1832.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 473 



A geological notice was submitted, explanatory of a series of specimens 

 collected between the plains of Assam and Chira Punji, in the Kasya 

 Mountains, and presented to the Society by W. Cracroft, Esq. through the 

 President. 



Two boxes, containing 415 specimens of different kinds of wood, from In- 

 dia, Assam, Ava, Arracan, the Cape of Good Hope, Australia, and Pitcairn's 

 Island, with a catalogue describing their native and Botanical names, was pre- 

 sented by Captain Baker, Superintendent of Iron Suspension Bridges. 



Captain Baker has just completed an elaborate series of experiments on the 

 strength and elasticity of these woods, of which a partial account was printed in 

 the Gleanings. The paper will appear in the Researches. 



A model of Theodore Jones and Co.'s new Patent Suspension Wheek?, 

 witb a full description of their various advantages, was presented by Lieut. 

 Col. Watson. 



Of this invention, we shall give a particular account in our next. 



Papers read. 



1. Note on the Saline Deposits near Cawnpur. By Mr. H. H. Spry. 

 This paper will appear in our next. 



2. On the Ice Manufactory at Hugli. By Dr. Wise. 



3. Report on the present state of the Boring in Fort William. By Dr, Strong. 

 The holidays had for a period suspended proceedings, and the overseer was 



employed in making up a claw and spring tool for the extraction of the rods, which 

 had again unfortunately broken in the second shaft, at a depth of 130 feet. This 

 accident had frequently occurred from the falling in of the sand, notwithstanding 

 the protection afforded by the tubing of the present shaft. It would, probably, be 

 necessary to withdraw the tubes to get hold of the rod ; in which case, Dr. Strong 

 proposed to replace them carefully, and proceed with the perforation : but, for 

 this a further supply of cash would be requisite ; the last grant of 500 being 

 expended, and money being still due to the workmen. 



A motion by Dr. Strong, seconded by Mr. D. Ross, that 500 rupees should 

 be granted unconditionally for the continuation of the experiment, was nega- 

 tived : an amendment was proposed by Mr. Wilson, and carried, " that the 

 Committee recommend to the Society to make a further grant of 500 

 rupees to the gentlemen in charge of the Boring experiment, on the express 

 condition, that it shall be the last, unless they shall be then able to shew con- 

 vincing proof, that its further prosecution will be attended with success." 



4. Report of the Sub-Committee, on the subject of the proposed extension 

 of the Museum. 



The report pointed out the difficulty of furnishing suitable accommodation for 

 a resident curator on the premises, and proposed instead, that a small house in 

 the immediate neighbourhood should be hired, in which all the preparations of 

 the specimens could be made, leaving the whole of the lower floor of the Society's 

 premises open for their reception. The expence of this arrangement, including the 

 contingents of making and altering cabinets, stuffing, &c. was estimated at 200 

 rupees per mensem. After some discussion, the report was referred back to the 

 Sub-Committee, to inquire what means exist to meet such an expenditure, before 

 going before the Society with the proposition. 



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