1819.] Scientific Intelligence. 147 
multitudes sought refuge from death at Bombay ; but many of 
them arrived in too exhausted a state to be saved by the utmost 
exertions of humanity and skill. This calamity began to affect 
the mortality in 1803 ; and its effects are visible in the deaths of 
1805.” 
From other data, it appears that the average of the deaths of 
the Mahometan sects during 1806, 1807, and 1808, were to their 
whole numbers as | to 171, of the Parsees as | to 24, and of the 
Christians in different districts between 1 to 22, and 1 to 16. 
With respect to the relative proportion of males to females in 
Bombay, it appears that the number of males exceed in general that 
of females throughout all the different sects comprising the popu- 
lation of the island (except the Christians, and for which no cause 
is assigned)—an insuperable argument against the necessity of 
polygamy, especially when taken in conjunction with similar 
well-authenticated facts. Indeed this practice appears to be 
very limited, and to be confined almost exclusively to the rich ; 
for it is stated that out of 20,000 Mahometans in Bombay, only 
about 100 have two wives ; and only five have three ; so incon- 
siderable, continues the author, “is the immediate practical 
result of a system, which in its principles and indirect conse- 
quences produces more evil than perhaps any other institution.” 
—(Abstracted from note to discourse delivered at the opening of 
the Literary Society of Bombay by Sir J. Mackintosh.) 
IX. Gezangabeen, or Perstan Manna. 
This substance, to which various origins have been assigned, 
is found chiefly in Persia and Arabia. Capt. E. Frederick, of 
the Bombay establishment, states, that the gez of which he 
supposes the gezangabcen is formed, is found on a shrub, resem- 
bling the broom, called the gavan, which he describes as 
growing “ from a*small root to the height of about two feet and 
a half, and spreading into a circular form at the top, from three 
to four feet and a half in circumference. The leaves were small 
and narrow; and underneath the gez was observed, spread all over 
the tender branches like white uneven threads, with innumerable 
little insects creeping slowly about. 
“« These insects were either of three species, or the same in 
three different stages of existence. The one was perfectly red, and 
so small as to be scarcely perceptible; the second dark, and 
very like a common louse, though not so large ; and the third a 
very small fly. They were all extremely dull and sluggish, and 
fond of lying or creeping about between the bark of the 
gavan and the gez.” This substance is stated to be collected 
every third day for 28 days*about the month of September. 
Capt. F. made the above observations near the town of Khonsar, 
where, and in Looristan, this substance is chiefly found. He states 
that the gez is obtained by beating the bushes with a stick. 
When first separated, it is a white sticky substance, not unlike 
hoar frost, of a very rich sweet taste. te is purified by boiling, 
K 2 
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