3 866.J Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 19 



From E. C. Bayley, *Esq., Secy, to the Govt, of India. 



To The Secretary, Asiatic Society. 



Dated, Fort William, the 22nd Dec, 1865. 

 Home Dept. 



Sir, — The Society are doubtless aware that the late Mr. Piddington 

 published a Horn Book on the Law of Storms, and was engaged in 

 collecting materials to enlarge his publication. 



Since his death, several communications, ten in number, have been 

 received in this office relating to various storms met with by the 

 writers during their voyages. These communications are herewith 

 forwarded to the Society, for any use they may think proper to make 

 of them. 



I have, &c, 

 (Sd.) E. C. Bayley, 



Secy, to the Govt, of India.. 



2. From F. Fedden, Esq., containing* a few notes on Fire-flies. 



" I see that in Part II., No. III. under " Notes and Queries" there 

 has been a slight discussion on the fireflies, as to their emitting their 

 light simultaneously in flashes. The fact is perfectly correct, as de- 

 scribed in the quotations from "The Beader" and Cameron's works. 

 I have often observed in parts of Burmah, near the streams in the 

 Bassein district especially, the fireflies appear to hover about the 

 bushes in myriads, and simultaneously emit their intermittent light 

 irrespective of wind or extraneous causes apparently. At times, one 

 end of the bush will commence to emit light, that will spread as a 

 flash across to the other end, by which time the former will be in 

 darkness : or one bush or portion may be illuminated, while another 

 has just been extinguished." 



11 Have you ever observed the noise the white ants make when dis- 

 turbed, perhaps at night when committing their ravages on some 

 matting or straw ? The noise they cause, always reminds me of the 

 simultaneous flashing of the fireflies. The noise is produced by the 

 white ant sharply driving forward his forceps into anything it may be 

 on (the straw or the matting) and tearing a small fragment away. 

 They do this intermittently and almost simultaneously, one portion 

 perhaps commencing slightly before the mass (as a signal) and ceasing 



so much earlier." 



(Sd.) F. Fedden, 



