Proceedings of Societies . 
260 
zodiac, the mansions of the moon, and of the cycles of 12 animals and of 60 days 
or years. 
15. Lists of drugs, spices, metals, stones, &c. in the various languages of Asia, 
written in their respective characters, with their pronunciation and meaning in 
English. 
16. An account of the mode of inheritance among the Nairs by which property 
descends in the female line. 
VI. — Proceedings of Societies. 
1. — Asiatic Society. 
Wednesday, the 6th July, 
The President, Sir Charles E. Grey, in the Chair. 
A resolution was passed, that residents in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies be 
eligible as Honorary Members, but that it is inexpedient to admit permanent residents 
in any part of the Bengal Presidency to the same privilege. 
The following donations were presented : Two Pearl Oyster Shells from Valparaiso. 
Models of the Culinary and Paun Vessels of the Hindus, by Rajah Kalee Krishen. 
An impression and drawing of a Coin with Cufic characters, found at Baitool, pre- 
sented by Dr. Carey, on the part of Captain Crawford. A brass equestrian figure, 
said to be that of Rajah Salya, found in Silwan, in the Futtehpur district, pre- 
sented by Mr. Prinsep. Read a letter from Mr. Thomason, Secretary to Govern- 
ment, forwarding eighteen Coins, found at Khurrah, in the Futtehpur district, with 
remarks upon them by Mr. Thomason, and by the Secretary. Meteorological Regis- 
ters from February to May, were presented by the Surveyor General. A 'copy of the 
Nul-Dumun, printed at the Lithographic press, was presented by the Proprietors. 
Several works were presented by distinguished foreign Societies and individuals. 
A lettei was read from the Royal Asiatic Society, forwarding* a number of queries 
from the Society 1 y also from Professor Milman, and copies of Inscriptions found 
in Arabia. It was resolved, that the Society’s queries should be published in the 
Government Gazette, and those of Professor Milman be referred to Principal Mill 
and Mr. Tytler, for such answers as they may be able to furnish. 
The following papers were then read : An account of Kali Ghat, &c. by Rajah 
Kalee Krishen. A communication by Mr. Walters, on the population, &c. of 
Dacca. Observations on the Catalogues of Kah-gyur and Stan-gyur, and other 
communications on Thibetan Literature, presented by M. De Koros 2 . 
s resu ^ s have already been given in abstract in our March Number. 
— ihe following are his observations on the cotton fabrics of Dacca; which used 
to be so much in request. 
* V™!?. be curious t0 compare the gradual decrease of the population, 
with the falling off of the manufacture of those beautiful cotton fabrics, for 
whmh this city was once without a rival in the world. The first falling off 
m t " e Da cca trade, took place so far back as 1801 ; previous to which, the 
yearly advances made by the Honorable Company and private traders, for Dacca 
muslms, were estimated at upwards of 25 Lacs of Rupees. In 1807, the 
Honorable Company’s Investment had fallen to 5,95,900, and the private trade 
to about o, 60 ,200. In 1813 the private trade did not exceed 2 , 05 , 950 , and 
h 0 f.°‘ tlie r Honorable Company was scarcely more considerable. And « 
18L, the English Commercial Residency was altogether discontinued. The 
French and Dutch Factories had been abandoned many years before. The divi- 
sion ot labour was carried to a great extent in the manufacture of fine muslins, 
n spinning the very line thread more especially, a great degree of skill was attain- 
ed. It was spun with the fingers on a ‘ Tuckwah ,’ or fine steel spindle, bv young 
women, who could only work during the early part of the morning, while the dew 
was on the ground ; for sucli was the extreme tenuity of the fibre, that it would 
not bear manipulation after the sun had risen. One Ratti of cotton could thus 
ne spun into a thread 80 cubits long ; which was sold by the spinners at 1 rupee 
Ip', 1 Slcca weight, i he Ruff'oogurs, or darners, were also particularly 
j UL 1 he y couId remove an entire thread from a piece of muslin, and replace 
1 They will be found in the preceding page. 
i rm ted in our present number. 
