1G2 R. C. Temple— D^Z^i Daldls. [Dec, 



maintains that be only crossed it at Chetang, and that to the west of his 

 route between Sama and Alonto there is a great range of bills forming the 

 water-parting between the affluents of the Sanpo river and those of the 

 well-known system of parallel Tibetan rivers which he crossed between 

 Batang and Sama. He knows the Sanpo river well and has crossed it 

 frequently and in various places, and he is satisfied that none of the affluents 

 of the system of parallel rivers which he crossed can possibly be the Sanpo. 



A full account of his explorations will be published, with maps in illus- 

 tration, as soon as possible, probably within six months. Meanwhile, 

 however, this statement of general outlines will suffice to show that the 

 explorer has worked with great pluck and perseverance, never allowing 

 himself to be turned back by misfortune and disaster until he had succeeded 

 in accomplishing a highly creditable amount of work, and meanwhile taking 

 service with Mongolians, Lamas and Chinese Tartars, with a view to earn a 

 livelihood for himself and his companion while carrying out their explo- 

 rations. 



The following papers were read — 



1. The Delhi Daldls and their Slang. — By Lieut. R. C. Temple, 

 B. S. C, F. R. G. S., M. R. A. S. 



(Abstract.) 

 In this paper the author has endeavoured to elucidate the deriva- 

 tion of some of the slang words used by the well-known Delhi daliils 

 and to show how far their words affect the dialects in use among 

 Northern Indian traders. He gives an account of the dalals and their 

 way of making a living, which is not by brokerage, but by what they 

 can make out of the customer through the trader, and what the customer 

 pays them for their trouble. The author mentions the different ways in 

 which the dalal comes to a secret understanding with the trader as to 

 the amount of commission he is to receive, and gives a list of slang words 

 used by him with their meanings. 



2. The Rupees of the months of the Ilahi years of Akhar. — By C. J. 



RODGEES. 



(Abstract.) 

 The Persian year was instituted by Yezdegird III, eight days after 

 the death of Muhammad. The year was divided into 3G5 days. There 

 were twelve months, each of which had 30 days except the twelfth 

 which had 35 days. The fractions of the days in 120 years made another 

 month, so that every 120 years there were 13 months in the year. On the 

 first such occurrence, the first month was duplicated : on the second, the 

 second month, and so on. Malik Shah, Sultan of Khorasan, improved 

 somewhat on this system. Making his year commence with the entrance 

 of the Sun into Aries, he ordered that the year should receive an 



