1855.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 355 



say, they obtain a fourth of iron from this stone. This conjecture 

 may be far out, but they seemed aware that this one was richer than that 

 obtainable in other parts. The process of manufacture was also some- 

 what different. The stone goes through a preliminary process of 

 roasting with wood fuel, and is then beaten into a powder for smelting 

 with charcoal (made from saul wood) fuel in the usual manner. No 

 flux is ever used, though lime is very abundant, all over these districts. 

 Merchants from Cuttack and Ganjam purchase all the iron made, 

 payment being given by advances in grain, at a rate very unfair for 

 the manufacturer. I have sent specimens of the ore and iron in their 

 several stages. The ore is procured in any quantity by digging imme- 

 diately below the surface. 



"I have also enclosed two other curious specimens. The soft red stone 

 was strewed over a part of the large valley west of the Gangpur coal 

 bed. I had occasion to erect a stone mound, and only that description 

 of stone was at hand, and my mound now stands made of similar 

 stones all streaked inside like these specimens, the streak taking dif- 

 ferent forms, corresponding more or less with the shape of the stones." 



4. From the Government of the North Western Provinces through 

 W. Mayne, Esq. Offg. Collector of Banda, eleven copper Sunnads of 

 maffee villages in Zillah Banda. 



5. From Dr. Falconer, a full and descriptive Catalogue of the 

 Tertiary Fossils in the Society's Museum, classified, so far as the speci- 

 mens admit of identification, according to the localities in which they 

 were found and showing the names of donors. 



6. From William Cobb Hurry, Esq. specimens of pottery found in 

 Sunderbund Grant No. — by Mr. Thierry, seven feet below the surface 

 of the ground, while digging earth to make bricks. 



His Highness Mohammad Hossain Ally Ex-Ameer of Scinde, duly 

 proposed and seconded at the last meeting, was elected an ordinary 

 member. 



The following gentlemen were named for ballot at the next meeting. 



T. Thomson, Esq. M.D. proposed by Mr. Grote and seconded by 

 the President. 



J. W. Sherer, Esq. C. S. proposed by Mr. Allen and seconded by 

 Mr. Grote. 



Dr. Montgomerie, proposed (for re-election) by Lt. Lees and second- 

 ed by Dr. Boycott. 



3 A 



