OCT. — DEC. 1856.] 
Scientijic Inielligence, 
111 
I was on the summit of our highest mountains, the Agusteer 
Mally (about 30 miles W. N. W. of Trevandrum) on Monday the 
nth but did not perceive any shock. I noted that the Tinnevelly 
country and the mountains to the north appeared much clearer 
that morning than usual. 
The testimony on the whole seems to indicate a southerly and 
easterly point as the direction of the origin, all agree that the sound 
was heard before the shock was perceived. 
It is quite possible that the sh(5ck may have been propagated 
from Tinnevelly below the ghats and not have been very sensible 
at their summits. It would be of importance for the purpose of 
determining the origin, *the velocities and the direction of trans- 
mission of the shock to have the accurate time it was perceived at 
some localities considerably distant from Trevandrum. 
I have the honor to be, 
Sir, 
Your's obediently, 
John Allan Brown. 
Trevandrum Observatory, ^ 
16th August, 1856. ] 
P. S. — Where the earthquake has been observed it will be de- 
sirable to mention by what means the error of the timepiece has 
been obtained. 
SiE, — I took the liberty a few days ago of forwarding to you a 
notice of an earthquake felt in Travancore on the 11th instant, al- 
low me to add to that communication that I have found since that 
the shock was neither perceived at Nagercoil (40 miles S. E. by E. 
of Trevandrum) nor at Cochin (120 miles N. W. by N.) but I un- 
derstand it was felt at Cottyam (90 miles N. N. W.) It was also 
felt at Courtallum (40 miles N. E.) by several persons ; and Dr. 
Barker estimates the time of the shock there at 5h. 50m. a. m. 
(verified to some degree by the sunrise) this time agrees really with 
that of the shock at Trevandrum. At Quilon Mr. D'Albedhyll in- 
forms me that two ladies give 20 minutes before 6 as the time of 
p 
