Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 7, Part 1.djvu/331

1838.] same of the black pagoda sculpture ; this temple is now under spoliation by the Khurda raja, and Mr. Kittoe suggested that the Society should secure some of the better samples of its rich carving for their museum, rather than allow them to be fractured and thrown away. His visit to the coal district was attended with success and will form the subject of a separate report. The drawings had not then arrived, but we have since been gratified with a sight of them, and have remarked decided traces of the Greek soldier's dress in the battle scenes, as we noticed in the Bkilsa tope relievos.]

A further note on the geography of Cochin China was submitted by the Bishop of Isauropolis. A letter from Captain Burnes gave an account of the Reg ruwnn or moving sand near Cabut, — with a drawing of the hill by Mr. Gonsalves. Captain Cautley communicated the journal of a trip to the Niti pass of the Himalayas, by H. Batten, E.-q. C. S. A drawing by Mr. G. Tebbs, of a large fossil head (elephant) lately extracted from the rock near Narsinhpur, was sent by Dr. Spilsbuby. Specimens of coal from a new site near the Damoda discovered by Lieut. J. Harryngton, were presented by Mr. Mangl es. [Extract of a letter to Captain Wilkinson.] " I send you a specimen of coal brought from pergana Jherria, in which pergana that mineral abounds. This was taken from the surface of the ground about a quarter of a mile east of the town of Jherria, and five or six miles from the banks of the Damoda river. Of the depth or extent of the bed I cannot speak precisely, but it lies near the surface, is I believe of considerable thickness, and with perhaps occasional breaks or flows extends for many miles. I have found it within half a mile of the Damoda and in some places it probably reaches the banks. " The quality of the coal seems to be good ; the specimen I send, and all that T have procured, have been exposed to the weather for ages, and one I should sup- pose inferior to what might be had at greater depths. It burns freely in a small stove and reduces completely into ashes, so that it is free from slate or other in- combustible substance. " To enable you to trace the position of this valuable bed of coal I may mention that it lies in about Lat. 23° 43' N. and Long. 86 c 30' E. being about 30 miles west from the Chinakuri Colliery, and on the northern or left bank of the Damoda." Rurulia, 1 6th Murch, 1838. J (Signed) J. Harryngton. [For an analysis of the specimen, see the table published this month.] Some specimens of the fossil bones discovered by Mr. Pope, at the Cape of Good Hope, supposed to be in continuation of the series presented by him on 7th September, 1836, had arrived addressed to Mr. It. Trotter, who being absent, the Secretary had claimed them for the Society. No description had been received. Mr. W. Cracroft, presented 2 water snakes in spirits, from Ganga Sugar, 1 crab, and the fin of a bhekti fish with a sucking insect attached. Also the skeleton of the head of a kangaroo rat. Lieutenant Fell, I. N., presented 3 fish and a few insects. Mr. Nicolas, a bird, the Austrian Patrincole mounted.

When the ordinary business was concluded Mr. J. W. Grant exhibited to the members present, with the aid of a very beautiful lucernal microscope belonging to himself, some of the fossil infusoria lately the subject of so much discussion at home. Living infusoria of nearly the same species had frequently been compared therewith, but they were not now in season; other kinds were plentifully exhibited, as also the ashes of the various coals of Bardwan and Assam, in which Mr. Grant pointed out a marked difference, so much so that he could tell to which field any specimen belonged from the appearance of its ashes under the microscope. Mr. Grant received the thanks of the Members present, for the gratification afforded them.