1092 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Dec. 



south-east all take their rise. While traversing this tract in May of 

 last year, I found wherever there was any declivity so that moisture 

 could lodge, green grass of two or three feet in height ; and cattle 

 sent thither from the breeding purgunnahs hundreds of miles distant 

 in the month of March, return in June in the finest condition. The 

 tract in question is at present almost unpeopled ; but it appears to 

 possess the finest capabilities were they developed by the application 

 of capital and industry. The silicious clay, and iron clay soils, which 

 constitute the greater part of it are admirably calculated for irrigation, 

 (the former in particular,) yielding both rain and spring crops ; and 

 trees thrive in them with a vigour which can scarcely be surpassed. 

 The basaltic soil also yields very fine Rubbee crops for several succes- 

 sive crops : but owing to the avidity with which it absorbs moisture, 

 irrigation has not been applied to it. The appearance of the country 

 is highly interesting ; and well worthy, I conceive, of greater attention 

 than capitalists have hitherto paid it. 



The purgunnahs below the Ghat, however, are at present by far 

 the most highly cultivated, tanks having been formed in every vil- 

 lage for irrigation, and the population being dense and prosperous. 

 This is attributable no doubt originally to the predatory habits of the 

 Gonds inhabiting the higher tracts, who in former times effectually 

 prevented the progress of civilization and industry, and latterly 

 other causes may likewise have been in operation, tending to the 

 same result. At present the principal products of those portions 

 inhabited by Gonds are tussur, lac, wax, honey, catechu, dammer and 

 other produce of the sal, teak, and other forests which abound ; 

 though in parts here and there the cultivation carried on by them is 

 by no means inconsiderable. 



[The minerals are deposited in the museum, numbered to refer to the accom- 

 panying plate. — Ed.] 



IX. — Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 

 Anniversary Meeting, Wednesday Evening the 3rd January, 1838. 

 H. T. Prinsep, Esq. Vice-President, in the chair. 

 J. H Batten, Esq. C. S. Baboo Conoy Lall Tagore and Charles 

 Elliot Barwell, Esq. were elected members. 



Major W. H. Sleeman, was proposed by the Secretary, and seconded by 

 Mr. D. McLeod. 



J. W. Grant, Esq. proposed by Dr. McClelland, seconded by the 

 Secretary. 



Mr. G. A. Prinsep, proposed by Mr. Cracroft, seconded by Captain 

 Forbes. 



Assistant Surgeon J. Arnott, M. D. proposed by J. Hill, Esq. second, 

 ed by the Secretary. 



