414 Rupogrophy, or a new mode [May, 



mises to these Wiyalvar if they would destroy the Curumbars. The 

 Wiyalvar, in consequence by the aid of the rayer's troops, and a thou- 

 sand men of their own, destroyed the Curumbars. The rayer gave 

 them great distinction for the same, and villages. They established 

 their goddesses in two villages ; and in one had also a Vuishnava fane. 

 They built a palace which afterwards was sold to discharge a debt. 



Remark. This account may be compared with another book and 

 section, making mention of the Wiyalvar ; and this tradition, if true, 

 adds to the proof that the earlier inhabitants of the Carnatic were de- 

 stroyed, to make way for colonies of Hindus. 



[To be continued.] 



II. — On the application of a new method of Block-printing, ivith 



examples of unedited coins printed in facsimile. By James 



Pkinsep, Sec. fyc. 



In all Muhammadan countries it is the well known custom of those 

 who move in the rank of gentlemen to apply their seals in lieu of their 

 written signatures to letters, bonds, and other written documents — not as 

 we are accustomed to do it by an impression on wax, but by smearing the 

 flat surface of the seal with ink and printing in the manner of type, so 

 as to leave on the paper a white cipher upon a black field. It may 

 be in consequence of this custoii), as much as from religious prejudice, 

 that Muhammadan seal* are almost invar] ably confined to letter mottos ; 

 seldom ornamented, but, if so, merely with flowers, &c. done in out- 

 line ; because such only can be faithfully pourtrayed in a type impres- 

 sion, which of course cannot at all represent a head or other relievo 

 design. 



The money of the Musalmans was in the same manner generally 

 impressed only with the signet or the titles of the sovereign, well adapt- 

 ed to a flat and thin surface of metal. 



Seeking an easy and expeditious mode of making public the collection of 

 Muhammadan coins in my own and my friends' cabinets, it thus occur- 

 red to me that by forming from them in sealing-wax or in type metal an 

 exact counterpart of the die which had struck these rupees, I should be 

 able to use it, in the native fashion, for producing ink impressions along 

 with the ordinary letter type ; while, as the coin itself would in every 

 case furnish the mould, every chance of error in copying would be 

 removed : and, though the elegance of a shaded engraving could not be 

 attained, still this would be more than compensated by the scrupulous 

 fidelity of the representation. 



