some therefore inclined to believe, that as the Goonds are in the habit of giving every eminence a name, this has by chance received the term above mentioned. On examining the hill we found that the eruption extends from the bottom to about three parts up. The effect of the shock has been to tear out, and push to either side, enormous masses of rock; (many of which have been split by the convulsion) and turn over trees of large size-conveying to the eye, the exact appearance as if a long mine had been so laid, that when exploded it had completely cleared a road-way of about 30 feet in breadth, and five or six in depth, leaving merely the bare surface of the rock composing the hill itself, exposed in many places; or, as if a gigantic plough had been passed down the mountain oversetting, tearing up, and pushing to either side, every obstacle that opposed it.-Rocks of from 20 to 30 feet in circumference, are seen split in half and removed to either side the line of eruption, not by any means exhibiting a tendency towards the foot of the hill, but appearing as if torn from their original position, and forced to the right and left-showing that the direction of the shock was from the interior, and not the upper part of the hill, as would have been the effect of a landslip. Indeed the position in which trees of large size are found, many of them with their roots uppermost, and branches entirely buried in the debris, clearly show that their displacement was occasioned by a more than natural cause. As many most respectable natives testify to the truth of the terrific noises that were heard during the night of the 27th May, we can have no reason to doubt this fact. However with the most careful search I could find nothing of a volcanic nature apparently of a more recent date, than such specimens as are found all over this part of Central India. And now Sir, without intruding any idea of my own, as to the nature of the convulsion, let me begyour serious (?) consideration of the following conclusion at which the learned Thuseeldar has arrived: viz. "That the earth having become much heated, by the foregoing hot weather, had got fever; but having here opened, the bad matter had been discharged," and there was every likelihood of her doing well again !! Seonee, 25th February, 1847. Your's very truly, D. BRIGGS, Lieut. Supt. Jubblepore and Kamptee Road. Papers were presented By Mr. Blyth on the species of Wild Sheep. By Dr. W. B. O'Shaughnessy on explosive cotton and the results of the Artillery trials at Dum-Dum. By Captain Madden, Bengal Artillery-Visit to the Pindree Glacier. Reports were submitted by the Curators in the Geological and Zoological Departments. Report of the Curator, Museum of Economic Geology, December to February. I have received, through the Secretary to the Superintendent of Marine, the following very curious account of a phenomenon seen at sea. It were to be wished that we had many more such observers as the intelligent young officer who has given us this interesting note, for there is no doubt that these appearances are either indications of some extensive action going on, volcanic or electric, or of remarkable abundance of luminous animalculæ, and of which, if any of the water has been preserved, we may obtain some indices by chemical examination. I have written to Mr. Pearson and to Captain Biden, Master Attendant of Madras, requesting both to use their best endeavours to obtain for us specimens of the water, for I should suppose it impossible that some has not been preserved, since the ship must have carried a Surgeon who certainly should have done this. No. 2310. To H. PIDDINGTON, Esq. SIR, I have the honour by direction of the Offg. Superintendent of Marine, to forward for your information, the accompanying copy of a letter from Mr. George F. Pearson, Cadet of Infantry, Madras Presidency, dated the 27th ultimo, and of my reply thereto dated yesterday. MY DEAR SIR,-In Lat. 37° 42′ South, Long. 28° 48′ East, being on board the barque Hashemy bound from London to Madras, we fell in with the following phenomenon in the sea, which perhaps may prove of some interest to you. On the 17th of April in the above Lat. and Long, about 9 hrs. 45 min. (civil time) P. M. the surface of the sea became covered with what appeared to be a thick foam of a sparkling white appearance. This continued, being at intervals more or less bright and sparkling till near midnight. It seemed to exist in large patches over the sea, and when the appearance was at its height the passage of the vessel through the water could be compared to nothing else than if it were being borne through beds of driven snow. During the phenomenon the Barometer was depressed of an inch, and a thick black cloud hung over the vessel, which circumstances will I think indicate the presence of a large body of electricity in the atmosphere. I should likewise mention that the wind, which for two days had been very light, indeed at times almost calm, three quarters of an hour before the first appearance, shifted from N. N. E. into N. W. from which quarter it blew a steady breeze till morning, when it died away into a light air. On the afternoon of the same day several persons had perceived and actually talked about a dry kind of sulphureous smell in the atmosphere, wondering from whence it could procced; was it not possible then that as the appearance was very much that of a gaseous vapour rising through the water, it might have been the effect of some submarine Volcano, the foaming appearance being caused by the fumes of sulphur rising through the water? I had a bucket full of the water drawn up, some of which I put in a tumbler and tasted. It had a very bright sparkling appearance as of the purest spring water, but I could not discern any difference in its taste from common sea water. In looking over Horsburgh's work I perceive that vessels have occasionally fallen in with a similar appearance, though if I could judge from his account, on a smaller scale. Surely it must have been something of this sort which vessels have mistaken for shoal water even when they could obtain no soundings. Hence the Telemachus Shoal and many others whose existence appears very doubtful. Knowing the interest the Marine Board take in circumstances of this kind, I trust the extraordinary and interesting nature of this phenomenon may be sufficient apology for the liberty one, who is about to enter another profession of a very different nature, now takes in addressing you. I remain, &c., (Signed) GEO. F. PEARSON, Palaveram, May 27th, 1846. Cadet of Infantry, Major D. Williams of Kyouk Phyoo has sent to us a small box of the minerals and earths ejected by the recent eruption of the Mud Volcano near the station. Upon examination I find them to consist exactly of the same kind as before. (Proceedings of October 1843), namely, grey indurated mud and shale, with black shaley masses, carbonate of lime fibrous and semi-crystallised, and Iron Pyrites. Our active contributor Dr. Spilsbury, sends us from Bundlecund 12 Specimens Trap Rocks of various kinds. 1 Of the Copper ore from Sahghur reported on before. 20 Specimens of fossils of various kinds. 5 Specimens of the fine coal from Lameter Ghat. We have received from our able contributor Lieut. Sherwill, of the Shahabad Revenue Survey, his splendid map of that district, which fully equals the former one, and he has added to it also some notes which, together with his magnificent collection of specimens (noticed in report of November 1845, when the present map and notes were promised), are like the former on Zillah Behar, unequalled by any contribution yet sent to the Society, as the fruit of the labours of a public officer in a most active department, yet finding time to combine with them, and to add so highly to their value, such researches. In reference to these maps I have to submit for the orders of the Secretary and the Society the following letters. No. 61. To H. PIDDINGTON, Esq. SIR,-As I am desirous of having the Geological maps of Zillah Behar, and the southern portion of Zillah Shahabad lithographed in the Government Press, and as the original of these records are in your possession, I shall feel obliged by your making them over to me, at your earliest convenience, for the purpose specified above. 2nd. One lithographic impression of each map will be duly made over to you when received from the press. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, H. L. THUILLIER, Offg. Deputy Surveyor General, Supt. of Revenue Survey's Office, Calcutta, the 6th March, 1847. Capt. H. L. THUILLIER, Offg. Deputy Surveyor General. SIR,-In reply to your letter of this date, 6th, I beg to say that the maps in question are presented to the Asiatic Society for the Museum of Economic Geology. 2. Major Wroughton took a copy of the Geological map of Zillah Behar, which is no doubt in your office. 3. That of Zillah Shahabad will be submitted to the Society at its meeting on the 10th, when I will not fail to take the orders of the Secretary and the Society concerning it. There can be no objection, but on the contrary great advantage in having these valuable labours of Captain Sherwill's made as public as possible, but the originals I apprehend must eventually remain with us. Museum, 8th March, 1847. I have the honour to be, Sir, (Signed) Your obedient Servant, H. PIDDINGTON, Cur. Mus. Eco. Geology. No. 63. From Lieut. H. L. THUILLIER, Offg. Deputy Surveyor General, To H. PIDDINGTON, Esq. Curator Museum Economic Geology. SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated 8th inst. and with reference to the 2nd Paragraph, beg to state, that a Copy of the Geological Map of Zillah Behar is in my office, but, as it is necessary whenever any map is to be lithographed, to take the exact impression from the original if possible, I trust the Society will not object to my being supplied with both the maps, executed by Captain Sherwill, for the purpose above specified. 2. On the Maps being lithographed, the Originals shall be returned, together with one Colored Impression of each of the Districts. I have the honour to be, Sir, Supt. Revenue Survey's Office, Calcutta, 9th March, 1847. Your most obedient Servant, H. L. THUILLIER, Offg. Deputy Surveyor General. I have put into the form of a paper for the Journal the examination of a new Carbonaceous Mineral, which I have named Tremenheerite. It is a variety of the Anthracinæ, but neither Anthracite nor Plumbago, and is thus well entitled to a separate name. Report of the Curator, Museum of Zoology. My Report for this evening's meeting is more brief than usual; and so much time has been expended during the past month in setting up the skin of the Giraffe, that I have but a small collection of other mounted specimens to exhibit. The donations for the museum are as follow:- 1. G. H. Bushby, Esq., Secretary to Government. A living specimen of a Marmot (Arctomys bobac, Pallas, v. tibetanus, Hodgson), from Sikim. This little animal is not more than a third grown, is quite tame, and seems likely to bear the difference of climate, as it does not appear to be incommoded by the heat. 2. G. T. Lushington, Esq., of Almorah. Two skins of the Tibetan Fox (Vulpes nipalensis, as erroneously designated by Mr. Gray). 3. D. C. Money, Esq. A specimen of a Nilotic Crocodile (Crocodilus vulgaris), taken near Thebes, and quite distinct from Cr. palustris, Lesson, of the Ganges, &c., which is regarded as a mere variety of the same by MM. Dumeril and Bibron. The length of this specimen is 10 feet; and we have stuffed examples of Cr. palustris and Cr. biporcatus, of the same length, from the neighbourhood of Calcutta. Also a mummied Ibis, the skeleton of which will perhaps bear setting up. 4. R. Templeton, Esq., M. D., of Colombo. A further collection of Cinghalese |