peet = Can LO , Northern, notes on a Journey in, wie soe Tee Acacias of Abyssinia, sole ee dee 83 Accounts of the Society for 1864, Kt bet ... after p. 206 Additions to the Library, vide Library. Address of the President, ... re Sah SR Ae aD 1} Aden, letter from, ... ue bee i zee 65 Ain i Akbari, ... sak sap ne 126, 141, 266 Akbar, emperor, # a ae a oie 222, 263 ?Ali Quli Khan Khanzaman, 222, Alterations in the Bye-laws of the Society 42, 62, 81, 132, 137, 138, 140, 160, 254 Antimachos Theos, coin of, ... aoe ds eid We: Armenian Grammars, notes on, ste is a cmtirrcaaer ai’, Asiatic Russia, Area of, ae bate te uth 86 Auditors of the accounts of the Society, se, 10 Austen, H. H. Godwin, Notes to accompany a Gedlasital Map of the Khasi Hills, es ar sa ae (C: Avdall, J., on Armenian Grammars, he APE NE ii od 1 A’zamuddin, Prince, Persian poems of, ... ae shee) oe Azelisas, coin of, rs ae ae hee ee Bader, Mademoiselle,... “ae ue be hi 82 Bairam Khan, ... ae nb deereelg tum Se Ball, V., remarks on Hinds eee a ap ties 1) 1! on stone implements, ee aes iat, ees), on the Kheriahs,_ _... ay 7 ec on the Flora of Ménbhim, oh Senta, tent ero ll Index. Page Bapu Deva Sastri, Prof., elected Hony. Member, ... ie 62 Beames, J., on Chand’s poems, a ae ye eee: Bibliotheca Indica, progress of, er age ist. Oy bo Birds of Abyssinia, bug a sa Atos 85 — of Goona District, Ae i Ls Ehren Wey Blanford, H. F., on discrepancies in the observations of the Cyclone of 1867, ay at se anges 66 , on Celts, ... a = a ga 59 , on Lt. Sale’s letter, = es ae see 90 ——_———, resigns Secretaryship, eit Blanford, W. T., Contributions to Indian Waa ‘aoe 50 : etter from Aden, ... cea i see 65 , Letter from Zulla, Abyssinia, = ee 5 83 , Letter from Senaffé, ditto, ... 2 sake wallop , on Onchidium, . ah sai eG geet en ————., notes on a Journey in Northern Abyssinia, mag Nf Picotritathe H., Contributions to Persian Lexicography, eet , appointed Secretary, - ose pawn ee , on Persian poets, styled Suulbain = apo ee —_ , notes on a MS. of the Sirajallughat, vache , remarks on the Sundarban, es peey Sate Bopp, F., Obituary Notice of, se He a Bowring, J., on Cromlechs, ... me oe 9: onl So Buddist Monastery, a ee i ao, tee = sees Burmah, History of, ... cr ges ois see a Bye-laws, vide Alterations. Calcutta, antiquity of the name of, . 3 ro) eee Carnegy, P., Queries regarding ee races of hare ee <> Caste, What i is Caste? ... mt cS ot see 86 Celts, notes on, we a — re Be 59 Chand’s poems, ... it ae 63, 165, 245 , MS. of Chand’s poems, ee: ... (63, D65, 2s , contents of, — me ri +: >= Coin Cabinet of the Society, ... = ae aoe 8 Coins, note on, ... ue Oy, ae Cole, Capt. R. A., on Sclebhs, soi a 151, 243 Index. ill Page Committees, appointment of, Sei ala wai, 60,258 Copper implements, ... ees wai 251, 262 Corresponding Members, vide Memberk. Wee Lion Cromlechs and Crosses in Southern India, 116, 147, 151, 184, 243 Cunningham, General A., elected Hony. Member, . ; 62 Curran, R. H., note on ay and siver pieces aes under the skin of a ae convict, -... Se iS sdver oh hb Cyclones, in past centuries, en ne £1 265, 268 Deer, Sanscrit names of the, ae Oe joules 238 Diamonds, Models of,... ae sas ye at) 200 Drymoipus Verreauxi, Tyéler, — ai tad tee neOw Harthquakes, reports on, a a oth sey 2000 Earth, showers of, a er 182 Kclipse, Notes on, ... as 127, 209, 215, 249, 273, 275 Election of office-bearers, ... bi ban 10, 141, 208 Elephants, notes on, ... i ae 118, 127, 129, 131 Elphinstone’s History: of lee deg sab oon, wes 222 Kthnological Congress, to ae ane oi 28 Reports, a ind Bi Saiee ae 29 Everest, Sir G., obituary notice of, nae + ots Dy, AO Fayrer, Dr., President’s Address, ... ae copii te 11 Femme, La, dans l’Inde Antique, Pi ie ae 81 Fughani of Shiraz, ae m me eee Be Gageneshwar, temple of, os Le, ses 3 50 Ganges, action of, near Benares,__.... oh rgd cee cet Gastropoda, new species of, ... AE ay ss ee Gavoeus Gaurus,, ie Sas ae Be Me me" Ghazali of Mashhad, ... ie a site poe ici a _Graminicola Bengalensis, ... ss ne Be ee” 1 Grote, A., elected Hony. Member, a kOe Growse, R, S., on the village of Paindhat, Hagel Mee, ee 62 —_—— on Chand’s poems, nee ae Jae 7 ee Gul i Kushti, ... oe ee oe ee Hearsay, Sir J. B., ibiceary Notice a ae sere oe 26 Helix propinqua, ... ee Ries coe =n pate Hemu, aay ee as ons sh pp tea cutee ne iv Index. Herschel, W., on a Hindu Temple, Honorary Members, Higli, antiquity of the name of, Huvishka, Hydrocissa migratoria, Ae Implements of copper found at Mainpiui, Inscriptions from Mathura, Tron cage found at Faridpur, Jaw jungle, Jaya Chand, king of wean Johnstone, Lieut. J., note on elephants, ... Jones, Sir W., tomb of, Kantipur, village of, ... Khafit Khan, Khan Zaman, teas roe ae Khasi Hills, a ee ee. Kheriahs, a race of Manbhim, eae King, Dr. G., Note on birds of the Gok District, , on the Lion of Aboo, Kurz, S., on Pandanophyllum, , on the genus Pandanus, Latitude, as determined by Captains of Native Poids Vessels, 201 Page : 50 62, 162 267 gas |: 220 adh FARES 251, 262 219 79 200 a 63 118, 127 27 63 OES 220, 224 Rep. 74 fT 7, LOL 118, 177 178, 198 241 257 Lees, Major W.N., on the Maasir i ’Alamgiri and Khafi Khan, 114 Lepcha Grammar, 3 Library, additions to, 7, 51, 75, 101, 133, 156, 178, “204, 295, Limnaetus, several species of, Lions in India, List of Members, Long, Rev. J., on a MS. of Chand’s S poems, , on ae Sundarban, Maasir i ’Alameiri, Macdonald, Major J., on the malinie o Mahabharat, English and Persian translations of, Malacology of Lower Bengal, &., 2 Maingay, Dr. A. C., on rare Malayan animals, 246, 258, 287 195 was ¢eap oe after p. 58 63 265 114 215 ion 43 ...50, 255 127, 177, 194 Index. | v Page Manbhiim, Flora of, cag ses Her: . ee ee Manuscripts, Sanscrit, ee vee Ma ... 48, 51 Mathura, Inseriptions from, ate "i Sti ae > SD Marco Polo, Bs a8 oy ha oa LSD Mazuchelli, Rev. F. F., on an iron cage, on Seay wees 79 Medlicott, H. B., on the action of the Ganges, _.... soy ~ ~282 Meetings, aoe, i ul , Ordinary Monthly, 41, 59, 79, 105, “195, 138, 159, 181, 207, 227, 251, 262 Meetings, Special General, or ee wi) 123,137,249 Megalurus, is or ae ae 200 Members, list of, oy 4g ice ps 58 , Ordinary, elected, 49, 62, 80, 105, 126, 139,.160; 183; 207/227, 252: 262 , Honorary, elected, .. cs 4 : . : a Wrst : - " 3. q ‘4 ‘ <4; Ger gng "i ‘ : . ees ‘ " - : " - . “4: j bs . 2 Ste ae GAL, Sy . “bod > he a A . < os Per er ee ger eet " 0 n- ee, a . , “ 1-8 a Sem oo m= & 2 ae at: eee = OGM as Wek eee eee ‘ gale & ‘o-B-e~ % a +" * ~~ “s 9 ie io Tee es er rts Pie. aS. - PP we -% e=>-@ * ase shaw ; ’ Ges Gee ee ‘ ++ pees team Pa e=a> ie he Plt ede ee ately ‘ " bette tl - A=<- . ~.- “\ Am ag 1 Pee 66 = eo ss Y * . > aee-s + 9 : Pe era S-+" , :=%- - " aa we : eee h ewe = Cater tea ka en ee ‘ ae =a we ‘ Tr 4 ae " lea -O~ f6 Wis h- ee ‘ D +. hee *. 4 eeee%, 2 « o i “a> ty ty ue he - ant POs hat oe, Pars ay eet ee *- of : SR ees pe et ee ar . : b ; AP ht ee tee 4 * - : a set o 20 -e- 6 —e- = — 4 . 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