Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 5.djvu/348

296 again to the Asti fossil as figured in, I think that a clear identification is established.

As my object in writing this note is simply to point out the distinctive characters of the teeth of the mastodon à dents etroites, which have been found in the Siwálik hills, it is unnecessary to make any further remarks until we can enter upon a general description of the fossil mastodons and elephants of these hills; noting however, that from the half of a lower jaw of this species, with its ramus attached, which is now in my possession, we may look forward to some peculiarities of form, differing very materially not only from the fossil and existing elephant, but also from the other species of mastodons.

Up to this period I am only aware of the discovery of two species of mastodons in the Siwálik hills; namely, the variety of M. angustidens which is the subject of this note, and the M. Elephantoides of Clift. The former is very rare, and the latter in very great abundance.

If the accompanying meteorological table, kept at Bangalore, for the year 1835, be of any interest, you are at liberty to make any use of it you please. It has been drawn up for the medical reports, which I am in the habit of transmitting to the heads of my department, and the transcription of which is all the trouble it now gives. The original table, as kept every two hours for the entire of 1834 and 1835, are also at your service; but they are two voluminous and bulky, I should think for any useful purpose. The column of monthly average was obtained by adding the state of the thermometer, kept every two hours for the entire 24 hours; dividing this by 12, gave the average for each day. These added together for the month, and divided by the number of days in the month, give the monthly average noted in the table.

The wards of the hospital are visited by one of the medical pupils or apprentices every two hours from 10 to 4, whose duty it is to give medicine, &c. to the sick, and, at the same time, to mark the thermometer. The corporal of the guard, when relieving the sentries, is responsible, and sees this duty performed; and, in the day time, the hospital serjeant, apothecaries, pupils on duty, &c. mark it, the rest of the 24 hours; so that every source of error is endeavoured to be avoided. The thermometer marked S., or side, is fixed on the end of a shelf, some inches from the wall, and by its position, screened from the influence of the glare or reflected heat; the other, marked C. or centre, is suspended from the centre of the room, about seven feet from the floor, and the general agreement of the two instruments is a pretty good guarantee for their accuracy. The apartment is the surgery of the