"A trip to the Sewáliks, near the Pinjore valley, lately, has introduced us to the Anoplotherium ?* in a perfect line of six molars on one side, and four ditto in the other side of upper jaw. I say Anoplotherium, for the rear molars have the distinguishing mark in the insulated mamilla pointed out by CUVIERT, as that which distinguishes the Anoplotherium from the Palæotherium, although the position of the molar bone, part of which is distinguishable, appears to differ from that of the former animal, and gives it a greater resemblance to the Palæotherium; this is a beautiful fossil, and dug out: but I must give you a history of the last week.

"I had to visit Dádupur on canal matters, and found both BAKER and DURAND as eager as myself for a short excursion into the Sewáliks; and as all our parties were out, we determined on visiting those most westerly, who were working at a village called Moginund (a common name apparently) in the Ramgurh district, about 50 miles W. of Dádupur: our route took us through Sidaura, Naraingurh, Mír ká Gurhi, Ramgurh, to the village of Moginund, which lies in a nook of these little hills, open only on the west: here we remained three days, returning to Dádupur by regular marches, and visiting Khet Púrali, another little, village close under the hills on our way, as near this village is a stratum of a clay conglomerate, or marl full of testaceous remains chiefly Bivalves (varieties of Unio,) reptiles, and fish; of the former, you have already specimens, and with the latter, you shall be provided in due course. The country on this route was open and well cultivated, rice in great abundance, and cultivation of all sorts up to the foot of the hills. These hills differ much in appearance from those between the Jamna and Ganges; the abruptly scarped precipices, and mural cliffs, with the huge strata of shingle, are here replaced by a comparatively low series of undulating hills, consisting of an eternal succession of sands and clays, with here and there beds of a coarse sandstone, or fine shingle conglomerate, accessible at all points excepting those where slips have taken place, and free from jungle and high vegetation, excepting in hollows, and the lines of ravines skirting the tributaries to the main outlets of drainage.

"The hills were covered with fossils like all the others (how they could have escaped observation before, must remain a source of wonder). Mastodons and hippopotamus's remains looking one in the face at every step! Amongst the remains collected were those of the rat and porcupine, too perfect to admit of any doubt. The specimens of each consisting of the palate, with the two lines of molars!!! Although three days at this place, and superintending my digging parties, I must confess my inability to decide strictly whether we were working in a stratum or in debris: this may appear strange to a person who has been unaccustomed to examine and decide on the position of strata, but will be understood and appreciated I imagine by any one who has had his attention strictly brought to bear upon the point. Shrubs, inequalities of surface, ravines, et hoc genus omne, all and each of them battling every inch! I am however inclined to consider that we had both, and that we were working in both a soft sandstone stratum, and also in a superficial coating of debris. A great number of perfect bones, the whole series of a leg for instance, jaw bones, and other remains were fairly found and dug out from the rock; at other places, huge masses of hard rock were found imbedded in the softer rock or soil, the said masses consisting in most cases of agglutinated bones: the shape of these masses give an appearance of their having fallen formerly from some parent rock, and being now found as debris; but the circumstance of finding the connected joints of animals is altogether in favor of the excavation being in the stratum in which they were originally deposited. The question does not appear to me of much consequence, as the bones are not rounded by attrition, and are as sharp and perfect in their form and outline, as when belonging to the living animal, although frequently broken, and jammed together, as would be the case in a skeleton or a mass of bones being forced together in an upheavement of the country upon which or in which they were collected.

"I may remark that our excavation was not on the outcrop of the strata, but in the slope, and the working parties were successful in their operations at many points on the whole surface of that side of the mountain. This deposit appears to be altogether wanting in the mastodons, reptiles, and hippopotami: the remains at present dug out consist of portions of anoplotherium or palæotherium, rhinoceros, hog, horse, ruminants of the most gigantic dimensions, with those of the smaller classes, carnivora, hyæna, canis, tiger (or lion), and a small species of a feline animal, a very perfect cranium of which is in the possession of Lieuts. DURAND and BAKER. Many

*This fossil is either the Anoplotherium, or a new variety of the Palæotherium, and if it was not for the insulated mamilla, referred to, its classification amongst the latter genera would, I suspect, be undoubtedly correct. The discovery of more perfect remains of the head, will settle this point at once.

† Volume iii. p. 21, Ossemens fossiles,

of the bones of these animals are coming out perfect, and some have been found, as I before mentioned, in connected joints!

"With reference to the Sivat herium, I regretted much my inability to obtain the dimensions of one of the most superb fossils, I suppose that ever was found; it was unfortunately discovered and excavated by a party of work-people employed by a gentleman with whom I was unacquainted, and although I saw the fossil when in the rock, I was prevented from getting the measurements afterwards. This specimen consisted of the femur and tibia, with the tarsal, metatarsal, and phalanges of one of these gigantic ruminants that time and patience will and must introduce us to! In the bones of all the animals discovered, there are differences from those of their existing congeners that will be pointed out hereafter ; it may be sufficient here to advert to the fact. The teeth that are found at this spot are beautifully perfect, and from the softness of the matrix or rock in which they are imbedded, easily cleared and exhibited. There is an evident grouping of animals throughout! The hippopotami, mastodons, &c. which in some localities are in such abundance, are in others wanting; their place being occupied by carnivora, ruminants, &c. The testaceous remains as yet found have been accompanied by reptiles and fish. We have in fact an extended tract of country upheaved, and the different groups as might be expected in their natural habitats!! It is hardly a month since I attempted, in a note on the Gavial of these hills, to enumerate the probable proportions of animals that existed on this tract! During this short period, we have added another family, Rodentia, to our catalogue, and another genus of the Pachydermata, besides the splendid additions to our former list in the further elucidation of those already found, in the discovery of more perfect specimens of bone, especially of the horse, rhinoceros, and the larger ruminants!! You will join with me in an exclamation, which has been upon my lips, day after day, since the discovery of the first fragment of bone-' What shall we have next?'"'

1. A small, but splendid, collection of stuffed birds, presented by Captain PEMBERTON.

As they were received only the same morning, the Curator deferred his report until the next meeting.

2. A species of Pteromys, presented by Captain DAVIDSON, from Goalparah, Assam.

3. A collection of Mammalia and Birds from Goalparah, Assam, presented by Dr. McCоsн. The collection consists of the following specimens:

1.-Mungusta Mongoz.

Mammalia.

2.-Pteromys.

3.-Turdus Saluaris.

4.-Oriolus Melanocephalus.

5.-Eudynamys Orientalis.

6.-Buceros Homrai.

7.-Buceros Malabaricus.

8.-Garrulus Bengalensis.

9.-Polypleitron Hardwickii.

10.-Phasianus Gallus-2 male and 1 female specimens.

11.-Phasianus Lineatus.

12.-Gallinale Porphyris.

13.-Fuligula Caryophyllacea.

:

The Buceros Homrai is considerably larger than the one described by Mr. HODGSON in the 2nd part, 18th vol. Researches of the Asiatic Society. From tip of the bill to tip of the tail, Dr. McCosн's specimen measures five feet two inches; that of Mr. HODGSON'S is only four feet 5 inches in length and by comparing the bill and casque with two of the Nipal bird, in the cabinet of the Curator, the inferior size of the latter is very apparent. There is, belonging to Captain PEMBERTON, a specimen now upon the table, of the bill and casque of the same bird, from Chittagong, even larger in size than that from Assam.-CUR.

Register
Thermometer

Extremes.

,697 1,129 82,7 3,8 3,898,704,572

,883

80,0 9,4

75,0

113,7

N.

N.

do

JOURNAL

OF

THE ASIATIC SOCIETY.

No. 47.-November, 1835.

I.-Notes taken by Captain C. M. WADE, Political Agent at Ludiána, in 1829, relative to the Territory and Government of Iskárdoh, from information given by CHARÁGH ALI, an agent who was deputed to him in that year by AHMAD SHÁн, the Gelpo or ruler of that country.

[Read at the Meeting of the 4th November.]

[In publishing the accompanying memoir, we have purposely not availed ourselves of the permission given us by the author, to omit the copies of his correspondence with the Gelpo of Iskárdoh, because the dates of these letters establish the fact of Captain WADE's attention having been drawn to the traditionary history of this place in 1829, previous to the information acquired in Lieut. BURNES' travels that appeared in our second volume. In 1831, Captain WADE urged M. JAQUEMONT to push his way into little Tibet, as may be seen by a remark in his letters, and the deputation from the ruler of Iskárdoh therein described, consisted of the same individuals whom our author interrogated at Ludiána. Mr. VIGNE, an English traveller, is now on his way to little Tibet, and will doubtless clear up the important question suggested to the native ruler by MOORCROFT, whose own papers probably contain some speculations on the subject. (See also CSOMA DE KÖRÖS's note on the geography of Tibet, J. A. S. vol. i. 121, and BURNES' note, ii. 306.)—ED.]

PRELIMINARY CORRESPONDENCE.

From AHMAD SHA'н, the Gelpo or ruler of Iskárdoh (capital of little Tibet), to Captain C. M. WADE, Political agent at Ludiána.

After Compliments,

Sometime ago Mr. MOORCROFT came towards my country*, and by his friendly disposition and great kindness, sowed the seeds of a lasting friendship in my heart.

Adverting to the general rule and practice which the English observe of making a friend of every stranger, and that, please God, they will never alienate themselves from one with whom they are already connected; on hearing the news of your auspicious approach (Captain WADE's first mission to the Panjáb in 1827, from Earl AMHERST, the Governor General of India,) I wrote to you and sent you a message; but my letter was intercepted on the way by my enemies, and prevented from reaching ite destinationt.

* Mr. MOORCROFT opened a correspondence with AHMAD SHA'н from Ladákh, but did not visit Iskárdoh.

+ The letter of which a translation is now given was brought by way of Kolu. It was folded in the size and shape of a rupee, and was enclosed in a piece of leather and worn as an armlet to elude discovery; the Sikhs and the people of Ladakh both

Several letters addressed to me by Mr. MOORCROFT, are in my possession, and I bear his communications in my mind. I would send you one of his letters, but I regard them as sacred relics, and do not like to part with any one of them, lest it might fall into the hands of malevolent enemies on the way. The follow"It is ing is a passage from one of the letters which I received from him: supposed that ALEXANDER the GREAT came to Iskandaria, and that some vestige of him is still to be found there. In that event, is it in the form of arms or weapons, or books; and if books, are they in the Persian or Grecian language*." He gave me at the same time some kind and considerate counsels. I was not then aware of any vestiges, and Mr. MOORCROFT departed on his journey. After some research I have ascertained that there is a part of the foundation of an old dilapidated fort, which was destroyed by fire. If there should be any thing, it will probably be found beneath these ruins. God knows. Let me recommend you therefore to depute an intelligent gentleman of your own tribe, who will be able to satisfy himself by personal inquiry on every subject, as well as on the existence or otherwise of the Macedonian relics that are supposed to be here.

There was a report, that Mr. MOORCROFT was desirous of finding a way to Yarqand; but his scheme was frustrated by the intrigues of the people of Ladakh. If you have the same design, there is a passage to Yarqand through my country, which is available to you if you please. Consider my humble roof as your own.

Do not fail to despatch some one on your part. I am anxiously waiting to receive him. Although it is like the ant preferring a petition to SOLAIMAN, there is no impropriety in making an application, and I trust that you will not withdraw your hand from the request of the petitioner.

I suspect that some vestiges of ALEXANDER the GREAT are likely to be discovered beneath the foundation; but God knows whether there are any or not. From Captain WADE to AHMAD SHA'н, dated the 22nd of August, 1829.

After Compliments,

I have been delighted by the receipt of your friendly letter, transmitted by the hand of CHARA'GH ALI SHA'H, your agent. The perusal of it afforded me the highest gratification in the glad tidings that it conveyed of your health and happiness. What you write regarding the journey of Mr. MoORCROFT in your direction, and that he cultivated amicable relations with you, is very intelligible. It is the duty of the officers of the British Government to consider those who are well affected towards them as their sincere friends, and to attach them by daily increasing ties of unity and friendship.

As I have been engaged on a journey (to Delhi), the dismission of your agent has been delayed. I now take the first opportunity of giving him his leave to return. On his arrival in your presence, he will communicate to you the sentiments of esteem and regard which you have established in my heart. Considering me among your well wishers, continue to delight me often by the receipt of your friendly letters.

After Compliments,

From AHMAD SHA'H to Captain WADE.

Praise be to God, that by the blessing of his infinite favour, the garden of friendship and unity, watered by his mercy and bounty, is blooming between us, loaded with fragrance and joy.

I offer thanks to the Almighty, that I have had the pleasure to receive your propitious letter by the arrival of my agent CHARA'GH ALI; adverting to the gratifying expressions contained in it, that, it is the rule of the British nation being supposed to be jealous of the writer's design. There is enmity between AHMAD SHA'H and the chief of Ladakh, and the presence of the Sikhs in Kashmír renders it difficult to maintain a communication by that route without their knowledge.

* AHMAD SHA'H's agent informed me, that there was a book in his master's possession in a character which no one could read. He described it to be bound in a clasp cover. It is probable, that this book is a Latin Bible, left by some of the Jesuits who visited this part of Asia in the 15th century, and not of any Grecian origin.