420 Asiatic Society. [No. 137. 



Jairi Soil from Kurnoul, infertile, very impervious to water, used for flat roofs of 

 native houses in Kurnoul as a protection against rains. 



I have not yet been able to examine this soil, but it is remarkably like one from 

 Cheduba brought by Captain Halsted, also quite infertile, and is probably like it, ren- 

 dered so by being almost a pulverulent Iron Ore, rather than a soil. 



Geological and Miner •alogical. — We have received from the University of Christiana, 

 in addition to several valuable works noticed in the Librarian's report, a small but valu- 

 able series of Fossils and Geological and Mineralogical Specimens, in all 50 in number, 

 which are on the table. Of these, the Fossil and Geological Specimens are entirely new 

 to our collection, but some few of the Mineralogical ones we already possessed. It is 

 to the exertions of Captain Bonnevie of Tirhoot, a member of that University, that the 

 Society is indebted for this very handsome donation, which it will be our duty to return 

 in the best manner we can, and by the earliest opportunity. Captain Bonnevie's letter 

 is as follows: — 



To the Secretary of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta. 



Sir, — It is about nine months since, at the suggestion of Mr. Blyth, I wrote to the 

 University of Christiana in Norway, proposing an interchange of natural productions 

 and scientific works between that body and the Asiatic Society. I have now the honor 

 to enclose a letter, with accompanying lists of articles sent by the University, and beg 

 to inform you, that the packages shall be forwarded to the Society immediately on their 

 arrival. 



I have been requested to inform the Society, that in the list of minerals, the"Acmite" 

 Crystal, No. 35, is now very scarce, as the spot where it is found is becoming exhausted, 

 and also, that the specimen of " Gadolinite" No. 44 is of great value. It is a very rare 

 production, and mostly found in small pieces mixed with other substances. 



The University would feel very gratified to receive in return any minerals or rare 

 fossils peculiar to Asia, and if procurable, Casts in Gypsum of the cranium of the Sivathe- 

 rium and other fossil animals of the like kind that have been discovered in this country. 



In the lists of books, you will observe a work styled " De Mutationibus Virgse Magne- 

 ticae," by Professor Hansteen. I have been requested by him to suggest to scientific 

 men in India, to make as many observations as possible on the dip and the variation of 

 the Needle. As the suggestion of a learned and influential body like the Asiatic So- 

 ciety will have weight, when those of a humble individual like myself would be deem- 

 ed presumptuous ; perhaps the Society will be kind enough to assist the Professor by 

 urging these observations on its numerous scientific members scattered over India. 



I have the honor to be, Sir, 

 Rungpore, Your most obedient servant, 



The \§th February, 1843. C. S. Bonnevie. 



Mr. Frith has kindly sent us a curious specimen of Wood reduced to brown Coal and 

 Lignite, which was taken from a well now digging at Dum-Dum by his father. 



H. Piddington, 

 Curator, Museum Economy Geology. 



For all the Presentations, the thanks of the Society were accorded. 



