of Edinburgh, Session 1879-80. 
415 
expect the water at the bottom of Linlithgow Loch to he warmer 
than the water at the bottom of Loch Lomond, which we find to he 
the case. 
[Added February 24, 1880. — It is scarcely necessary to say that 
the explanation here given of the descent of the cold water into the 
depths of lakes in winter, applies to the converse process which takes 
place on the approach of summer. If the distribution of temperature 
in lakes depended on currents due to difference of temperature alone, 
the water in the depths of lakes would never rise above 39*2°, as the 
sun’s rays are robbed of their heating effect by a small depth of water, 
— and it is principally by the wind-driven currents that the hotter and 
lighter surface water is caused to sink into the depths of the lake]. 
2. Eemarks on the Aborigines of the Andaman Islands. By 
Surgeon E. S. Brander, M.B., C.M., H.M. Bengal Medical 
Staff, Second Medical Officer, Port Blair and Mcobars. 
(Plate XV.) 
I propose making a few brief observations on the relations in 
which we stand to the aborigines of the Andaman Islands, their 
place in the economy of this convict settlement, and their more 
noticeable habits and customs. In the consideration of the latter, 
I shall only state such information as I have obtained myself from 
conversation with, and personal observation on the manners of the 
natives. Detailed monographs on their ethnology, &c., have been 
written already by several observers, and are to be found in the 
“ Transactions of the Anthropological Society,” &c. 
When the British Government first acquired possession of these 
islands, the aborigines, due perhaps to previous bad treatment at 
the hands of Europeans, presented a decidedly hostile aspect. Any 
attempt to land from ships was met by determined resistance on 
their part, and for some years this condition of things remained. 
It was shortly after the Mutiny that Government first decided to 
use these islands as a convict settlement, deeming it a safe measure 
to get the imprisoned mutineers safely out of the country altogether. 
By the time the convict settlement was first established, the Anda- 
manese had ceased any hostile efforts, but had entirely fled into the 
jungle, where they refused to accede to any friendly overtures. By 
