1866.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 175 



will such properties from the origin of the names. The names in fact 

 become arbitrary terms. 



" I do not jsee the force of the objection raised by Major Lees from 

 the large volume of native scientific terms he has referred to. As 

 regards words which are suitable for their purposes, there is no reason 

 for changing them, and we do not desire to do so ; but there must be 

 many also, more particularly those connected with the natural and 

 physical sciences, which can only be of interest or use in the history 

 of antiquated science. We make no objection to preserving them for 

 such purposes, but the question at present is with reference to the 

 introduction of modern science : we are endeavouring to introduce 

 the knowledge of new things, facts and ideas, for which there are no 

 native words in existence ; and what we contend for is, that the names 

 given to these things by those who have first described or created them, 

 should be accepted by those to whom they are impartial, and not be 

 superseded by others needlessly invented for the purpose. If the plea 

 of nationality and peculiarity of language is a good one, then in propor- 

 tion as scientific knowledge is extended to different races, we should 

 have new terms invented not only on the basis of the Sanscrit, but on 

 that of Arabic, Chinese or other leading language, producing difficulty 

 and confusion greatly to be regretted- 



" European cultivators of science do not confine themselves to words 

 of Latin and Greek origin : there are many instances of terms derived 

 from other languages ; and it appears to me that it would be a course 

 much more redounding to their honour, if the Hindoos, in cultivating 

 the modern sciences, instead of setting about inventing new terms to 

 replace those already accepted and used by scientific men throughout 

 the world, were to apply themselves to the discovery of new facts, and 

 the evolution of new ideas. In giving names to these, should they 

 derive them from the Sanscrit or the Arabic, there can be no doubt 

 but that European men of science would readily adopt them." 



Major Lees said that he was very reluctant to prolong a dis- 

 cussion which, he had already stated, he thought profitless ; but he 

 must protest against the turn that had been given to the debate, lest 

 it should be inferred that the principle against which the arguments 

 of many of the gentlemen who had spoken this evening were levied, 

 was embodied in the reply of the Lieut. -Governor of the Punjab to the 



