Jjescription of the Falls ofGersuppah. 129 



meet the fingers on the front aspect. The vestiges of one com- 

 mon navel are visible at the lower and middle part of the band. 

 When either of the boys was desired to cough, it became evident 

 to the person grasping the band that a ruptural protrusion was 

 forced into the band next the individual who coughed, and a 

 middle shut space of more than an inch remained of these rup- 

 ture sacs. These facts are of importance, because in the event 

 of death to one of the twins the life of the remaining brother 

 might be preserved by a prompt and skilful separation of the dead 

 individual. The pulse of the boy on the right side was 87 beats 

 in a minute, that of the one on the left 82 ; but as they had not 

 before seen a stop watch, and were much agitated by observing 

 its movements, it is probable that moral excitement had some 

 influence on the frequency of their pulses. Their general aspect 

 was alike, and their teeth of similar diameter. They were cheer- 

 ful, apparently in equal good health, and evidently unaccus- 

 tomed to petty restraints. 



" There is nothing disgusting or even indecorous in the exhi- 

 bition of these curious persons ; and they do not deserve to be 

 regarded as monsters, since their slender union is but one of 

 many instances which happen to the whole animal creation. If 

 indeed nature had not carefully provided against its frequency 

 to the human race, the occasional appearance of united twins 

 would give rise to many legal perplexities." 



Art. XIV. — Contributions to Physical Geography. 

 1. Description of the Falls of Gersuppah in North Canara. 



The following description of the falls of Gersuppah, in North 

 Canara, appears in a letter, published in a Madras paper ; they 

 are represented to be the grandest in the world. 



" The falls are situated at the distance of a mile to the west 

 of a small village called Kodakainy, which forms the boundary 

 of the Bilghy Talook, in North Canara, and lies contiguous to 

 the Sagara district of Mysore, receiving a continual supply of 

 water from twelve streams, which conjoin, as the name implies, 

 at Baringee, in Mysore ; five of these pursue their course from 

 Ramachendapoorah ; four from Futty Pettah, or the town of 



NEW SERIES. VOL. II. NO. I. JAN. 1830. I 



