1847.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 383 



During the phenomenon the Barometer was depressed -,-% of an inch, and a 

 thick black cloud hung- over the vessel, which circumstances will I think indicate 

 the presence of a large body of electricity in the atmosphere. I should likewise men- 

 tion that the wind, which for two days had been very light, indeed at times almost 

 calm, three quarters of an hour before the first appearance, shifted from N. N. E. 

 into N. W. from which quarter it blew a steady breeze till morning, when it died 

 away into a light air. 



On the afternoon of the same day several persons had perceived and actually talk- 

 ed about a dry kind of sulphureous smell in the atmosphere, wondering from whence 

 it could proceed; was it not possible then that as the appearance was very much that 

 of a gaseous vapour rising through the water, it might have been the effect of some 

 submarine Volcano, the foaming appearance being caused by the fumes of sulphur 

 rising through the water ? 



I had a bucket full of the water drawn up, some of which I put in a tumbler and 

 tasted. It had a very bright sparkling appearance as of the purest spring water, 

 but I could not discern any difference in its taste from common sea water. 



In looking over Horsburgh's work I perceive that vessels have occasionally fallen 

 in with a similar appearance, though if I could judge from his account, on a smaller 

 scale. Surely it must have been something of this sort which vessels have mistaken 

 fur shoal water even when they could obtain no soundings. Hence the Telemachus 

 Shoal and many others whose existence appears very doubtful. 



Knowing the interest the Marine Board take in circumstances of this kind, I trust 

 the extraordinary and interesting nature of this phenomenon may be sufficient apo- 

 logy for the liberty one, who is about to enter another profession of a very different 

 nature, now takes in addre-sing you. 



I remain, &c, 

 (Signed) Geo. F Pearson, 



Cadet of Infantry, 

 Pa! aver am, May 27 th, 1846. Madras Presidency. 



Major D. Williams of Kyouk Phyoo has sent to us a small box of 

 the minerals and earths ejected by the recent eruption of the Mud 

 Volcano near the station. Upon examination I find them to consist 

 exactly of the same kind as before. {Proceedings of October 1 843), 

 namely, grey indurated mud and shale, with black shaley masses, carbo- 

 nate of lime fibrous and semi-crystallised, and Iron Pyrites. 



Our active contributor Dr. Spilsbury, sends us from Bundlecund 

 12 Specimens Trap Rocks of various kinds. 



J Of the Copper ore from Sahghur reported on before. 

 20 Specimens of fossils of various kinds. 

 5 Specimens of the fine coal from Lametcr Ghat. 



3 K 



