1872.] Capt. Fryer's Burmese Celts. 4i7 



smooth, and comprised (a) adzes with shoulders, and (h) adzes without 

 shoulders, each with a cutting edge like a chisel, (c) axes with the cutting edge 

 like an axe, (d) a spear-head, and (e) a curious quoit-like disc of stone, the 

 probable use of which was not apparent. 



With respect to the adzes with shoulders, Captain Fryer stated that 

 their analogue in iron existed in Bui-ma, and was called ' Kyek toung.' It 

 was used by carpenters for cutting and sharpening boats. 



The attention of the members was particularly directed to the large 

 adze with shoulders found near Yangay village, Tavoy District, in length one 

 foot, breadth 3^ inches, and one inch thick, weighing 31bs. 7oz., also to 

 the fine axe from Beloogyoon, Amherst District, 6 in. long, 3f in. broad, and 

 1^ in. thick, weighing lib. 5oz. 



As for the quoit-like stone, members were invited to contribute infor- 

 mation as to the probable purpose for which it was originally designed. 



Dr. J. Anderson said he had not met with the shouldered but with the 

 wedge-shaped type of celts in Western Yunan. They were generally small, 

 and a large percentage were of jade. All the specimens he procured, were 

 purchased from the natives, who highly prized them, usually carrying them 

 in a small bag attached to a button-hole of the jacket. Some were also 

 offered for sale in the bazars ; and it was to this circumstance that his 

 attention had first been drawn to their existence at Momien and other 

 localities in W. Yunan. They fetch high prices, as they are considered of 

 medicinal value ; and small fragments chipped off were sold at fabulous 

 prices. 



Dr. Anderson also mentioned that the same belief regarding celts pre- 

 vailed in Yunan as in Burmah, that they are thunderbolts which, after their 

 fall, were bm'ied in the earth, and after many years had made their way to 

 the surface again. 



Mr. Blochmann exhibited several Persian inscriptions from Mr. 

 Wilson, C. S., Badaon. He said : — 



Some time ago, Mr. Wilson, C. S., Badaon, sent to the Society three 

 Persian inscriptions, rubbings of two of which I now exhibit. Of the third, 

 Mr. Wilson sent a copy. The rubbings are most extraordinary ; the char- 

 acters, especially of the second, are a perfect puzzle, and so difficult, that I 

 have not succeeded in deciphering every word. The inscriptions are of in- 

 terest, as belonging to the years 798, 877, 883, A. H., or A. D. 1395, 1472, 

 1478, a period for which Muhammadan Historians give but little informa- 

 tion. 



The first, of which Mr. Wilson has sent a rubbing, was found at Badaon ; 

 the large stone, however, which contains the inscription, is not attached to 

 any building. The reading is as follows : — 



