PREFACE. 



iii 



ec Nature ; whatever is performed by the one, or produced 

 " by the other.'' 



The 1 bias of Sir William Jones' mind led him to the 

 study and cultivation of the first objects of his category, 

 the performances of man ; and there is no doubt that philo- 

 logers, antiquaries and literati have been more numerous, in 

 their several departments, than observers and historians of 

 the productions of nature. Oriental scholars inform us that 

 very much remains to be done in their department ; and, 

 assuredly, there is abundant scope for observation and in- 

 quiry in the boundless and beautiful domains of Nature. 



The intelligent and observant mind can never be in want 

 of a subject, therefore • seeing that these exhaust less fields 

 are open to him and inviting his notice and investigation. At 

 the same time it is necessary to point out that the subjects 

 suited for the pages of this Journal, by reason of the nature 

 of the publication, and the circumstance of its issue by 

 an Asiatic Society, are solely those which appertain, directly 

 or indirectly, to Asia. Communications on the belles leitres 

 of Europe, or on subjects immediately connected with the 

 practical application of the learned professions, are, there- 

 fore, on this principle, clearly inadmissible. 



A great deal may be effected, in the various branches of 

 Natural Philosophy, by individuals possessing little acquaint- 

 ance with the sciences. On this subject the language of the 

 first living philosopher may be advantageously adduced. 



i( To avail ourselves as far as possible of the advantages 

 which a division of labour may afford for the collecting of 

 facts, by the industry and activity which the general diffusion 

 of information, in the present age, brings into exercise, is an 

 object of great importance. There is scarcely any well-in- 

 formed person, who, if he has but the will, has not also the 

 power to add something essential to the general stock of 

 knowledge, if he will only observe regularly and methodically 

 some particular class of facts which may most excite his at- 

 tention, or which his situation may best enable him to study 

 with effect. To instance one or two subjects, which can 



