1851.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 287 



Mr. Blytli, Curator in the Zoological Department, read a report on 

 the Mammalia and more remarkable species of Birds inhabiting Ceylon. 



The Council submitted a report on the publication of the Bibliotheca 

 Indica. 



Ordered — That the report be brought forward for consideration at 

 the next monthly meeting. 



Two specimens of carved stone lattices from Bundie, specimens of 

 rock crystals, of sandstone with impressions of ferns, of iron ores, a 

 hone, and a Mahratta MS. purporting to be a History of Bundie, 

 were presented by Rev. J. Long, in the name of Captain E. C. 

 Burton, Harrowtee. 



Ordered — That the Secretary be directed to communicate with the 

 Secretary of the Bombay Vernacular Translation Society, as to the 

 value of the MS. presented by Captain Burton. 



Bead the subjoined extract from a letter from T. B. Mactier, Assist- 

 ant Magistrate, West Burdwan. 



" It may not be uninteresting to some of the members of the Society to mention 

 that while conversing with the natives concerning their idea of the origin of such 

 stones (the Aerolites), one mentioned, that many years ago he had seen in the middle 

 of the jungle some 100 cosses to the S. W. of this, the remains of what he called 

 an enchanted City, the inhabitants of which had all been turned into stone. He 

 described one street as a bazar in which tradesmen such as chutars, moiras, &c. 

 were to be seen in the act of carrying on their various trades, other persons had 

 heard of the existence of such a place, but none could give me exact information 

 f its whereabouts. As my informants could have had no motive in telling me a 

 complete falsehood, I am inclined to think there may be a grain of wheat in this 

 bushel. of chaff, and I am now trying to obtain more perfect information as this 

 may refer to some interesting remains of by -gone ages. I will let you know 

 hereafter of the result, but in the meantime it might perhaps be as well to ascertain 

 whether there is any mention made of the ruins of this description among the 

 transactions of the Society."* 



Dr. Boer submitted an extract from a letter received by him from 

 Mr. F. M. Diimmler, Berlin, announcing the despatch of 20 copies of 

 Dr. Weber's edition of the Yajur Veda subscribed for by the Society, 

 as also, of certain Oriental works published by him for exchange. 



Ordered — That the amount of the Society's subscription for Dr. 

 Weber's Yajur Veda be remitted to Mr. Diimmler, and the letter be 

 referred to the Council for report at the next meeting. 



From Dr. Von Martius, Secretary to the Physical and Natural 

 History Section of the Royal Bavarian Academy, requesting a set 



* Vide ante p. 283. Ed. 



