VOL. LXXIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 56l 



the comets discovered by M. Mechain in 1787, a former one of my sister's in 

 1786, and one of Mr. Pigott's in 1783; in neither of which any defined, solid 

 nucleus could be. perceived. 



XIII. Indications of Spring, observed by Robert Marsham, Esq., F. R. S., of 

 Stratton in Norfolk. Latitude 52° 45'. 



This is merely a register, for each year from 1736 till 1788, of the earliest 

 date, month and day in each year, when the following circumstances occurred or 

 took place, each being arranged in a separate column; viz. snowdrop flower, 

 thrush sings, hawthorn leaf, hawthorn flower, frogs and toads croak, sycamore 

 leaf, birch leaf, elm leaf, mountain-ash leaf, oak leaf, beech leaf, horse-chesnut 

 leaf, chesnut leaf, hornbeam leaf, ash leaf, ringdoves coo, rooks build, young 

 rooks, swallows appear, cuckoo sings, nightingale sings, churn owl sings, yellow 

 butterfly appears, turnip in flower, lime leaf, maple leaf, wood anemone flower. 



XIV^. Account of a Monster of the human Species, in two Letters \ one from 

 Baron Reichel to Sir Jos. Banks, Bart., and the other from Mr. Jas* Ander 

 son to Baron Reichel. p. 157. 



To Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. ' Fort St. George, Feb. 28, 1788. 



Sir, — I have the pleasure to transmit to you the portrait of a Gentoo boy, an 

 astonishing living subject, who being sent to me by a friend of mine residing in 

 the environs of the native place of the boy, I made 2 drawings representing the 

 alternate attitudes in which he can place half the body of his little brother, who 

 adheres to his breast. Peruntaloo is a handsome well-made lad, possessing every 

 due faculty of mind and body, rather more sagacious, and with a superior share 

 of understanding, than young men in general of his age. In addition to the in- 

 closed anatomical description of the boy by Mr. Anderson, you will observe in the 

 drawings 2 circular dotted lines, about the lower part of the loins of the semi- 

 monster. During the several sittings I had of Peruntaloo, I observed an internal 

 motion about these parts rather more conspicuous than any other of the body ; 

 and on questioning the youth, he showed me, that by retaining his breath, he 

 could force a current of air into them, so as to swell the parts like 2 blown-up 

 bladders, with a rumbling noise at the time of action. Whether there is a con- 

 nection with the lungs of Peruntaloo is a question I cannot venture to determine; 

 Mr. Anderson however thinks it well worth my mentioning this observation. The 

 erection of the little penis in the semi-monster, and the command Peruntaloo 

 has of discharging the urine through it, are perfectly ascertained. 



I am, &c. T. Reichel. 



To Baron Reichel. Fort St. George, Feb. 25, 1788. 



Sir,— As you mean to send the elegant drawing of Peruntaloo to Sir Joseph 



VOL. XVI. 4 C 



