1850.] 



Analysis of Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



59 



nagement (then) rested. Details of images, shrines, and sacred pools are 

 appended. 



It is found, on further examination, that this book, like some others 

 in the same language, has sustained transposition, and disarrangement. 

 The whole contents relate to Tripety ; and though some of the section- 

 headings would imply historical matter, yet, on investigation, these are 

 found to relate only to Pauranical details of the four ages; the Avata- 

 ras of Vishnu; and the Surya and Chandra races, of all which Jam 

 Satis. One of the legends relates to a great dispute among the Bishis, 

 as to which of the Trimurti was the greatest. Bhriga Rishi interfer- 

 ed, and decided the question by proving that Vishnu, who there dwelt 

 with Lachsmu, was the greatest. But Lachsmi, offended at BhrigxCs in- 

 terference, absconded and dwelt at Colopur. The only real historical re- 

 ferences, are to the building of the shrine by Adondai, — to the rule 

 of Acasa-rajah and a few successors — and to an intention of Narasinha- 

 rayer to build a large tower over one of the gates, an intention averted 

 by a snake appearing in a dream at night and telling him) it could not 

 be done without destroying the snakes, after which snakes the mountain 

 was named Seshachala, or " serpent mountain." In the course of the 

 papers, the legend of the dispute of Adesesha, with Vayus, the god of 

 wind, is stated. In any matters of historical bearing the Tamil and Ca- 

 narese papers have anticipated those now disprinted details. The par- 

 ticulars of gardens, porches, buildings, grants, and such like matters, are 

 comparatively unimportant. 



The book is in a damaged condition ; the leaves are loose, and confused ; 

 as also partially injured by damp, and termites. It has nevertheless re- 

 ceived a full, and very sufficient examination ; and its value is found to be 

 much less than was supposed from the table of contents. Indeed its value 

 considering the details contained in other books, is now almost nothing ; 

 but such a book when fresh and entire, fully translated and given to 

 the world in 1804 or 1805, might have had invaluable consequences. 



Manuscript Book, No. 38, C. M. 950. 

 Section 1. Mulierum Classificatio. 



A brief paper containing a notice of supposed varieties of a portion of 

 the human species. 



Section 2. The Bhugola sastra. 



This is merely a version in Mahratti, of Hindu Geography, and the 

 same title is prefixed to works in nearly all the languages of the Penin- 

 sula. The Geography is pauranical, not scientific. 



