90 Differences of Meridian at Madras, fyc. [No. 97. 



The instrument is mounted on a brass tripod, which may be 

 commodiously placed on a wall, or other situation, when the 

 usual wooden stand (which it also has) cannot be used. 



This theodolite being so portable and strong, would be found 

 most useful to the military surveyor or scientific traveller. 



Mr. Simms speedily completed an extensive order for these 

 instruments ; they were sent to the India House, and I sup- 

 pose to India. 



Those officers who have the requisite opportunities and in- 

 struments, may also avail themselves of some other modes of 

 determining differences. of meridians. 



These modes (which are noticed in the account of the survey 

 of the Himalya Mountains, in the 14th vol. of the Asiatic Re- 

 searches, page 189) consist in chronometrical observations, the 

 sudden ignition of gunpowder at distant stations, and the 

 observation of the horizontal angles subtended by any two or 

 three of the well defined snowy peaks, the positions of which in 

 latitude and longitude have been determined by the survey ; 

 these peaks, it is well known, are visible as well in the moun- 

 tains as in the plains, at very great distances. 



J. A. H. 



Teetaghur, May, 1840. 



Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, 



Wednesday Evening, 1st April, 1840. 



The Hon'ble H. T. Prinsep, Esq. Vice-President, in the chair. 



The Proceedings of the last Meeting were read. 



The Rev. Professor Street and Rajah Kishtonatha Ray a, proposed at the last 



Meeting, were balloted for, and duly elected members of the Society. 



Library. 



Read a letter from T. H. Maddock, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, 



forwarding for inspection the following works — 



Illustrations of Indian Botany, No. 13. 



Figures of Indian plants, No. 13 and 14. By Dr. Wight. 



Read a letter from Col. J. Stuart, Secretary to the Government of India, Military 



Department, forwarding copy of a work containing the result of Astronomical 



observations at the Observatory of the Madras Presidency, during the years 1838 



and 1839. 



Literary and Antiquities. 



Read a letter from H. Torrens, Esq. late Officiating Secretary to the Govern- 

 ment of India, General Department, transmitting three books, being a Political and 





