.580 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Jun8, 



posal; it commences with the 15th July, and is brought up to the end of March, 

 1838. 



At Madras the circular were sent by Dr. Bannister to the proper quarters, and 

 Mr. Taylor the astronomer was consulted on the subject. It was also reprinted 

 in Dr. Cole's Journal. There was stated to be " a very serious difficulty in taking- 

 observations of the sort with precision in such a surf as that oft Madras without going 

 to considerable expense. Other points of the coast at the entrance of large rivers 

 might afford more facilities, and the master attendant, Capt. Dalrymple, would 

 take advantage of these should this be the case, for he felt a great interest in the 

 business." 



From Pondicherry, I received through M. Bedier, a scheme of operations plan- 

 ned by the marine superintendent of that port to obtain results that might be suited 

 to the rigid investigation of the tidal wave theory, but the expense of conducting 

 them on such a scale was so large that the Governor of Pondicherry fortunately made 

 a reference before sanctioning their commencement. In reply I expressed my opinion 

 that simpler and cheaper means would suffice to obtain the general facts of the time 

 of the ebb and flow, and of high and low water, even if it were impossible to mea- 

 sure the rise and fall with great accuracy. I have hitherto no further information 

 from this quarter. 



By Sir R. W. Horton, Governor of Ceylon the investigation was taken up vigo- 

 rously, and I have just received from the Honorable Mr. Anstruther Colonial 

 Secretary, the following returns : — 



Trincomalee registers kept by the master attendant for January, April, July, and 

 October, 1836, and from the 24th November to the 2nd December, 183i, the greatest 

 known tide at that place. 



At Jaffna, Putlam, and Colombo, attempts had hitherto failed, but the master at- 

 tendant Mr. J. Stewart at the latter place had constructed a reservoir in the new 

 wharf which he expected would give satisfactory results. This was realized in March, 

 April, May, 1838, for which a table is sent. 



From Galle, Mr. Twynam, master attendant, furnished a continuous register 

 from I6th October, 1837, to 15th April, 1838. 



At Manar, Mr. Webster reported his inability to make the requisite observations. 



From Bombay, Mr. Wathen, the chief secretary to Government replied on the 

 11th July : that he had, " done the needful with your circulars and will send some 

 up to Captain Henwell and "officers of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf, as 

 alsototheRed Sea. Sir Charles Malcolm had taken possession of some, in 

 order to carry the object into more complete effect. 



At the Mauritius, M. Jules Desjardins informed me that registers of the 

 tides had been regularly taken, and transmitted home direct to Professor Whewell. 



From Bourbon, M. Bedier kindly undertook to procure observations and I have 

 no doubt I shall receive them in due time. 



The year being not yet concluded it is too soon to expect returns from distant 

 stations, but I have little doubt that the object has been taken up zealously in many 

 places on the coast of India besides those 1 have mentioned, and that the results 

 will soon be flowing in. Meanwhile I propose printing the present letter from the 

 Honorable Court with its enclosures, and the form of register, and circulating them 

 to the same parties as were before addressed, adding China and Manilla (as we have 

 now a member at the latter place) to the list. It may be also desirable to obtain the 

 leave of Government to authorize each party undertaking the job at the principal 

 points to spend as far as some specific sum, say 100 rupees, in the preparation of 

 guages, &c. and the wages of an observer." 



Resolved, that the above report be communicated to Government, and 

 the further measures recommended for adoption. 



Geology. 



Specimens of coal from various sites near the Indus, discovered through 

 Captain Btjrnes' emissaries were deposited by the Secretary, together 

 with the report of the Coal Committee. 



Also, specimens of the rich mine of bituminous coal, lately discovered 

 by Dr. Helfer, in the Tenasserim province, and a copy of his report. 



And the copper pyrites of Kemaon sent down for examination by Captain 

 Drummond. 



An account of the geology of the vale of KohJ-Ddman, and the Hindu 

 Rush mountains by Dr. Lord attached to Captain Burnes' Mission, wafl 

 communicated by Government. 



[This interesting paper is printed in the present number.] 



