274 The Origin of Brahmanism. [No. 12, new series. 



fatigue and privation. The Coquero Indians generally use from ^ 

 to 1 ounce per diem, which they chew and go for weeks without 

 further aliment exposed to the inclemency of the weather and in 

 other respects to absolute starvation. A chemical analysis gives 

 an alkaloid, " Cocaine," which bears a strong resemblance to Aconite, 

 the active principle of Bella donna, and like it, has the property of 

 dilating the pupil of the eye. 



In both France and Prussia for some years past, statistical re* 

 turns connected with fatal accidents from Electricity, have been 

 carefully kept and published. In France during 17 years, no less 

 than 1308 people have been struck dead by lightening, giving a 

 yearly average of 72.22 persons. Prussia gives an almost exactly 

 similar average viz. 72.25. In both countries, the male victims are 

 much in excess of the females. In Prussia the districts of greatest 

 mortality from this cause stand in the following order, — 1. Pro- 

 vince of Prussia, 2. Silesia, 3. Brandenburg, 4. Pomerania, 5. 

 Westphalia, 6. Hhenish Prussia, and least of all the Polish Duchy 

 of Posen. According to these returns the greatest number of ac- 

 cidents happened in and near buildings ; then come the open fields ; 

 and, contrary to the popular belief the fewest occurred under trees. 

 To those acquainted with the German language we strongly recom- 

 mend a regular perusal of this scientific journal ; the two first 

 numbers are most promising, beautifully printed and profusely 

 illustrated; and the topics are well chosen and ably treated. 



XIX. .■— The Origin of Brahmanism. By Major H. Congreve. 



Three accounts are extant of the invasion of India under heroes 

 named Bacchus, Rama, and Osiris. The first is a Greek legend, 

 the second is of Indian origin and the third is Egyptian. I am 

 persuaded they all refer to the same expedition, and that from its 

 arrival in India dates the dawn of Brahmanism in this country. 



Greek Account of the Invasion. 



Bacchus marched into the East for the conquest of India, at the 

 head of a large Army. He was accompanied by Pan, Silenus, and 



