Wm. Bennett, Esq. (late of Demerara), proposed 3d.-The Society reserves to itself the right of reby Dr. W. G. Maxwell, and seconded by the secretary.jection, without assigning any reason, restoring, of Wm. Agnew, Esq. proposed by Dr. W. G. Maxwell, course, any treatise so rejected to the author. and seconded by the secretary. 4th. The Society likewise to have the privilege of Muneeram Bur Bahadoor, proposed by Capt. F. dividing the pecuniary reward allotted to any one subJenkins, and seconded by Dr. Wallich. Robert Campbell Esq., proposed by D. W. H. Speed, Esq., and seconded by the secretary. ject between two or more competitors, who may be deemed to have equal claims to it, in which case the reward is to be computed at the maximum rate (of 2,000 rupees) and the gold medal presented to each of the candidates. Motion, No. 2.-Proposed by Dr. Wallich, seconded by Mr. Bell, that a reward of ten rupees be given to Andrew Sym, Esq, proposed by A. Colvin, Esq., Mr. N. Alexander's gardener for producing such fine and seconded by the secretary. artichokes. Lieut. J. G. Gerrard (European regiment), proprosed by C. K. Robison, Esq. and seconded by W. K. Ewart, Esq. John Guilding, Esq. (late of St. Vincent's), proposed by the secretary and seconded by R. Watson, Esq. G. C. Richardson, Esq. (late of Jamaica), proposed by the secretary and seconded by C. Dearie, Esq. REPORTS. Read committee's report on samples of cotton sent by Lieut. Burneh, of Mhairwarrah, on the part of Capt. Dixon. A sample from R. Davidson, Esq., the produce of the same place. Referred to the committee of papers for publication. Read report of the proceedings of the cattle committee, on the motion of the president made at last meeting. The secretary had printed all the information already collected, and had sent copies to parties named in the report and to many others. Resolved, that the replies when received be handed over to the committee for consideration and publication, if necessary, for the information of the Royal Asiatic Society. Motions of which notice was given at last general meeting disposed of, viz. Nos. 1 and 2 carried. NOTICES OF MOTION. Motion, No. 3.-Proposed by the secretary, seconded by Dr. Wallich, that a reward of five rupees be given to Mr. E. Preston's gardener for producing such fine parsnips. Memo. Both the artichokes and parsnips were highly approved of at the meeting. From Dr. Wallich, dated 13th March, forwarding a small sample of indigo, sent down by Capt. Jenkins, manufactured in Assam by Mr. Grose, from a plant closely allied to the Ruellia plant. From W. F. Fergusson, Esq., extract from a letter to the secretary, dated 7th April, presenting a small bag of indigo seed, gathered by Dr. Campbell on the banks of the Nile. Dr. Campbell describes the leaves of the plant as larger and looking richer than those of this country. From Capt. Bogle, dated Akyab, March 8th, advising despatch of a sample of salt, together with several specimens of caoutchouc collected in the neighbourhood. Promising to forward specimens of the several varieof cotton, paddy, &c. seed. ties of timber common in the district. Asks for supplies their garden at that station from seed supplied by this Society. Asking for copies of the Society's transactions. From the same, dated March 31st, intimating the despatch of cotton which was delayed, owing to the se cretary being ill. No. 1.-Proposed by Dr. Wallich, seconded by Dr. From H. Cope, Esq., secretary Agricultural Society Spry, That, with a view to the advancement of agri- of Meerut, dated March 11th, advising despatch of samcultural knowledge and the development of the re-ples of Upland Georgia, Egyptian, &c. cotton reared in sources of British India, it appears desirable to extend the list of rewards and prizes already held out by the Society, by adding a number of others of a more specific nature, and that a pecuniary reward, not exceeding 2,000 rupees, nor less than 1,000 rupees, and the Society's gold medal, be awarded to the best practical agricultural treatise, founded on local experience, on any of the undermentioned subjects, vis, cereal grains, sugar, cotton, indigo, silk, tobacco, coffee, and dyes generally; to these may, perhaps, be added vegetable fibre gums and extracts and resinous substances, oils, eaoutchouc, cochineal, with some modifications. "The conditions of the above rewards will, of course, have to be considered hereafter in detail, it may not, however, be out of place to submit the following outline of them." 1st.-As to the time in which the treatises are to be sent in. From Monsieur Perottet to Dr. Wallich, dated Kaitee, Neilgherries, March 16. Monsieur Perottet, who has published a treatise on the wild cochineal, assures Dr. Wallieb, that the insect sent by Monsieur Richard to this society, is really the fine cochineal, called " Mesteque" or grana fina, and that the plant on which the insect arrived, is the true "Napal of the Castalians." Monsieur P. saw both at Bourbon, on his way to India, and begged of Mr. Richard to forward a small supply to him at Pondicherry, but they arrived when he was in the Neilgherries, and the native gardeners to 2d.-The successful treatise to be the property of So-whom they were entrusted allowed both the insect and ciety, unless the author engages to publish in this counplant to die. try within months, or in England withinwith an agreement to provide the Society, at cost price, with any number that may be required, of which timely ; Monsieur Perottet refers Dr. Wallich to Monsr. Delissert, a naturalist, for a corroboration of his perfect conviction, which he says, admits of no doubt, as to the From Dr. Wallich, dated 23d March, forwarded for presentation to the society, on behalf of Captain Jenkins, a specimen of a sort of hemp called " Rheea," and a specimen of Indian corn grown by the Merts. From the same, dated April 4th, presenting, in the name of Captain Jenkins, a copy of the fifth report of the Hon'ble Society of Cornwall, and a copy of the proceedings of the annual meeting of 1837, of the Royal Institution of Cornwall. From Mr. Waghorn, a case of Egyptian cotton seed, referred to in his letter to the Society of the 22d October, 1837. N. B.-The produce of former supplies from Mr. Waghorn, having been favorably reported upon, and mistaken in one or two instances for Sea Island cotton, by good judges, those disposed to cultivate this cotton, are recommended to make early application. From W. A. Harris, a small quantity of cotton seed. The American plough, so much spoken of at Bombay, and of which a model had been received, together with three spare shares and iron work complete, excepting From the same, dated March 15th, enclosing a let-grown in the Soonderbuns, said to be from Sea Island ter from Lieutenant Brown, forwarding a further supply of 900 Otaheite canes, from Major Sleeman's plantation at Jubbulpore. Annexing Mr. Master's report on the canes, shewing that they were all in excellent condition. From Major Archer to Dr. Wallich, dated Bourbon, forwarding four cases containing sugar-cane tops. From Mr. C. N. Vallet, dated Cape Town, January 16th, in reply to secretary's letter of the 16th October last, on the subject of the society's annual indent for seeds, promises to forward the quantity ordered, so as to reach Calcutta by the middle of August. From B. Hodgson Esq., dated Napal, March 13th, offering to forward a supply of red and white clonen seed, and asking for some fresh European vegetable seeds. From Major Moore, dated Hyderabad, March 12th, advising despatch of four potatoes produced in his garden. From R. Smith, Esq., dated March 22d, offering a few remarks on the domestication of the wild honey bee. From H. Pidlington, Esq, dated March 26th, forwarding for distribution a small quantity of dolichos, asparagus, beans. From W. Brockman, Esq., dated Calcutta, March 28th, acknowledging receipt of seeds and the transactions of the society, and promising to be the medium of opening a correspondence between the Western Australian Agricultural Society and this institution. From J. Vaughan, Esq., librarian of the American Philosophical Society, dated Philadelphia, October 13th, 1837, transmitting a copy of Part 2d, vol. 4th transactions of that society. From Mr. Masters, forwarding ten seers of Egyptian cotton seed, and a quantity of Sorghum vulgares, and Persian tomato seeds, grown in the Society's nursery. From the same, dated April 7th, enclosing a paper containing some remarks on the propagation of plants. the wood work. The secretary had, with the concurrence of the agri. cultural Committee, disposed of two of these shares to Messrs. Lyall, Matheson and Co. for prime cost and charges, and had but the complete plough, as a pattern for the wood part, one share remains at disposal. As Mr. Harris expressed a wish to make a trial of the complete plough, it was proposed by Dr. Wallich, seconded by the secretary and resolved, that the plough should be placed at Mr. Harris' disposal, on that gentleman engaging to give the Society the result of the trial. Mr. N. Alexander submitted some very fine specimens of artichokes, produced in his garden. Proposed by Dr. Wallich, seconded by Mr. Cracroft, with a memorandum as to the mode used by him in culthat Mr. Alexander be solicited to favour the society, tivating his artichokes. nips, produced in his garden from Cape seed. half of Lieut. Wemys, of the Assam local battalion. Read a note from Mr. Ridsdale, superintendent of the Bishop's College Press, enclosing an estimate of the expense of printing the society's transactions. Resolved, that the secretary on reference to Mr. Thomas' terms of printing, be requested to treat further on the subject; and that the secretary shall make such arrangements with either Press, as he may deem judicious. The secretary brought to the notice of the meeting, the suggestion which had been made by him to the committee of papers, in December last (vide appendix From J. C. Marshman. Esq., dated Serampore, vol. 5, page 106), and which had not yet been sancMarch 23d, stating his inability from untoward circum-tioned, viz. to have the monthly proceedings as pubstances, to continue the publication of the Society's transactions. lished in the papers, circulated in the shape of a pamphlet, to corresponding and all similar institutions to From the Rev. J. Thomas, superintendent of the members generally, and all others who take an interest Baptist Mission Press, to the secretary, dated March in the objects of this Society. The secretary had al27th, expressing his willingness to undertake the print-ready printed the proceedings of January, February and ing of the Society's transactions at a certain rate. March, and now with reference to Mr. Marshman's estimate of the charge, wished the society to sanction the expense, as it would be the means of maintaining a constant and regular source of information. Capt. Hullock, of the Donna Pascoa, presented twelve casks and nine half casks of sugar-cane tops, which he brought from the Mauritius, but which excepting a few in the half casks, were all dead. From lieut. Vetch, a chest containing caoutchouc, which comprised the condition of awarding the gold medal to that gentleman. From Capt. H. J. Wood, samples of wool of the Jeypoor sheep. From Dr. Campbell, a box coutaining a variety of agricultural productions of the valley of Nepal, adverted to in his letter of the 28th January. Frome Jr. Marcus, Esq., a sample of wild cochineal collected by him in 1837, and a supply of roosa, grass The president observed, that this ought to be a regular motion, but, as the utility of the measure would be apparent to all, and the expense so trifling, he thought, if no objection was taken to it, the present meeting might dispose of the question to enable the secretary to print off the proceeding without delay. Resolved nem. con. The thanks of the society were ordered to be offered for all the foregoing communications and presentations. JOHN BELL, Secretary. Agricul. Society Office, Town-Hall, } Calcutta, April 11, 1838. THE STORM ON THE EIGHTH APRIL. We have been very credibly informed, that the loss of, boatmen became victims from the fall of the timbe life and property by this storm was very great. The loss depôts on them, and the labourers who felt their habitastated at Kootghutta is above 250 lives, and all the waytions insecure, fell dead under the shower of hail. Those up the injuries have been of a dreadful nature. At Bycant who escaped into houses met with a similar fate. Among topore and on to Ramnaghur in the 24-Pergunnahs the vil-the greatest pecuniary native sufferers are Buxoo, mistry, lages have been laid desolate, as more than 2,000 huts Ramchand Oully and Seebnath, buttachargee, to the and several brick built houses have been levelled to the amount of upwards of 30,000 rupees. The petty mahuground, burying under them from 3 to 4 lives each, on juns are left pennyless. Mr. G. Prinsep is, we also an average, a few of whom only lived to relate the fate hear, a considerable loser. of the other sufferers. Trees of 30, or 40 years' standing are now lying on the soil that once supported them. From the canal several large boats were raised to a height of about 30 feet and left on high land. Thegolah 80 feet long. In the Sunderbuns the loss has not been less great, from one quarter we heard of the destruction of a grain FEARFUL LOSS OF LIFE. We are just informed that 2 more villages of great extent at Gurreeah and Putterghuttah, in the 24-Pergunnahs, have suffered more than the rest, men, women, and children have died without number and so has cattle of every description. Puckah houses and trees, have been torn up by their roots; as for huts, it would be impossible to count their number. The worthy magistrate of the 24-Pergunnahs have issued every instruction in his power for the relief of such as are left to tell the sufferings of their neighbours. Mr. Flood, the Supervisor, and his son, the Clerk attached to the magistracy, with a native doctor, have been sent to the spot to render every possible relief, and send on as many as possible to the Allipore Hospital. The removal of the dead, we are informed, will be attended with difficulty, as the number is great. Mr. Patton is now exerting all the aid within his jurisdiction to make the relief as prompt as possible. We trust his exertions will be useful, as we suppose they will be. We know the local subordinate authorities will see that there is no excuse and will answer with him in this case; he ought to direct, all the European officers to the different divisions and desire them to represent every instance of procrastination as well as neglect. The joint magistrate of Barraset and the chief magistrate of Calcutta ought also to send out as much assistance as they have available, no time is to be lost in a cause so near us, and so much within our means to alleviate to the best of our power.-Hurk, April 13. BENGAL MEDICAL RETIRING FUND. Proceedings of the Second Quarterly General Meeting for 1838, of Subscribers to the "Bengal Medical Retiring Fund. At a quarterly general meeting of subscribers to the "Bengal Medical Retiring Fund," held at the Town Hall, Calcutta, at 4 o'clock P. M., on Monday the 9th April 1838, agreeably to section xix. of the Fund Deed, Present, Jas. Gregory Vos, Esq., M. D., in the Chair, Frederick Corbyn, Garrison Surgeon, Fort William Alexander Garden, M. D., Presidency Surgeon; H. S. Mercer, Marine Surgeon; John Grant, Apothecary to E. I. C.; Walter Raleigh, Assist. Genl. Hospital; H. H. Spry, M. D., Offg. Gar. Asst. Surgeon; and John Arnott, M. D. Assist. Surgeon. The secretary read the proceedings of the last quarter. ly general meeting, and the following report of the proceedings of the committee of management during the last quarter. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Medical Retiring Fund Office, 9th April 1838. The retirement from the service from the 1st March 1838, of Surgeon Thomas Munro, M. D., hav. ing been announced in Government general orders, dated 26th February 1838, he has been admitted to the 5th annuity for 1838 from the date of retirement. His Since the last quarterly general meeting the prescrib. ed affidavit of age from Mr. Superintending Surgeon Geo. Gunning Campbell having been furnished, and his retirement from the service announced in Government general orders date 12th March, ultimo, he has been admitted to the 6th annuity for 1833 from date of the general order. This gentleman's annuity is also payable by the fund agents in London. Mr. Surgeon John Turner (whose application for admission as a subscriber was circulated for the votes of the subscribers with the secretary's letter of the 23d December last) having been admitted by a majority of votes of 127 (8 being against his admission) declared his intention to accept the only remaining annuity refer red to in the committee's last quarterly report (para. 8th), and his retirement from the service from the 1st March 1838, having been announced in Government general order dated 12th March, ultimo, he was admitted on the 1st annuity of 1834. This gentleman's annuity is payable from the treasury of the East India House. The committee of management beg to notice that the following investment of realizations since May 1837, has been made by the sub-treasurer of Gevernment in 6 per cent. Treasury notes under the orders of Government dated 20th February 1837, and the arrange ment communicated in the committee's quarterly report, scriptions of each year, without a separate permanent dated 10th April 1837. Treasury note No. 1, dated 1st May 1837, for Co.'s Rs 14,582 10 4 being amount of receipts during May 1837. 14,428 13 0 do. do. June. 9,572 12 0 do. do. July. 16,470 11 0 do. do. Aug. 16,991 7 0 do. do. Sept. 6,828 10 0 do. do. Oct. 10,190 3 2 do. do. Nov. " " No. 2,,, No. 3, " No. 4, No. 5, 1st June. 1st July, " 1st Aug., 1st Sept. » No. 6, 1st Oct. No. 7, 1st Nov. Esquires. 38 For H. H. Goodeve... 20 , J. Innes...... ,, B, Wilson 24 18 G. Angus.... Esquires. fund, are sufficient to continue from year to year the grant of 6 new annuities, besides maintaining the liabili ties for annuities already on the fund. Should it ap pear, on investigation, that the current subscriptions even at the maximum rate are insufficient to support this double liability, the actuary is required to suggest such modification as will, consistently with the principles and objects of the fund, make it equal to its engagement, and at the least possible cost to the subscribers, having in view that no gains are required beyond covering liabi lities, and meeting the expense of management. The present object of the fund, it will be seen, is, to give 6 annuities, and to grant to all annuities during life £300 chase the half value of such annuity, calculated at 6 per per annum, on their contributing, by subscription, or purration of human life at Northampton, according to Dr. cent. per annum according to the probabilities of the du Price's table. The current contributions, therefore, unaided by any accumulated capital, are not only to pro vide for six annuities, but to keep up, under provision of section xxxvii. of the fund-deed, an annual credit APPROPRIATED FUND," equal to the value of annuities at the ages of the existing annuitauts, according to the rates specified in table annexed to section xxiii. of the fund-deed. to All information as to the probability of human life in India can be readily obtained by reference to Mr. Christie, actuary of the London branch of the Universal Life Assurance Company, as that gentleman has recently prepared for that office tables of rates of premiums payable in India, from data obtained from Captain H. B. Heuderson's tables of mortality printed in the Asiatic Researches, volume XX., published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Rates of subscriptions to the fund not being regulated by age but from official rank, and standing in the gradation list of the medical service, the income of the fund can be determined by 11 ascertaining at the India-house what is the regulated complement of the medical service in each grade when It is understood that an augmentation of complete. the medical establishment is contemplated, and every information connected with such augmentation may be obtained by reference to the India-house, Leadenhallstreet, London. 13 15 55 The committee received a requisition from seven subThe majority of votes appearing in favour of Messrs. John Grant and C. C. Egerton, the first was declared scribers at Cawnpore, dated the 20th January last, sugelected, and the second re-elected as managers to fillgesting that the rates of subscription be raised to the existing vacancies. last. maximum amount, and subscribers in arrears called upon to liquidate. The requisitionists were informed in A majority of subscribers having declared for a refer-reply, that, as the cellections of the fund at the present rence to a professional actuary for opinion as to the basis rate of subscriptions with arrears under recovery, will of the fund calculations, Dr. A. R. Jackson (who has be sufficiently ample, it is expected to offer more than proceeded to England), has been empowered to consult the regulated number of annuities this year, and proone on his arrival in England, and furnished with a bill bably more than there will be applications for, as of exchange for £50 as the actuary's feet. The instruc-anticipation of the boon being granted induces some to tions furnished to Dr. Jackson are contained in the fol- defer acceptance of the annuity until result of the melowing resolution passed at the monthly meeting of the morial praying for the boon is definitively known, the committee of management, held on the 29th January committee did not deem it expedient immediately to raise the subscriptions. The present, however, would Resolved-That Dr. Jackson be furnished with a bill from maximum subscriptions, which whould go a great be a favorable opportunity to have an accumlated fund of exchange on London for £50, to defray expenses of the reference; that a printed copy of the original rules way to absorb the annuities now in arrear: but as the of the fund as drawn up by the central committee of committee conceive that the measure of raising the subAgra, and a copy of the same as revised by the comscription will not be generally acceptable, they feel mittee of management of Calcutta, as also a copy of the reluctant to adopt it, until the collection of arrears and fund-deed, together with a pamphlet containing Plans subscriptions fall short of the amount required to give and documents connected with the proposed Medical six annuities. Every exertion is making to collect the Fund published at Agra in 1832, by order of the central arrears due from subscribers, and the committee are committee," and a copy of the proceedings of the quar-happy to communicate that the call is readily reciproterly general meetings held on the 30th October last, cated to by those in arrear. and 8th January, instant, be put up under cover and delivered to Dr. Jackson. From these documents the Actuary will receive precise information as to the views and objects of establishing the Medical Retiring Fund, The following resolution fixing a graduated scale of penalty for all future admissions is now in circulation for the vote of subscribers. Resolved-That, as the admission from the medical Medical Retiring Fund so many years after its forma-1 Wallich and Mr. Burt, is as under : For Dr. Wallich... 95 For Mr. Burt..... 100 76 Majority for....... 87 tion, gives advantages to such new members over the scribers have been received from Assistant Surgeon T. During the past quarter applications to become subearlier, supporters or the fund, in having avoided the W. Burt, and Surgeons N. Wallich and James HutchinToutine risk incurred by the latter, all persons applying son, which are now in circulation for the votes of for admission as subscribers to the said fund, or who are subscribers. not actually subscribers this Wednesday, 28th February, 1838, shall, previously to their application for admission [in the conditions of section ii. of the fund-deed] being circulated for the votes of the subscribers resident in this country, pay as a penalty for the exclusive benefit of the fund [but to be re-paid to the applicant should he be rejected by a majority of votes] a sum of money equal to one moiety of his arrears of subscription, to be calcu Jated in the first instance from the 1st January 1833 to the date of his application, and on the second, from the date of his application to the date of his actual admission as a member, to be decided by the committee of management of the fund, after due examination of the votes of the members residing in India, such amount of penalty to be according to the rank of the applicant, as provided in section iv. of the fund-deed, or the annual sum according to the following table; and that such applicant or applicauts shall also pay the expense of printing and circulating the reference for his or their ad-ties granted annually from this fund be paid from the mission previous to the result of votes being declared. Annual penalty to be paid on admission reckoning from 1st January 1833 to date of admission: Members, or officiating members of the Medical Board. Co.'s Rs 768 0 Superintending surgeons, or officiating suptg. The committee have received intimation in officiating secretary Lieutenant Colonel Stuart's letter, dated the 12th ultimo, that the Hon. the Court of Directors, in their military letter, dated the 20th December last, three annuities of each year, payable through their home decline to depart from the rules limiting the number to treasury, in favor of the committee of management's request, preferred through the local Government on the 30th November, 1836, that payment of all sir annuiCompany's treasury in London, to obviate the necessity made arrangements with the house of Sir Charles of employing private agency. The committee have Cockerell, Bart. and Co. of London (who have been appointed agents of the fund as communicated in quarterly report of the 10th October 1836) to pay the remaining three annuities, so that no disappointment or irregularity in receipt of annuities shall occur to the annuitants, who will not receive their annuity at the India-house. Of the six annuities granted by this fund annually, those certificates numbered I to 3 each 640 year will be paid at the India-house, and those numbered 4 to 6 by the agents of the fund to London. 512 0 102 6 38 6 The following of the poll this day on the proceeding resolution is as follows: For..... Against .... Majority for the resolution.... 110 4 106 The sum of sicca rupees 87,048 0-0, or Co.'s Rs. 92,851-3-2 has been transferred since last quarterly meeting from credit of the fund to that of APPROPRIATED FUND under provision of section xxvii. of the fund-deel, being the value of the annuities granted to Superinten.iing Surgeon Geo. Gunning Campbell and Surgeons John Turner, and Thomas M. Munro, M. D. By order of the committee of management. GEO. HILL, Secretary, M. R. F. Resolved-That the report of the proceedings of the committee of management for the past quarter just read, be confirmed and adopted. Resolved-That in consequence of loss having accrued to the fund from difficulty of recovering arrears of subscriptions from the estate of lapsed members, the committee of management be requested to represent the matter to the Hon. the President of the Council of India in Council in the hope of the authority of Government being issued, authorizing pay-masters and other disburs The above gentlemen are accordingly elected subscri-ing officers to deduct monthly the amount of subscriptiens bers, making three admissions, including Mr. John Turner since admitted as an annuitant, during the past quarter as subscribers. There has been no accession of members during the last quarter by new arrivals from England. The committee announce the undermentioned casual. ties by death during the past quarter. List of casualties among members ascertained since last quarterly general meeting held on the 8th of January 1838. from the pay abstract of all subscribers to the fund in every case the same as is done in respect to the Orphan Fund subscription. Resolved-That as it appears that some few members of the Medical Service who, although they have intimated their desire to become members of the Medical Retiring Fund, have not formally signed the fund-deed either in person or by attorney, and have not continued the payment of the subscription, the secretary to the fund be directed to inform such gentlemen that the provisions of rule viii. will be strictly acted up in their case unless they immeWhere.diately sign the fund-deed, in due form, and continue their contribution to the fund. al name. 19th Feb. 1838 17th ler, M. D. March,, Dr. Grant submitted to the meeting a memorial that he had altered from one drawn up at Agra, reiterating the prayer of the medical service to the Hon'ble the Court of Directors of the East India Company that the |