1838.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 367 



Dr. A. Burn, presented facsimile of a fourth copper-plate grant found 

 at Kaira in Gujerat, which in all but the names proves to be the duplicate 

 of one formerly submitted. 



Lieut. Postans addressed to the Society, some further extracts from the 

 Tohfat ul kiram and the Chach Nameh, bearing on the history of Sinde. 

 [Printed in the present number.] 

 Physical. 



The Rev. J. McQueen, presented on the part of Dr. Dunbar, Ram. 

 gurh battalion, a second series of geological specimens collected in the 

 Cole country. He begged they might with the former collection be re- 

 served at the owner's disposal after examination. 



Dr. R. Harlan, transmitted from the Philadelphian Museum, casts 

 made by himself of the remains of the Basilosaurus of Alabama, a fossil 

 animal described and depicted in his " Medical and Physical Researches." 



The fragments comprise the jaw, a humerus, a vertebra and some other 

 bones. 



Dr. G. G. Spilsbury, presented a large mass of indurated clay, contain- 

 ing fossil shells, with a note on the various sites in which the same species 

 have been discovered, with drawings by Lieut. P. A. Reynolds. 



Also, a specimen of Nerbudda coal from Major Ouseley. 



Notice of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, by Dr. 

 Harlan — presented through E. Ryan, Esq. 



Lieutenant Hutton, forwarded specimens of the lichens of the Him&!aya,~ 

 with solutions in ammoniacal liquid for comparison with those received 

 from the Royal Asiatic Society. Tiie following note accompanied them. 



Meerut, 23rd February, 1838. 



The accompanying specimens of dyes from Hill lichens, I had lately the honor to 

 submit for inspection to the Governor General, and I am requested by his Lord- 

 ship to forward them for examination in Calcutta. In order to afford you all the 

 information I can, regarding them, I have taken the liberty of repeating the sub- 

 stance of my communication to his Lordship, during his recent visit to Meerut. 



" During my rambles in the neighbourhood of Simla, and especially in a hurried 

 trip to the Burenda Pass, I noted an immense variety of these plants, both on 

 rocks and trees, but not knowing at that time that information regarding them was 

 required, I neglected to secure specimens of the greater number. 



" Some few, however, which attracted notice from the beauty of their forms, I 

 collected, and having since subjected them to the usual test of diluted liquor am- 

 monia?, 1 find that out of eight plants, six yield coloring matter." These 

 species might be procured in any quantities from the forests of the interior and from 

 the rocks at the Burenda Pass. In collecting the plants much care and attention 

 would be necessary, in order to" ascertain at what stage of their growth, or at 

 what season of the year, they produce the greatest quantity of coloriug matter," by 

 which knowledge all unnecessary waste of the plants would be avoided, and also a 

 better article furnished to commerce. 



" It is probable that the higher and more arid tracts of country in Kunawer and 

 Spiti, beyond the influence of the periodical rains, may produce some valuable 

 lichens as, I believe it to be a fact, that the drier the climate, the more rich and 

 valuable are the dyes." 



You will find that the plants have been left in the solution ; this is because of 

 some of them I have no more left, to show the species. 



The vial No. 1, contains a species which is very abundant, and appears to yield a 

 large quantity of color. (This orchilla seems equal to the canary specimen.) 



No. 2. Is I think the same plant in a different stage of growth. Both are 

 abundant on trees. 



No. 3. Is from the Burenda Pass, where it is very abundant on rocks near 

 the snow. 



No. 4- From forests of the interior ; found both on rocks and trees. 



No. 5. Is very abundant in the forest of Muhassu, one march from Simla. 



No. 6. From Simla to the Burenda Pass on trees. 



The other two plants which I submitted to the same test, did not even discolor 

 the solution in the least. 

 3 A 



