184 Ilolmboc — Traces of Buddhism in JSforioay. [Nov. 



3. — On a Picnic in Ancient India — By Ba'btj Ea'j endeala'la Mitea. 



This paper has been referred to the Committee for orders to publish it 

 in the Journal. 



The reading of the following papers was postponed. 



1. Bemarhs on Winds, Ti/plioons Sfc. on tlie South Coast of Japan 

 — By Commander H. C. St. John. H. M. S. Sylvia. 



2. litotes on some new species of BhinolophidcG — By G. E. Dobson, 

 Esq. M. B. 



3. Ornithological Notes — By W. E. Brooks, Esq. (7. ^. 



"Extract from a Memoir ly Professor Holmhoe entitled " Flaghoagen par 



Bavimoir og ne hiMhisticTc Topes i Asien.^^ — On the ttmiulus called 



Flaghoug or the mount of Parihlond on the isle of Baven, and on the 



topes of Asia. By Professor Ilolmhoe of Christ iania. 



Among the traces to be seen on the tumuli of Pagan Norway of 



Oriental origin, are the cylindrical forms of the bases of some of them. As 



the topes of Asia are ordinarily conical masses, resting on cylindrical bases, 



so are there a number of tumuli in Norway having similar bases, and among 



these, there are some wdiose bases resemble exactly those of some of the topes 



of India and Afghanistan. Thus the basement of Flaghoug on the Isle 



of Eaven, near the south-west coast of Norway, is compared to the tope of 



Mankiyala, and to two topes of Afghanistan. 



The author is of opinion that the compartments in the form of niches, 

 which are to be seen on these bases, contained formerly idols such as the 

 images of Buddha to be seen in Indian topes. In support of this opinion, 

 he cites from Colonel Yule's travels, some topes in Ava, on which are to 

 this day found images of Buddha placed in niches around the base of the 

 monuments. 



In Norway, where the art of sculpture was very little advanced during 

 the Pagan times, one may suppose the images of Linga had been placed in 

 the niches ; for the author in his Momoire on the traces of Sivaism, some 

 years ago, demonstrated that the worship of the Linga had spread to Norway 

 as to other parts of Europe. 



JExtract from a Memoir hy M. Ilolmhoe entitled " Om Norem i Nor sice 

 Oravhoie.''^ — On the hark in the tumuli of Norway. 

 It is a w^ell-known quality of the birch bark, that it resists decay 

 for centuries ; hence it is that it has been made use of in the cells of many 

 sepulchral mounds, as an envelope for more precious things. The same bark , 



