1838.] Description of the Siah-poshis. &J5 



In a late number of the Journal of the Asiatic Society, an extract of 

 a letter from Lieutenant Wellstead of the Indian Navy, described 

 the mountain in the Red Sea, which has also been mentioned by Gray 

 and Seetzen. There would appear to be some variation in the kind of 

 sound issued, but both are, I suppose, explained by one theory and that 

 given by Mr. James Prinsep, regarding Jabal Nakous, being merely 

 * a reduplication of impulse setting air in vibration in a focus of echo.' 

 At all events Reg-Buwan is another example of the phenomenon, and 

 the accompanying sketch of its locale may please those interested in 

 acoustics. 



Reg~Ruwan is seen from a great distance, and the situation of the 

 sand is so curious that it might almost be imagined the hill had been 

 cut in two, and that it had gushed forth as from a sand bag, though the 

 wind could have brought it together. Convulsions of nature however 

 are exceedingly common in this part of the world. Babee mentions 

 one to have occurred in his time and in this very plain, so " that, in some 

 places, the ground was elevated to the height of an elephant above its 

 old level, and in others as much depressed." A severe earthquake took 

 place in Cabill six years ago and shocks happen so frequently as twice 

 or thrice in a month. We had no less than three of these on the 14th 

 of December last, and many before and since, but they were all slight. 

 A passing shake, with a rumbling noise, is called " goozur" to distin- 

 guish it from " zilzillee" or earthquake, which the inhabitants denomi- 

 nate a motion that is tremulous. A Cashmerian lately asked me to 

 inform him what was the cause of the series of earthquakes that con- 

 tinued daily without intermission for six successive months in Cashmeer 

 about four or five years ago. If these reports be true, Cashmeer may 

 have been a lake as is generally supposed, or it may have been any 

 thing. The frequency of volcanic action in these countries is deserv- 

 ing of much attention. 



VI. — On the Siah-pdsh Kaffirs with specimens of their language and 



costume. By Captain Alex. Burnes*. 



The extreme interest which attaches to the history and condition of the 



Kaffirs, who occupy the mountainous regions of northern Afhagnistan, 



has excited much curiosity, which it is my endeavour to gratify, having 



* Captain Burnes in the letter to Mr. Secretary Macnaghten, forwarding this 

 interesting note, writes : — 



" I early determined either to attempt in person to enter Kaffiristan or to send 

 one of the gentlemen along with me, but the services of all being disposed of else- 



