1843.] Asiatic Society. 1017 



My dear Sir, — The Soogree of Flat Island has at last been able to come to the 

 Sudder station. He reports to me the sudden disappearance of the Island thrown 

 up by a volcano, a few days after its appearance. It was impossible to go to* it to 

 obtain any of its formation. This is much to be regretted, as I see by your letter of 

 the 7th instant, just received, that you attach importance to the subject of the 

 volcano. 



I am encouraged by your letter to submit specimens of cloth manufactured at this 

 place; it so resembles the Scotch " Shepherd's Plaid," that I have had pantaloons 

 made of it for wear. I should think it better adapted than the plaid, being not so 

 warm for this country, yet warmer than jean or drill. 



Dr. Andrews has sent specimens of this cloth for the inspection of Messrs. Ranken 

 and Co. the tailors. It is made of double thread, and would be of a finer texture and 

 stronger, if we had fresh English thread to make it with. 



I also enclose for inspection a petrification of the Bela flower, (country Jessamine, 

 or " Jasmimum Sambac,) that the natives find here, though very seldom. The petrifica- 

 tion occurs on the shrub. I had a much finer specimen that was stolen from me a few 

 days ago ; the natives set them in gold rings ; this is evidently the bud of the flower, and 

 is petrified when in the calix. Yours faithfully, 



Ramree, Arracan, 2bth September, 1843. D.Williams. 



P. S. — I forwarded to you by Lieut. Phayre, who has left us for Calcutta, the lumps 

 of iron that were found with the gold coins on Chedooba. 



It was resolved, that as the Survey by the Ganges Steamer would not afford time 

 for the researches contemplated by the Society, the Curator of the Geological and 

 Mineralogical Department be requested to draw up such instructions, as may enable 

 Captain Russell and his officers to collect usefully what information they can in the 

 progress of their duties. 



The Secretary presented specimens of the Type for the Tarik-i-Nadiree, of which 

 work he stated he had so far advanced the labour of collation, that the printing of it 

 might now commence. 



Read the following Letter from Secretary to the Government of India : — 



No. 40, of 1843. 



From J. Thomason, Esq. Secretary to the Government of India, to the Secretary to 



the Asiatic Society, dated Fort William, the SOtk September, 1843. 

 Foreign Dept. Secret. 



Sir, — At the desire of the Governor General in Council, I have the honor to trans- 

 mit to you for the use of the Asiatic Society, and for such notice in the Journal of its 

 proceedings as may be considered necessary, the accompanying copy of Notes of a 

 Tour taken through parts of Beloochistan in 1838-39, by Hajee Abdool Nabee, trans- 

 lated and arranged by Major Robert Leech, C. B. Bombay Engineers. 

 I have the honor to be, Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 

 Fort William, the 30th Sept, 1843. J. Thomason, 



Secy, to the Govt, of India. 



