1S83.] J. W. Parry — Memorandum on a couple of sf ones. 165 



and has been wholly adopted as their own. The plot of the story is simple 

 enough. The two points of interest in it are the magical powers exercised 

 by the hero and the introduction of animals talking. Mr. de Eoepstorff 

 has given the Nicobar text transliterated into English characters and as 

 literal a translation as possible, with some explanatory and critical notes. 

 This paper will be published in full in the Journal, Part I. 



3. The Town of BulandsTiahr.—By F. S. Growse, M. A., C. S., C. I. E. 

 This paper will be published in full in the Journal, Part I. 



4. Memorandmn on a couple of stones found in the Gumhum Tahoq of the 

 Kurnul District^ Madras. — B?/ J. W. Paerx, Assoc. Mem. Inst. C. JE. 



From June to August of the present year, a large Enquirer's Camp 

 was formed near the 75th mile of the Nandiol-Cumbum Road, at a place 

 called Digametta. The object was a survey for a Eailway through the 

 Nandicanameh pass of the Nala Malla Hills. Soon after joining the camp, 

 the author was shewn a couple of stones bearing inscriptions lying in the 

 camping ground. He was just in time to prevent the inscription of the 

 smaller stone from being totally obliterated, as one of the lascars had 

 utilized its flat surface for grinding his curry powder, and hence several 

 words could not be deciphered : these are shewn in asterisks. 



There is no village at the camping ground, but a temple once existed, 

 as there is a large bowH, some ruins, and a couple of pieces of sculpture. 



At page 98 of Mr. Sewell's " Madras Antiquarian Remains" under the 

 head " Krishnamsettipalle," it is stated, "Five miles west of the village 

 are 2 stones bearing inscriptions. Both are illegible." As Digametta is 

 about 5 miles west of Krishnamsettipalle, there can be no doubt that these 

 are the identical stones referred to. It is, however, due to Mr. Sewell to 

 state that at page 1, Vol. T, he commences by saying — 



" I am confident, in the case of very many of the inscriptions so 

 characterized [as illegible], a skilled epigraphist will find no difficulty in 

 deciphering them. 



The First Sto?te, 

 is nearly circular, having a diameter of 3 feet 2 inches. Thickness varies 

 from 5 in. to 8 in. It is of quartzite, and the letters are very distinct, about 

 1 inch in height and xV^h in depth. The masons who cut the inscriptions 

 must have had fine and hard stone chisels as we know that quartzite has a 

 tendency to fly irregularly. The surface of the stone is so uneven that it 

 is impossible to take off good copies of the inscriptions ; one copy, however, 

 was sent to Mr. Sewell who was asked to state the probable date. Mr. 

 Sewell replied that he regretted he was unable to give the subject any 

 attention as he was just about to proceed to England on leave. 



