102 



Beport on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



Peddana, the famous Telugii poet (see the notice of that composition, 

 5th Report B. Telugu, No. 12). This fragment is old ; has one or two 

 leaves broken; and insects had begun to glue the leaves, preparatory to 

 their work of destruction ; but have been interrupted. It may be set 

 aside previous to adverting to the other contents. 



The Retta-matam properly consists of six sections, of which No. 108, 

 contains five complete. It is olJ, two or three leaves are broken ; others 

 glued by insects ; and a work of destruction was begun ; though not 

 carried on to any material extent. No. 109 has two leaves prefixed, 

 containing praises of FeVmw, as and there are five sections of 



the jBe/^a-wa/am complete, with a few leaves of the sixth, but the re- 

 maining portion of that section is deficient. It is a comparatively recently 

 written book : notwithstanding which, it has a leaf or two, broken, 

 and others slightly punctured by insects. No. 110 is a small portable 

 pocket sized book, containing selections from the astrological portions 

 of the work, concerning eclipses, and the influences of "the nine pla» 

 nets." It seems to have been copied out only a few years since ; and 

 is in perfect preservation. 



The introduction to the Retta-matam, contains some eulogy of Vencata' 

 rayetif being the ruler of Chandra-giri', and younger brother of Timma' 

 rajUf of Pennaconda. Jyatn-Bhascara, being present in his court, was 

 asked to narrate some poem, with which request he complied, by trans- 

 lating, from the Hala Canada language, the work of one named Retta : 

 the leading topics of this translation are, 



1. On the causes inducing the production of rain. 



2. On discriminating the value of produce from the earth. 



3. On divination, by signs, tokens, &c. on the Hindu system. 

 'J. On augury, or divination by birds. 



5. Concerning Z)Aw?a5, messengers, familiar spirits, or demons, sup- 

 posed to reside, like hamadryads, in trees; sometimes in fanes, old 

 houses, cross-roads, &c; and considered to have the power of speech, 

 sometimes with visible appearance, sometimes without, and indicating 

 good or evil to the human beings addressed. The agency of this class 

 of supernatural machinery is frequently adverted to, in Hindu books. 



6. Portents, or indication of clouds, as to rain. 



7. Indication of rain by an aerial sound, preceding its fall (an ob- 

 servable phenomenon in heavy tropical rams). 



8. On the qualities, or excelleucies, of learning. 



9. On the rainbow, or fabled bow of Indra. 



10. On I unar haloes, as an indication of rain. 



11. On the rising of the sun, and consequent effect on the wind. 



