1856.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 371 



Mons. H. Schlagintweit, Mons. A. Schlagintweifc, Dr. Wilson of 

 Bombay and J. Taylor, Esq., of Bussorah. 



The following gentlemen were named for ballot at the next 

 meeting : — 



A. Roberts, Esq., C. S, and 



Major W. C. Erskine, proposed by Mr. J. G. Meddlecott and 

 seconded by Mr. T. Oldham. 



Raja Suttoshurn Ghosal Bahadoor, proposed by Babu Ramgopaul 

 Ghose and seconded by Dr. Spilsbury. 



Communications were received — 



1. — Erom the Governor General in Council, through G. F. 

 Edmonstone, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, a narrative 

 of the Travels in Central Asia of Syud Khwajah Ahmud who was 

 despatched by the late Colonel Mackeson in October, 1852, in 

 search of Lieutenant Wyburd. 



Dr. Thompson read portions of the narrative, and remarked that 

 this paper having been made over to him for report, he had much 

 pleasure in directing attention to the many points of interest which 

 it presented. The traveller had passed through those unknown 

 districts of Central Asia to which the eyes of Geographers are turned 

 with great interest, but from which Europeans are excluded by the 

 jealous policy of the Chinese. Leaving Le in the winter of 1852-3 

 he proceeded to Tarkund, sent one of his party to Khoten and Aksoo, 

 and proceeded himself to Kashgur and thence to Kokan, Samarkund 

 and Bokhara, from which place he returned via Cabul to Peshawur 

 without having obtained other than negative information regarding 

 the object of his mission. 



He gives many interesting details regarding Khoten, Aksoo, 

 Yarkund and Kashgur, the general aspect of the country and the 

 population and the nature of the authority exercised by the Chinese. 



Dr. Thompson further remarked that the publication of the present 

 report would doubtless direct the attention of Geographers to this 

 interesting journey, so as to obtain from the traveller information 

 regarding many points of great geographical interest whicli are not 

 alluded to in it, but with which he must be well acquainted. 



2. — Erom Babu Radha Nath Sikdar, forwarding copy of a Meteor- 



