258 Proceedings of the Boyal Physical Society. 



a kind of network of smaller cord. This rude helmet is used 

 for playing singlestick in the Island of Chowra. 



7. Human image holding a spear carved in wood. This is 

 a charm for frightening away evil spirits. It is only 13 in. 

 high, but similar figures, life-size, represented in the act of 

 striking with a spear, are often to be seen at the entrances of 

 native huts. 



8. Two miniature human figures, rudely carved in wood, 

 and smeared with yellow and vermilion : also figures of a dog 

 and a pig carved in wood, but displaying little art. These 

 are partially smeared with vermilion only on the bare wood. 



9. Bark of a species of Celtis (Ulmacese), prepared for use 

 as clothing by the natives. 



10. Model of a Nicobarese hut. It is of bee-hive shape, 

 elliptical in plan, and supported on posts. The floor is from 

 7 to 10 ft. from the ground and is reached by a ladder, but 

 there is a lower platform which is used as a store-house for 

 food, hen-coops, etc. These huts are situated near the high- 

 water line, and suggest a comparison with the ancient lake- 

 dwellings of Switzerland and other countries. 



XXVI. Obituary Notice of Sir C. Wyvillc Thomson, LL.B., 

 F.RS. By George Leslie, Esq., M.B., CM. 



(Read 15th November 1882.) 



During this passing year biological science has lost some 

 of its most devoted followers. Darwin and Francis Balfour, 

 the Well-beloved, have finished their work. We have now 

 to speak for a little of the completed life and achievement 

 of a famous naturalist, who w^as long and intimately con- 

 nected with this city and with this Society. 



Charles Wyville Thomson was born on the 5th March 

 1830, at Bonsyde, Linlithgowshire, where the family had been 

 long resident. Bonsyde, beautiful as to situation, with its 

 varied prospect of palace, mountain, loch, and stormy firth, 

 was a fitting home for the young nature-student, and it was, 

 throughout his life, his much-loved haven. 



lie received his general education at Merchiston Castle in 



