68 Papers. [August, 1902.] 



narrative is carried up to the begmninpj of the reigu of Mahammad 

 Shah. 



2. On Dioscorea hirmanica — a new species from Burma, and two 

 allied species. — By Major D. Prain, I.M.S., and I. H. Burkill. 



(Abstract.) 



A coramou wild yam of Burma is described under the name of 

 Dioscorea birmanica. An ally from South-West China is described 

 under the name of D. yunnanensis, and reference is made to a plant of 

 Perak which also seems to be allied. 



3. Busot : An ancient Eastern Medicine. — By David Hooper. 



(Abstract.) 



Rusot, identified with the Ljkion of the ancient Greeks, is an ex- 

 tract of the wood of several species of Berberis. Several examples 

 preserved in the Indian Museum have been chemically examined, and 

 are found variable in the amount of berberine and other matter which 

 they contain. 



4. Notes on the Khasis, Syntengs and allied Tribes inhabiting the 

 Khasi and Jaintia Hills District in Assam. — By Major P. R. T. Gordon, 

 I.A. 



(Abstract.) 



The general appearance and mode of life of these tribes is described. 

 They are matriarchal, the youngest daughter inheriting from the 

 mother, or failing daughters, the youngest niece, or again failing 

 daughters and nieces, the youngest female cousin. They propitiate the 

 spirits of departed ancestors by sacrifice, and worship them by me- 

 morial stones. The Khasis are divided into clans named after 

 natural objects (totems apparently not now worshipped). They marry 

 in strict exogamy, the husband remaining of little account : he visits 

 his wife for many years in her mother's house ; he never becomes ad- 

 mitted into his wife's clan ; divorce is easy, and the women enjoy con- 

 siderable freedom in their sexual relations. It is remarkable that the 

 sex of the Supreme Being is not definite in the ideas of these people, 

 and that with their matriarchy in their worship, they call on spirits of 

 both sexes, viz.^ the primeval ancestress of the family, the maternal 

 great-uncle, and the great-grandfather. The birth, marriage, divorce, 

 death and other ceremonies are described, and an account of the me- 

 morial stones given. 



