1G2 
[No. 2, 
Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 
“ On Saturday evening, 16th February, 1 8G 1 , Paklioo Syce, in the 
service of Alexander Walker, Esq., went to a tank in the compound 
to wash his face. He observed the water receding from the masonry 
steps of the tank, and upon watching it for a few seconds perceived it 
to rise again until it stood above his ankles. He then ran and gave 
information to the other servants. 
“ We proceeded to the spot at about 7| r. M., and observed the 
water as described by the syce. It rose and fell at least six inches 
at intervals of from 28 to 30 seconds. 
“ We then took observations from the other end of the tank in 
order to ascertain whether the whole body of water rose and fell, or 
whether it was surging backwards and forwards. There was neither 
wave nor ripple on the surface. 
“ The result of the observation was that when the water stood 
highest at one end, it was lowest at the other end, and the oscillation 
was to and fro from East to West. 
“ It was remarked by the natives that the water was at a higher 
temperature than usual, but no thermometer being procurable, we were 
unable to determine this point. 
“ Persons were then sent to all the neighbouring* tanks to ascertain 
if they were perturbed also, but the water in them was quite station- 
ary ; the night was still. 
“ When the oscillation was at its greatest, the water must have 
risen and fallen at least 8 inches ; that is, if we may judge from the 
marks on the parapet wall of the masonry steps ; but when we 
measured it at |-past 7 o’clock it appeared to be rather over than 
under 6 inches, and it went on gradually diminishing until at about 
11 o’clock p. m. there was a rise and fall of only about one inch. 
“ We observed that the fish in the tank jumped a good deal, and 
the little crabs came to the edges as if endeavouring to get out.” 
The Secretary stated that he had received another communication 
from Mr. Masters of the College at Ivrishnagur, giving an account 
of a similar disturbance having occurred at the same time in some of 
the tanks in that neighbourhood. 
The following extracts from Mr. Masters’ letter were read : — 
“ I see that the papers have begun to notice a very remarkable 
phenomenon in the rivers and tanks, which occurred on Saturday the 
16th ultimo, at 7 r. M., and have called upon the Asiatic Society to 
take it into consideration. 
