xxiii. 



secret said to be possessed by the Buddhist priests. Every one knows 

 how soon insects got into books in Ceylon, unless the latter were very 

 carefully looked after. Now he had often observed how free the 61a 

 books of the Buddhist temples and Viharas were from the ravages of 

 these insects, an immunity to be wondered at, as the thick vegetable 

 61a leaf seemed peculiarly liable to their attacks. These books smelt 

 very strong of some resinous substance, and he was informed that the 

 priests used some preparation of resin, it might be from the Dum tree, 

 to preserve their olas from the insect. He had himself tried it, but 

 unsuccessfully, on books. 



Dr. Ondaatje said that the gum used for the purpose named by 

 Mr. Boake, by the priests, was well known in Ceylon. It was from 

 ■a kind of Hal tree. 



A discussion took place as to whether the resin was a normal 

 or a morbid production of the Bum tree. Dr. Ondaatje held the 

 former view, Mr. Boake, Mr. Wall, and Mr. Ferguson, the latter. 



General Meeting, Zlst August, 1867. 

 Rev. B. Boake, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Rev. J. Mill, Messrs. Skeen, De Zoysa, Heath, Ferguson, Holds- 

 worth and Lorenz : — 



The Minutes of the former Meetings were read over by the 

 Secretary. 



A work by Dr. Balfour on the Forest Trees of Southern India, 

 presented by the Government of Ceylon, was laid on the Table. 



A bronze box found under the ruins of a Dagoba near Avissawella 

 was presented to the Society by Mr. Rhys Davids. The thanks of 

 the Society were ordered to be given to Mr. Davids ; and it was re- 

 solved to enquire whether the stone covering the box could be brought, 

 at a moderate expense, to the Society^ Rooms. 



A letter from Mr. Hawkins resigning his post as Curator was 

 read. The Secretary also laid his resignation before the Meeting. 



