1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 121 



the seed vessel, the bread, of which a specimen is shown, must be 

 indigestible, non-nutritious and irritating. 



5. Maleecha. — The seed of a species of grass (probably an Mleusme.) 

 I have no sample of the bread made from this ; neither could I ob- 

 tain any specimens of the plant itself, so as to identify it. 



6. Tilli. — The refuse of the seeds of Sesamum orientate, remaining 

 after the oil has been expressed. This is not made into bread, but is 

 boiled with water into a kind of soup. The specimen, exhibited, was 

 bought from a bunneah in Joudhpore bazar, who was selling it to an 

 eager crowd at the rate of seven seers for a Company's rupee. In 

 Marwar, this substance is largely stored up by bunneahs against sea- 

 sons of scarcity. It keeps for many years without further deteriora- 

 tion than a darkening of colour. 



7. Seeds of various Oucurbitaceous plants. — Watermelons of great 

 size grow in a semi wild state in enormous numbers in Bikaneer, and 

 some parts of Marwar, during the rains. The seeds of these, of cu- 

 cumbers, pumpkins, and melons are stored up against scarcity. They 

 make a not unpalateable bread. 



With the exception of Tilli cake, none of the articles just enumerat- 

 ed can be had to buy. Mothee will not keep, but the others are 

 hoarded up in their houses by the poorer people themselves for their 

 own use when the crops fail. These hoards are however, insignificant, 

 and are soon exhausted during seasons like the present, when in many 

 parts of Marwar no rain whatever has fallen for more than a year. 



Botanic Garden, Saharunpore, 25th January, 1869. 



The reading of the following papers was postponed ; 



4. Contribution towards the knowledge of Indian Arachnoidea ; 

 by Dr. F. Stoliczka. 



5. Contribution to our knowledge of Pelagic Mollusca ; by Capt. 

 G. E. Frayer. 



6. Topographical features of Assam and their indications ; by Dr. 

 J. Meredith. 



