xcii Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Nov. 1846. 



distributed to intelligent individuals for the purpose of gaining additions 

 to the stock. 



Resolved, that the object is highly approved of and recommended 

 for encouragement. 



[Dr. Roer having left Calcutta for Moulmein immediately after the 

 meeting of the Sub-Committee, the publication of the requisite extracts 

 from letters referred to above is unavoidably suspended till Dr. Roer's 

 return in December. — W. B. O'S.] 



General Correspondence > 



Read the following letters from Major Williams, descriptive of the 

 recent volcanic eruption at Kyouk Phyoo. 



Kyouk Phyoo, 26th October, 1846. 



My dear Sir, — About quarter to 9 o'clock last night, we had an eruption of one 

 of our Volcanoes near the village of Chein Kroong, about three or four miles from this 

 station, on the island of Ramree — it burst out suddenly with a slight noise, emitting 

 a brilliant flume, which instantly went out, and again burst forth ; this happened for 

 fifteen or twenty times, when the flame burnt steadily, gradually diminishing, and 

 disappeared altogether about daybreak, or a little before it, this morning ; it rained 

 heavily all the time. 



The whole sky was illuminated brilliantly, and again suddenly every thing was im- 

 mersed in darkness during the flashes and their sudden disappearance, which I can 

 only compare to the effect, on a small scale, of a handful of oil, or any combustible 

 matter being thrown into a fire. 



I have sent out ten coolies to collect stones, mud, &c. and hope to be able to 

 6end you some by the Steamer with this letter. 



Your's sincerely, 



D. Williams. 



The flushes were exactly similar to those we saw out at sea two years ago, only 

 that in this Volcanoe we saw the flame, there is therefore no doubt but that a Vol- 

 canoe burst out of the sea at the time I allude to, and which some attributed to 

 a vessel on fire. 



Oct. 28th. I send you specimens under the care of Ensign Anderson of the 25th. 



Kyouk Phyoo, 28th October, 1846. 

 My dear Sir, — I have had a more correct description of the Volcanoe to-day — 

 the size of the Crater is about six feet in diameter only; surrounded on all sides to 

 some extent with soft mud knee-deep, and the jhow or Cassuarino trees growing 

 around unhurt, in a regular manner as if planted there ; no other kind of trees near, 

 and of course all other vegetation covered with the mud thrown out. It is still burn- 



