1831.] 
Miscellaneous Notices . 
259 
New, excepting towards the north, where the two great portions of the world are 
united. And this observation will be regarded as correct in a greater or less 
degree, according to our opportunities of knowing how wonderfully species, 
genera, and even families, are affected by the influence of locality. 
I must conclude by observing that the foregoing remarks, are merely an ad- 
vertisement, that the settlement of this question is desirable. Indeed, without 
the means of extended observation, with no good work to consult, and (as the 
reader must readily have perceived) with very limited practice of description, I 
could only presume so far, as to point out what is wanting to the science, rather 
than attempt to supply it myself. 
V. — Miscellaneous Notices. 
I. A List of Desiderata, — By the Royal Asiatic Society. 
1* A comparison of the languages or dialects existing throughout Polynesia. 
2. An account of the early communications between Europe and Asia, whether 
commercial or military. 
3. An account of the institutions of property in land and slaves, and of marriage 
among all classes of the inhabitants of India. 
4. The history of the various settlements of foreigners which have taken place 
in India from the earliest periods, and embracing both Europeans and Asiatics^ 
with reference to the motives of such colonization, the circumstances attending the 
various settlements, their effects upon the original inhabitants of the country as 
regards their religion, manners, customs, and political institutions, and the pre- 
sent condition of their descendants actually existing in India. Under this head 
would be included the Jews of Cochin, the Afghans, the Parsees of Surat and 
Bombay, and the Mahotnmedans of all classes, as well as the natives of different 
European countries which have been connected with India, as the Portuguese, the 
Dutch, the French, the Danes, and the English. 
An account of the most ancient Hindu drawings and paintings, with their 
probable date. 
6- An account of the most ancient buildings in India, with the supposed date of 
their erection. 
'■ An account of the worship of demons in India, Ceylon, &c. 
An account of the astrological system of the Hindus, &c. 
9- An account of the temple of Madura in the Carnatic, specifying its dimen - 
! '°ns, number of pillars on each side, whether it has a cupola or not ; its reputed 
h a te, whether it is Jain, Buddhic, or Brahminical ; and whether its walls or founda- 
tions are composed of very large stones or not. The addition of a ground plan and 
^t'ons is very desirable. 
The same particulars relating to two temples at Belgaum, 80 miles East of 
0fl > and whether their pillars appear to have been turned upon a lathe. 
IE Copies of all the alphabets now used in India, intra et extra Gangem , and 
ln the Eastern Archipelago, with their value in English letters, and the meanings 
their names when they are significant. 
Copies of ancient Hindu inscriptions, with transcripts in Devanagari. 
Copies of all the numerals used in Asia, whether formed of letters or figuies, 
Wlth thei r various forms. 
drawings and descriptions of the various kinds of mariner s compasses and 
^diacs used in Asia, with the names of the principal winds, of the signs of the 
