202 



count of the state of science there, and many zoological 

 and botanical notices : 



The province of Tavoy and the other adjacent provinces are 

 almost entirely unexplored. They were visited by Dr. Wallich 

 many years ago, and some of his botanical discoveries were publish- 

 ed in his " Plantae Asiaticse rariores," a copy of which never has 

 reached that coast. Dr. Griffiths also made an excursion there, 

 and made extensive collections, but no account of them has ever 

 been given, so that the flora is yet almost wholly unknown. 



Somewhat more has been done in zoology, and yet very little 

 certain information is abroad concerning even the quadrupeds. 

 There are five- or six species of deer, but not one of them is iden- 

 tified with certainty. The name of the most common monkey is 

 not known positively. A British officer had not long since written 

 that he had procured a monster from a Karen, such a beast as no 

 one had before seen. It proved to be a Tapir, the first that had 

 been seen on the coast by Europeans, though Mr. M. bad been 

 aware of its existence, from native descriptions, for many years. 



Several collections of birds had been made and carried to Ben- 

 gal, but he was not aware that collections of either the reptiles, in- 

 sects or shells had been made. Mr. M. was collecting in the two 

 latter departments. 



He alluded to a remarkable ciimatal difference between this and 

 the opposite, or Coromandel coast, as indicated by the vegetation. 

 Several plants were mentioned, which, in the latter place, grow on 

 elevated land, but which are found at a level with the sea in Tavoy. 

 He accounts for this difference by the fact, that on the Coromandel 

 coast, the monsoons in the summer season blow overland from the 

 south-west ; while it is a sea breeze, and accompanied by 200 or 

 300 inches of rain, in Tavoy. On the other hand, in the winter, the 

 Tavoy wind comes overland from the mountains of China, while it 

 is a sea breeze on the opposite coast; so that the cold season, as 

 well as the hot season, is rendered cooler. 



He mentioned that, as the business of collection was consid- 

 ered somewhat anti-missionary, very little assistance could be ob- 

 tained from others ; but that he should avail himself of such 

 opportunities as would not interfere with his proper duties, to col- 

 lect objects for the Society. 



