ISO Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 2. 



collections, which must be of very considerable interest and impor- 

 tance. 



" The Society have therefore directed me to inquire whether the 

 Government have at present moved at all in this matter, and if they 

 have not done so, to express a hope that they will at once take such 

 steps as may be desirable to ascertain the circumstances attending 

 his death more accurately, and if possible to recover his papers and 

 property, thus showing that the Government of India does not re- 

 gard with indifference the fate of a gentleman employed in the pub- 

 lic service, who lost his life in the prosecution of scientific discovery 

 and research. 



" I have, &c, 

 " (Sd.) W, S. Atkinson, 



"Secy. Asiatic Society." 



2. — From Professor Miix. Muller, of Oxford, a paper on the origin 

 of writing in India, and the probable period at which it came into 

 use for literary purposes. 



3. — From Baboo Radhanauth Sikdar, Abstract of the results of the 

 hourly meteorological observations taken at the Surveyor General's 

 Office, in the month of November last. 



4. — From E. Blyth, Esq., a paper on the cartilaginous fishes of 

 Lower Bengal. 



5. — From the same, a paper containing remarks on the different 

 animals known as wild asses, 



6. — From the Secy, to Government, Public Works Department, a 

 paper by Capt. Henderson, on the nature and effects of the recent 

 flood of the Indus. 



This pnper was read by the Secretary, together with a note by Col. 

 E. Strachey, who differed from Capt. Henderson as to the probable 

 origin of the flood. Some discussion ensued, in which Capt. Yule, 

 Col. Baird Smith, Mr. Oldham, and others took part. 



The general impression was that the catastrophe which caused 

 the inundation must have occurred in the neighbourhood of Acho, 

 not far from the Gilgit valley, and not towards the head waters of 

 the Nubra or Shayook, as supposed by Capt. Henderson. 



Mr. Samuells read the following note upon the wooden guns taken 

 at the battle of Berhampore by Col. Dunsford in October, 1858, 

 and which he lately presented to the Society : — 



