32 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Jan. 



the former and Mr. J. Ball to the latter expedition. We learned 

 shortly after that the Bombay Government contemplated the orga- 

 nization of a scientific establishment on an extensive scale, and we 

 therefore anticipate the most satisfactory results. The expedition to 

 the Nicobars has apparently been abandoned and Mr. Ball's services are 

 consequently in abeyance. 



It is not less satisfactory to know that another member of our Society, 

 Lt. Beavan of the Bengal Staff Corps has been appointed by the Secre- 

 tary of State, at the instance of the Zoological Society in London, to 

 accompany the expedition to Abyssinia, as Naturalist. We have thus 

 earnest of real work, and we look forward to most important results. 



Our energetic Natural History Secretary, Dr. J. Anderson, Curator 

 of the Indian Museum, has been appointed by the Government of Pegu 

 to accompany the expedition into Younan. As this is a country all 

 but unknown and unexplored, we have promise in the well-known 

 energy of our Secretary of much valuable addition, not only to our 

 stock of knowledge, but also to our collections. It is not only in 

 these special fields of research, but I am happy to say all over India, 

 that our members are zealously working, and by their contributions 

 daily adding to our knowledge of the country, its products, its people 

 and their languages. 



The various Committees of the Council have worked zealously and 

 well. It would be impossible in the short space of time available for 

 an address of this nature to specify or even notice all their proceedings, 

 I shall content myself by remarking on what is most important. 

 The Philological Committee have made arrangements for printing a 

 Grammar of the Lepcha tongue by Major Main waring, and application 

 has been made to Government for the Major's services, that he may 

 have an opportunity of revising his Grammar among the Lepchas 

 themselves. 



The Chief Commissioner of Rohilcund has also been requested to 

 obtain for the Committee, a Catalogue of the Persian works in the 

 Library of the Rajah of Bampore. 



On the recommendation of their Secretary, Babu R. Mitra, the 

 Philological Committee have adopted the Jonesian system of translitera- 

 tion, as modified by Professor Wilson, in spelling oriental words ; and 

 have also adopted a key to the system, by the Secretary, who has printed 



