1833.] On the Greek Coins in the Cabinet of the Asiatic Society. 27 
To produce the article called by the natives kalmee (crystallized in 
long prisms, meaning the best kind of saltpetre), the dhoah is 
re-dissolved and crystallized; the percentage of nitre will then amount 
from 85 to 95, pure; but this is only done by the opulent native 
merchants who supply the Calcutta bazar. 
In conclusion, I have only to observe, that the above methods of 
manufacturing saltpetre, used by the natives of this country, although 
rude, yet are very simple, and more effective than most of our 
scientific chemists, at first sight, would suppose. No manufacture in 
Europe can equal it in point of cheapness and simplicity; and when it is 
considered, that these simple people have no knowledge whatever of 
chemistry as a science, it is surprising how well they manage to make 
the rough article. At least, such were the ideas that struck me during 
the many hours (and I may add pleasant ones) that I have spent in 
observing the simple, but not altogether ineffective, plans and operations 
of this industrious manufacturing people. 
The above notices claim no merit, except that of truth. They are 
the result of observations and notes taken on the spot, during a resi- 
dence of two years in the district of Tirhit; province of Behar. 
Tirhit, 7th December, 1832. 
IV.—On the Greek Coins in the Cabinet of the Asiatic Society. 
By James Prinsep, Secretary. 
Having in the first volume of the Journau described the Roman 
Coins of the Society’s Cabinet, with such explanations as might, I 
hoped, be of use to those who were untutored in the mysteries of nu- 
mismatology, so that, by the aid of the drawings, they might be able 
to recognize the type of Roman fabrication in any antique specimens 
which they were likely to discover on the continent of India, I now pro- 
pose to follow up the subject, as promised in my former paper, 
by extending my examination of the Society’s Cabinet, through their 
series of Greek and Persian coins, (leaving the Indian Coins for a fu- 
ture occasion ;) and I believe that although the specimens of the two 
first are far from being numerous in our collection, still the drawings 
of them will be found sufficient to furnish tolerable guides for the 
assistance of the student in discriminating the coins of these countries 
at different periods of their history. 
I cannot say how many out of the whole have been found in India 
itself; many on the contrary appear to have been brought from Persia. 
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