1888.] Mr. T. D. La Louche & Mr. ELson— O/i tlie Bariml Guns. Ill 



mysterious phenomenon it is impossible to form any decided opinion 

 as to its cause, though from the evidence it would appear that the 

 balance of probability favours the connection of the sounds in some 

 way with the sea ; the sodden state of the soil, the vapour-laden 

 state of the atmosphere and the direction of the wind being exception- 

 ally favourable for the transmission of such sounds, which seem to 

 be heard most frequently at times of the year when the sea is at its 

 highest and the contending influences of the river floods against wind 

 and tides strongest. At the same time, some of the evidence seems 

 to decidedly negative this theory, and it is quite possible that more 

 causes than one may be active in producing similar sounds. The more 

 or less intimate connection of the sounds with the river system of the 

 Delta also seems to be established, but whence the sounds proceed there 

 is nothing to show. 



As will be seen from the foregoing remarks, the question opens up 

 a very wide and interesting field of enquiry, and it would be very 

 desirable that, if possible, further evidence should be obtained on the 

 subject and a system of observations started on both sides of the head 

 of the Bay, from Balasore to Diamond Island, and at as many inland 

 stations as possible in the districts where the sounds are heard. 

 Copies of the former series of queries referred to by Babu Gaurdas 

 Bysack and Mr. Rainey are in existence, and would form a model 

 upon which a new series of enquiries might be drawn up. I would 

 propose, therefore, that the Council should be asked to refer the question 

 to the Physical Science Committee with a view to arrangements 

 being made, in consultation with the officers of the Meteorological 

 Department, for a series of observations being carried out during the 

 coming monsoon. The numerous meteorological stations now existing 

 in this part of the country would afford much greater facilities for such 

 observations than was formerly the case.* The assistance of the Marine 

 authorities should also be sought in making observations of the state 

 of the sea on the sea-face of the Sundarbans and in the neighbourhood 

 of the ' Swash of no- Ground.' 



Me. T. D. La Touche made the following remarks : — 

 I have frequently heard the sounds known as the Barisal guns while 

 camping in the south-western portion of the Garo Hills, in Assam. The 



* Since the meeting some papers liave been discovered containing the replies 

 to the circular issued by the Physical Science Committee in 1871, from Sir W» 

 Herschel, Mr. Westland, Capt. W. J. Stewart, Mr, Rainey and Mr. Sarr. These 

 add considerably to our knowledge of the subject, especially Capt. Stewart's obser- 

 vations in the Sundarbans, and I have therefore thought it desirable to entirely 

 revise this memorandum and complete it as a note of the facts hitherto recorded on 

 the subject. — J. W. 



