456 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 5. 



the privilege, as first discoverer, of proposing a name for this the 

 loftiest peak on the surface of the globe. 



The name proposed by him was " Mont Everest." 



Now it was the opinion of many gentlemen, in which the Council 

 fully concurred, that it was very desirable, in accordance with the 

 established practice of geographers, that the native appellation of 

 this gigantic peak should be that, by which it is known to the 

 civilized world, and that an endeavour should be made to ascertain 

 this name — of the existence of which there can be little doubt — ■ 

 through the agency of the Nepal government or otherwise ; but 

 that in the mean time it would be in every way more appropriate 

 and more consistent with usage, that the mountain should be called 

 after the name of its distinguished and accomplished discoverer, 

 Colonel "Waugh, than by that of his predecessor Col. Everest, who, 

 however great his merits and abilities, had no immediate connection 

 with this discovery. 



The Council therefore suggested to the meeting the propriety 

 of addressing a letter to Col. Waugh, expressing a hope that he 

 would acquiesce in this view of the subject, and allow the mountain 

 to be called provisionally at least by his own name, instead of by 

 that of his predecessor. 



After some discussion this proposition was negatived, several 

 members having expressed an opinion that it would not be compli- 

 mentary to Col. Waugh to interfere in the matter. 



Communications were received — 



1. — From the Lieut. -Governor of the N. "W. P. through Mr. 

 Assistant Secretary Oldfield, copy of a correspondence on the 

 subject of the exploration of the ruins of Sarnath, conducted 

 during the past season under the supervision of Dr. Butler. 



2. — Erom Babu Eadha Nath Sikdar, forwarding copy of a 

 Meteorological Eegister kept at the Surveyor General's Office, 

 Calcutta, for the months of June and July last. 



The Librarian submitted his usual monthly report. 



Mr. Oldham begged to bring before the Society a coin of some 

 interest. About a fortnight since, he had received from a friend, a 

 silver coin, with a request that he would say what it was. Not be- 

 ing able to do so himself, he had applied to the best authority he 



