On Coloured Shadows. 43 



these experiments, and in the state of the bodies employed by 

 the philosopher in his observations. 



Bihliotheque Universelle, May 1826. 



Notice 7rgarding the Little Andaman Island, Bay of Bengal. 

 Communicated by Cornet J. E. Alexande;r, H. M. 13th 

 Light Dragoons. With a Plate. 



vJn the 12th November 1825, the Honourable Company's 

 transport, Earl Kellie, having on board 4 companies of H. M. 

 45th regiment, and 100 Madras pioneers, destined for foreign 

 service in the Birman Empire, steering a S.E. course, hove in 

 sight of the Little Andaman Island, in latitude 10° 45' N., and 

 longitude 92° 12' E., bearing from E. to E.S E., and distant 

 4 leagues. At 10 a. m. bore up, and stood in for the land to 

 get a supply of water, our stock of which was almost exhaust- 

 ed, from the unusual length of the voyage, occasioned by the 

 baffling winds we experienced in the middle of the Bay. At 11 

 saw a brig, hull down, bearing N. W., steering to the S.E. 

 At 12 sounded on a coral reef 8, 9, 10, 12, and 16 fathoms, 

 patches, the bottom seen plainly under the ship, with numerous 

 sharks following the vessel, one of which we succeeded in kill- 

 ing. Observed a niurwna ophis or sea-serpent ; length about 

 3 feet ; back brownish, belly white, tail rounded, a row of black 

 spots along the sides, and without the caudal fin. A monstrous 

 fish likewise made its appearance near the vessel, seemingly of 

 the genus Raia or ray ; its length about 20 or 25 feet, very 

 broad, and colour of back reddish. A very heavy swell on the 

 bank ; steering from N.N.E. to N.W. to haul off it, ran a dis- 

 tance of 4 knots, when the water deepened to 20 fathoms. When 

 on the coral shoal, in 8 fathoms water, the extremes of the 

 island from E. j W. to N.N.E., and a small bay in the centre of 

 the island ; — at 11 r. m. saw a light on shore ; brought up off 

 the N.W. point, and anchored in 8 J fathoms, at 2 J miles from 

 shore. 



VMh November. — At dayjight proceeded in one of the cutters 

 along with the chief mate in search of water. On approaching 

 the shore, observed a woman and child on the beach, who, up- 

 on perceiving the boat, ran into the jungle; they appeared to 



