in general were to be attributed to the operation of the waters of a lake. His last inspection of those in Lochaber has not only confirmed his conviction of the truth of this theory, with respect to them, but has led him to imagine that he has discovered the boundaries, extent, and shape of the ancient lakes, as well as the cause which produced their evacuation. He conceives that he is warranted to conclude, from the observations he has made, that Glen Gluoy was at one time an independent lake, having its level twelve feet above the lake of Roy, when at its highest, into which it discharged a stream from its N.E. extremity. Glen Roy must have contained an independent lake in two different states, as indicated by its uppermost and second shelves. Whilst in the first state, its level must have been such, that it discharged its waters, and those tributory to it, from Loch Gluoy, in the direction of the Loch of Spey, and by it towards the Eastern sea. When this was the case, a barrier must have existed at the mouth of Glen Roy, se. parating its lake from one at that time Occupying the whole valley of the Spean, at the level of the lowest shelf of all, and which has such a relation to the summit-level at the Pass of Muckull, as to warrant the conclusion, that it must have sent its stream through it towards the Eastern sea, by the course of the river Spey. Two different ruptures took place in the bar rier of division between Lochs Roy and Spean. The first diminished the surface of Loch Roy so much, as to render it tributary to Loch Spean. The second breach reduced it to the level of Loch Spean, of which it now formed a portion. Whilst the lakes were in this state, Mr Lauder Dick supposes that the whole ground at their south-western end was one unbroken mass, and that the great glen of Scotland had then no existence,

and consequently that what are now the mouths of Glen Gluoy and Glen Spean, were shut in by a terra firma, and that the united waters of the whole lakes formed a river running through the Pass of Muckull, towards the eastern sea,

An examination of the Glen-morna-Albin, or Great Glen of Scotland, stretching in a diagonal line across the island from Inverness to Fort William, has convinced me that it has owed its origin to some convulsion of nature, and that the opening of this vast chasm was the cause of the discharge of the water of the lakes, and of the change of the direction of the current of the rivers, which now run to the Western, instead of to the Eastern sea, as they seem to have done formerly. He conceives also, that the horizontal shelves of Lochaber, and this vast crack across the island, reflect a mutual light on each other, elucidating the history of both.

March 16th.-Professor Leslie read an account of his new instrument called the Etherioscope. For an account of which, we refer to the chapter on Improvement in Science.

At the same meeting, Dr Brewster communicated to the Society a paper on a new theory of double refraction.

April 6th.-Professor Playfair read part of a biographical account of the author of the Naval Tactics.

In this essay, which excited the greatest interest in the Society, Mr Playfair observed, that Mr Clerk belonged to a class of active and vigorous minds, which extend their thoughts and inventions beyond their regular and professional sphere. Mr Clerk, however, though not a seaman, was led by circumstances, at an early period of life, to take a voyage on board a ship of war, and was even present at the great fight near Gibraltar. His situ ation then as a spectator, and not an actor, might be favourable to the ha

bit of reflecting on the mode in which naval affairs were conducted. After coming home, he gradually matured his well-known system of naval tactics. Mr Playfair observed, that no plan was then known by which one fleet could bring another to action without great disadvantage. It was impossible that the whole could be brought into line opposite to the enemy, without some part being first exposed to an unequal combat, and considerable loss. All these disadvantages were obviated, and in case of superior valour, a complete victory secured, by the plan of bearing down upon the enemy's centre, and breaking his line. Admiral Rodney, well known as the first who put this grand manœuvre in practice, universally declared himself indebted for the knowledge of it to Mr Clerk. To other testimonies, Mr Playfair could add that of Lord Haddington, who saw this illustrious veteran at an advanced age, when he was unable to stir from his sofa. Even then he loudly professed his obligations to the Naval Tactics, and cried out, with characteristic enthusiasm," John Clerk for ever!" Lord Howe, when a copy of the work was sent to him, wrote, that he admired the ingenuity of the writer, but that he would follow the old system. In fact, however, before the 22d of June, he must have changed his opinion; for he followed the plan of the Naval Tactics, and thereby gained a complete triumph. It was by acting upon the same system, that Lords St Vincent, Duncan, and Nelson, gain. ed that series of victories which rendered their names immortal. In short, this system might justly be considered as the main instrument which raised the naval glory of Britain to such an unrivalled height. Mr Playfair then adverted, in terms of deep and eloquent regret, to the circumstance, that no tribute of national gratitude had been paid to merit so transcendent. What

ever might be the cause, it could little affect Mr Clerk, to whom the proud consciousness of having conferred so signal a benefit on his native country, must have afforded higher satisfaction than could be derived from any adventitious distinction. It could not but be viewed in a different light, however, when considered as affecting the character of the nation and its rulers, for whom the bestowing of honours. and rewards upon great public benefactors, must always be numbered as one of the most important and imperious duties.

ASIATIC SOCIETY.

August 6, 1817.-An interesting paper was read, written by Mr Ellis, communicating a curious instance of literary forgery, or rather religious imposition. In 1778 a book was printed at Paris, entitled L'Ezour Vedam, containing the exposition of the opinions of the Indian priests and philosophers, and said to be translated from the Sanscrit by a Bramin. It was said in the preface, that the work was originally among the papers of M. Barthelemy, a member of council at Pondicherry; that M. Moldave brought a copy of it from India, and presented it to Voltaire, who sent it, in 1761, to the library of the King of France. Voltaire had been informed that the chief priest of Cheringham, distinguished for his knowledge of the French language, and the services he had performed for the India Company, was the translator of the Ezour Vedam, and he appears to have believed it an authentic work. M. Anquetil du Perron was of the same opinion. M. Sonnerat, however, seems to have detected the error, and describes the Ezour Vedam as not genuine, but the composition of a missionary at Masulipa

tam, sous le manteau Brame. Mr Ellis has since ascertained that the original of this work still exists among the manuscripts in the possession of the Catholic missionaries at Pondicherry, which are understood to have belong ed to the society of Jesuits. Besides the Ezour Vedam, there were also among these manuscripts imitations of the other three Vedas, each of them in Sanscrit, in the Roman character, and in French. Mr Ellis enters into a philological investigation of the manuscripts, to shew that whether the author were a native or a European, the work must either have originated in the provinces of Bengal and Orissa, or have been composed by some one who had there learned the rudiments of the Sanscrit. He then gives a list of the manuscripts in the possession of the Catholic missionaries, and their contents. They are eight in number. One of them includes the divinity of Bramah, and asserts him to have been a man in all respects resembling other human beings. They are all intended to refute the doctrines, and shew the absurdity of the ceremo nies, inculcated by the Bramins. The native Christians at Pondicherry are of opinion, that they were written by Robertus de Nobilibus, a near relation of his Holiness Marcellus (the II. and the nephew of Cardinal Bellarmine, who founded the Madura mission, about the year 1620. This personage appears to be well known both to Hindoos and Christians, under the Sanscrit title of Tatwa bod'haswami; whose writings on polemical theology are said to resemble greatly the controversial parts of the Pseudo Vedas, discovered by Mr Ellis. That learned gentleman thinks it not improbable, that the substance of them, as they now exist, is from his pen; and that they consisted originally, like his works in Tamil, of detached treatises on va rious controversial points; and that some other hand has since arranged

them in their present form, imposed on them a false title, transcribed them into the Roman character, and translated them into French. It is said, however, that the manner, style, form, and substance, of the Pseudo Vedas do not bear the most distant resemblance to the writings whose titles they assume. Mr Ellis gives an elaborate analysis of the real Vedas, and compares them particularly with the forgeries. The whole scope of the Pseudo Vedas is evidently the destruction of the existing belief of the Hindoos, without regarding consequences, or caring whether a blank be substituted for it or not. The writings of Ram Mohun Roy seem to be precisely of the same tendency as the discussions of Robertus de Nobilibus. The mission of Madura appears to have been founded on the principle, of concealing from the natives the country of the missionaries, and imposing them on the people as belonging to the sacred tribe of the Bramins. Romaca Brahmana was the title they assumed; and this deception probably led to many more.

The paper of Mr Ellis, of which we have given this imperfect report, displays a profound knowledge of Sanscrit literature, and will be read with peculiar interest by the oriental scholar.

The same intelligent writer has transmitted to the society, his able dissertation on the Malayalma language, which is spoken in the southern provinces of Travancore.

October 1st.-An account of an extensive cavern, containing the remains of a colossal statue, recently discovered in the mountains in the vicinity of Shapoor, in the modern province of Fars, (the ancient Persis,) was receiv ed from Lieutenant R. Taylor, of the Bombay establishment, and presented by the secretary to the Society.

In September, 1816, Mr Williams

and Captain Maude, of his Majesty's ship Favourite, on visiting the site of the ancient city of Shapoor, accompanied by Meer Shumsoodeen, a predatory chieftain, the cave, containing a prostrate colossal figure, was pointed out by the latter, who, from his plundering mode of life, had become well acquainted with the hidden recesses of the mountains. The cave is distant from Shapoor three miles, on the opposite side of the river. From the base of the mountain, near the summit of which the excavation is made, no traces of a cavern are discernible. The ascent is difficult, chiefly from its perpendicular height. When the travellers had nearly reached the top, they found themselves at the foot of an abrupt rampart, about thirty feet high, the depth of which, from its upper edge to the entrance of the cave, to which it forms a level landing, was sixty feet. The entrance to the cavern is a plain, roughly hewn arch, three feet high, and thirty-five feet wide, beyond which the height increases to forty feet, and the width to sixty and seventy. The figure, which is of stone, appears to have stood originally on a pedestal in the middle of this excavation, but was discovered ly. ing on the ground, and the legs, below the knees, broken off. The costume appears to be similar to the sculp. tures at Shapoor, Nukshi, Roostum, and Persepolis, and with the same luxuriant flow of curled hair. Its arms rest upon the hips, and the costume is a robe, fastened by a small button at the neck, and falling loosely over the elbows, and in this respect differs from the sculptures just mentioned. The length of the face, from the forehead to the chin, is two feet three inches; and the whole length of the body four feet and a half. According to this measurement, the whole figure must have been about fourteen feet high.

VOL. XI. PART II.

From the statue, to the most retired parts of the cavern, the excavation increases in height and width. After passing down an inclined plane for about twenty feet, and up an ascent of about fifty feet more, the travellers reached a dry reservoir, seventeen feet by seven wide, and five feet deep. Farther on, they began to descend, by torch light, a long narrow passage in the rock, and reached another cavern, the roof of which was supported by a few huge shapeless pillars.

No conjecture is offered respecting the use or object of this extraordinary excavation.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1818, was held, a meeting of this Society, at which the Lord Bishop presided.

Among other things a letter from M. Cuvier, secretary to the Academy of Sciences at Paris, was read, introducing, in the name of that Institution, M. Diard to the Asiatic Society. That gentleman is a corresponding member of the Royal Museum of Natural History. Several works, also, were received.

The

Dr Wallich favoured the Society with some samples of paper made of the bark of the paper-shrub, a species of Daphne, and probably the same that is described by Father Lauriero, in his Flora of Cochin-China. paper manufactured from this substance is extremely cheap and durable. It is said to be particularly calculated for cartridges, being strong, tough, not liable to crack or break however much bent or folded, proof against being moth-eaten, and not in the least subject to dampness from any change in the weather. If kept in water for any considerable time, it will not rot; and is invariably used all over Kemaoon, and in great request in many parts of the plains, for the purpose of writing genealogical records, deeds, &c. The method of preparing the

I

paper is extremely simple. The external surface of the bark being scraped off, that which remains is boiled in clean water, with a small quantity of the ashes of the oak, which whitens the material. It is then washed, beat to a pulp, and, after being mixed up with the fairest water, is spread on moulds, of frames made of common bamboo mats.

Besides these, Dr Wallich presented to the Museum a specimen of the Bhojputtra of the natives, being the outer rind of a new species of birch. It is much used in the mountainous countries to the north for writing upon, particularly by the religious. On one of the pieces was a letter written by the Rawal, head-priest of Kiddernath, a temple on one of the mountains of the Himulayah, and a great place of Hindoo pilgrimage.

For these specimens Dr Wallich was indebted to the liberality and kindness of the Hon. E. Gardner, resident at Katmandoo, who has already enriched the botanic garden with many valuable vegetable productions of Nepaul.

Dr Wallich is superintendant of the botanic gardens. He also transmitted drawings of other plants.

A letter was read from a new institution, called the Société Polytechnique of the Island of Bourbon, desiring to establish a correspondence with the Asiatic Society.

A letter was read from Mr Thomson, late private secretary to the Marquis of Hastings, dated Calicut, Nov. 3d, 1817, transmitting to the Society drawings of the Cobra Manilla, and two sorts of sea snakes.

It is said, that the Cobra Manillo is known on the Malabar coast as the bangle snake; and this name is a translation of Wala Caripan, which, in the Malabar language, signifies the deadly bangle, or bracelet. It has two fang teeth, exactly like those of the Cobra

Capella, and its bite is reckoned equally dangerous. The length varies from six to twelve or fourteen inches; but the female, although rather larger, has less brilliant colours than the male.

Mr Thomson, during his residence in Bengal and the Upper Provinces, has tried without success to obtain the snake called Cobra Manilla. He observes, that the late General Gillespie received the bite of this serpent when he was plucking a peach; and, in two or three minutes afterwards, lost all sensation. The last thing he recollected was some persons calling out for eau de luce; which, applied very copiously, both internally and externally, he believed, saved his life, but he add. ed, that his constitution was not fully restored in two or three years.

Mr Thomson, during his stay at Calicut, accidentally discovered a species of silk worm, which feeds on the leaves of the wild mango tree. Among the caterpillars he collected, for the purpose of obtaining butterflies, were some about the size of a man's little finger, with heads and tails of the colour of bright coral, and bodies covered with silvery hairs rising from a black skin. They soon left off feeding, and became restless, endeavouring to crawl up the sides of the glass shade under which they were placed. The motion of their heads from side to side was constant and regular; and Mr Thomson at length found, that they had constructed ladders of most imperceptible threads, and, when furnished with dry twigs, they began to form their pods. The quality of the silk is coarser than that of Bengal, which may proceed from the nature of their food, as mulberry trees are not found in the neighbourhood of Calicut.

Drawings of the male and female silk-moth accompanied this communication.