ever, it is now greatly on the decline, especially in those parts of India under

the British government.

17th of December: the Right Hon. the Earl of Munster in the chair. Several donations to the library were presented.

Wm. Oliver, Esq., of the Madras Civil Service was elected a resident member. A dissertation on the antiquity of the Armenian language, by Isaac Aganoor, Esq., an Armenian gentleman, was read. This paper was communicated by the Bombay Branch R. A. S., and is illustrated with notes by the Secretary of that Society, Mr. T. M. Dickenson, of the Bombay army. The author, drawing his conclusions from the Scriptures, argues that the original language of Adam, preserved by Noah, and those of his descendants who settled in Armenia, in the land of Ararat, was the Armenian, and not the Hebrew, although the Jews are generally allowed to have established the strongest claims to their language being the primitive language of mankind. Among the proofs brought forward by the writer to maintain his position, is, that the names of several places in Armenia are significant of circumstances relating to early Scripture history, such as Arnohwote, which, in Armenian, signifies 'Noah placed his foot; and that this word is derived from Ar, 'placed;' Noh, 'Noah;' and wote, 'foot.' Again; in Genesis, ix. 26., it is written : "And Noah began to be a husbandman, and planted a vineyard." Now near Arnohwote is a place called Akhooree, which means, in Armenian, 'he planted a vineyard;' from Akh, 'he planted ;' and oor, 'vines.' In the same vicinity is another place, called Nakhijivan, which signifies 'first halting-place.' The confusion of tongues is generally allowed to have occurred in the second century after the deluge, which Noah survived 350 years. It is hardly to he supposed that he, to whom the Almighty had said, "Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation," should so soon afterwards have lapsed into rebellion against the Most High; and we may, therefore, suppose that the punishment of the wicked was not inflicted upon the "righteous" one, and that, therefore, the language of Noah, and those whose attendance on the venerable patriarch prevented them from following the migration to Shinar, was not affected by the confusion of Babel; and, consequently, that the ancient language of the antediluvians was preserved in Armenia; subject only to those partial changes which all languages undergo by time.

In further confirmation of his opinions, Mr. Aganoor remarks, that the Armenian tongue claims this peculiar distinction from its being the most perfect and beautiful of all languages; and he observes, that a native of Armenia, possessing a thorough knowledge of his mother tongue, has little difficulty in acquiring and pronouncing the words of any other language whatever.

Mr. Dickenson has appended some learned notes to this paper, which tend to corroborate the views of his author. He considers too, that the Armenian language has been greatly neglected and misrepresented, and that the accounts of the antients regarding it are very imperfect.

Another paper, on the application to India of the principles of Political Economy, as received in Europe, by W. C. Bruce, Esq., was read.

The next meeting was announced for the 7th of January next.

Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta,—At the meeting of the 4th June, a letter was read from Dr. Wallich, enclosing an extract from Royle's work on the Botany of the Himalaya Mountains, including some interesting remarks on the subject of materia medica, pointing out the importance of inquiries

* We regret to hear that Mr. Dickenson is recently deceased.

being made with the view of bringing to light the ample resources of this country in the production of medicinal articles, and strongly recommending the subject of the native materia medica to the notice of the medical officers in India. Dr. Wallich fully concurs in these remarks, and trusts that the Medical Society will use all its efforts to promote so desirable an object. He concludes, by offering his services in forwarding the views of the Society in this matter. The extract will be found at pages 275 and 276 of Dr. Royle's work. It contains also a short account of the genus colotropis or mudar, by which the abovementioned observations are preceded.

A paper on a human monstrosity, in the museum of the Medical College, by Dr. Goodeve, was read and discussed.

The monster, described by Dr. Goodeve, consists of two female children united together in the thorax and upper part of the abdomen, by a broad connection, extending from the sternum to the umbilicus. Below and above these two points, all is natural. There is only one perfect umbilical cord, but below that is seen another rudimental one, about an inch in length. The length of the whole monster is from fifteen to sixteen inches; circumference of the whole, eleven to twelve; circumference of connecting medium, nine to ten inches; weight, five pounds. On examining the internal structure, it was found that there is one thoracic and abdominal cavity common to both children; these cavities being divided from each other by a single diaphragm. The walls of the thorax are composed of a double set of ribs, with two sterni, one on the anterior, the other on the posterior part of the commissure. The abdominal muscles are likewise double. The abdominal and pelvic viscera of both children are perfect, with the exception of the liver. This organ appears to consist of two perfect livers, united together by their convex surfaces. This arrangement of the liver, of course, reverses completely the position of the abdominal viscera of the right child; indeed, the abdominal contents and the diaphragm are so placed, that they may be best understood by conceiving the viscera of one child reflected in a mirror to form the viscera of the other. In the thorax, a double set of lungs are seen, with only one heart common to both children. This, to a certain extent, is double, but very imperfectly so. There is one large auricular cavity on either side common to both right ventricles; the opening between their cavities is furnished with a valve, also common to both. From the right ventricle of the left side springs a pulmonary artery, but no similar vessel arises from the right side. The superior vena cava of both children empty themselves into a common right auricle. The latter cavity again communicates with a common left auricle, by an enormous foramen ovale unprovided with any valve. Into this common left auricle, one pulmonary vein from each child opens. The left auricle communicates with two separate left ventricles. Indeed, there appears to be one common opening between all the cavities of the heart, and the blood must have flowed through them in every direction. From each left ventricle arises a perfect aorta, on the left side, communicating with the pulmonary artery, by the ductus arteriorus. On the right side, the ductus arteriorus forms the pulmonary artery, and is continued to the lungs of the right child. There is a thymus gland common to both children. This monster is said to have lived for three or four hours after birth, but it is difficult to conceive this possible. The arrangement of the heart was such, that it would seem the creature must have been instantaneously asphyxiated as soon as respiration became necessary.

Asiat.Journ.N.S.VOL.22.No. 85.

M

VARIETIES.

Parliamentary Properties of the Elephant.-Lord Coke (4 Inst.), citing a Roll of Parl. 3 Hen. vi. n. 3, says: "It appeareth in a Parliament Roll, that the Parliament being, as hath been said, called Commune Concilium, every member of the house being a councillor, should have three properties of the elephant; first, that he hath no gall; secondly, that he is inflexible, and cannot bow; thirdly, that he is of a most ripe and perfect memory; which properties, as there it is said, ought to be in every member of the great Council of Parliament. First, to be without gall, that is, without malice, rancour, heat, and envy; in elephante, melancholia transit in nutrimentum corporis. Every gallish inclination (if any were) should tend to the good of the whole body, the commonwealth. Secondly, that he be constant, inflexible, and not to be bowed or turned from the right, either for fear, reward, or favour, nor in judgment respect any person. Thirdly, of a ripe memory, that they, remembering perils past, might prevent dangers to come, as in that Roll of Parliament it appeareth. Whereunto we will add two other properties of the elephant; the one, that, though they be maximæ virtutis et maximi intellectus, of greatest strength and understanding, tamen gregatim semper incedunt, yet they are sociable, and go in companies; for animalia gregalia non sunt nociva, sed animalia solivaga sunt nociva; sociable creatures that go in flocks or herds are not hurtful, as deer, sheep, &c.; but beasts that walk solely or singularly, as bears, foxes, &c., are dangerous and hurtful. The other, that the elephant is philanthropos; homini erranti viam ostendit; and these properties ought every Parliament man to have."

CRITICAL NOTICES.

A View of the Present State of the Question as to Steam-Communication with India; with a Map and an Appendix, containing the Petitions to Parliament, and other Documents. By Captain MELVILLE GRINDLAY. London, 1836. Smith, Elder, and Co.

THIS is a timely publication, with a view to the discussion which the subject of Steam-Communication must (or should) undergo in the approaching session of Parliament. The advantages, and even imperative necessity of the object, are clearly and forcibly stated by Captain Grindlay; and the documents contained in his Appendix supply a store of details and facts.

Lives of the Most Eminent Literary Men of Great Britain. Vol. I. Being Vol. LXXXIV. of Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia. London, 1836. Longman & Co. Taylor.

A WELL-COMPILED history of our early scholars, philosophers, and poets, is a desideratum-in the works of occasional reference it is treated in a manner which does not assure us of its authenticity. The biographical department of the Cabinet Cyclopædia very appropriately takes in this subject, and, from the volume before us, we expect to see it treated in a very satisfactory manner. The persons, whose lives are recorded in it, are St. Columba, the Missionary of Christianity and Civilization from Ireland to North Britain, in the Sixth Century; Alfred the Great, the luminary of the Ninth Century; Chaucer, John Heywood, and Spenser. In the whole of these biographies, we discern marks of industrious and accurate research. The first comprehends an interesting sketch of the introduction of Christianity and Civilization into Scotland and Northumbria; the second, an account of the progress of English literature and civilization in Alfred's time; Heywood's history embraces that of the Early English Stage, with biographical sketches of dramatists prior to Heywood; and in Spenser's are interwoven notices of the state of literature in his day. The volume is a highly pleasing one.

Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons, illustrating the Perfections of God in the Phenomena of the Year. By the Rev. HENRY DUNCAN, D. D. Winter. Edinburgh, 1836. Oliphant.

DR. DUNCAN has chosen an appropriate mode of conveying the information and instruction which are to be collected from the Phenomena of Nature, or Natural Theology; his work may be regarded as a Commentary upon Paley's Work under the latter title. Following so far the model of Sturm, he has devoted a paper to each day of the season; the scientific facts are blended with practical religious reflections, and if justice be done to the book, it cannot fail to be popular.

which is the AntiThis is a satire on

The Works of William Cowper, &c., with a Life of the Author, by the Editor, ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq., LL.D., P.L., &c. Vol. VIII. London, 1836. Baldwin. THIS Volume commences the poetical works of Cowper, amongst Thelyphthora, to which we referred in our last notice of this work. the poet's cousin, Martin Madan,* under the naine of Sir Marmadan, and was the first thing published by Cowper in a separate form. The manner in which it came to Dr. Southey's notice is very singular. In a volume of Kippis's Biographia Britannica, which he had sent for, from a London Catalogue, and which had been a presentation copy to its first possessor, Dr. Southey found a note left in it as a marker, addressed by Mr. Rose, of Chancery Lane, to Mr. Isaac Reed, of Staple's Inn, referring to the Anti-Thelyphthora as written by Cowper, printed in 1781, and reviewed in the Monthly Review. Cowper, it appears, wished the authorship to remain a secret.

The plates in this volume are very beautiful.

Discourses by the late Rev. John B. Patterson, A M., Minister of Falkirk; to which is prefixed a Memoir of his Life. In Two Vols. Edinburgh, 1837. Oliver and Boyd, MR. PATTERSON, who was snatched from his sphere of clerical employment at the premature age of thirty-two, appears to have been an amiable, able, and useful clergyman and pastor. His biography is interesting; his discourses are eloquent, and some passages striking.

A History of Russia. Vol. II. Being Vol. LXXXV. of Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia. London, 1836. Longman. Taylor.

It is found necessary, owing to the unexpected accession of resources of historical information recently developed, to extend this history to three volumes. The present volume embraces the period from the reign of Peter the Great to that of Catherine II. The concluding volume is to be devoted to "the events that have given to Russia, since that period, so extraordinary an influence in the affairs of Europe." We shall look for this volume with eagerness.

Narrative of the Oppressive Law Proceedings, and other Measures, resorted to by the British Government, and numerous private individuals, to overpower the Earl of Stirling, and subvert his lawful rights. Written by Himself. Also a Genealogical Account of the Family of Alexander, Earls of Stirling, &c., compiled from MSS. in the possession of the Family; followed by An Historical View of their Hereditary Possessions in Nova Scotia, Canada, &c. &c. By EPHRAIM LOCKHART, Esq. Edinburgh, 1836.

We have attentively read this well-written, clear, and most satisfactory exposition by the Earl of Stirling, of his rights, and of the complete manner in which he has established them in the Courts of Law in Scotland, and we can only express our astonishment that the Government should, instead of lending its aid to this injured nobleman, have endeavoured to thwart and harass him. Taking the facts to be as stated by Lord Stirling, and there is no reason on the face of them to doubt their accuracy, it appears a case of crying oppression, and we think the Government is bound, either to forbear or to justify its cruel course of proceeding towards him.

It is referred to in a letter to Mr. Unwin, vol. iv. p. 60.

A History of British Quadrupeds.

VI. London. Van Voorst.

By THOMAS BELL, F. R.S., F.L.S. Parts V. and

THIS elegant work proceeds as it began: the cuts are remarkable for their beauty and characteristic fidelity; and the descriptions for their succinctness and perspicuity. Finden's Ports and Harbours of Great Britain, &c. Parts II., III., and IV. London, 1836. Tilt.

THESE parts of this very splendid work comprehend maritime views of great beauty. The truth and taste of the original drawings have had ample justice done them at the hands of Mr. Finden. The fairy structure of Sunderland Bridge was never so well represented as in one of the plates in the Fourth Part. The work is richly worth double the price.

The Shakspeare Gallery, containing the Principal Female Characters in the Plays of the Great Poet, &c. London, 1836. Tilt.

MR. CHARLES HEATH and his coadjutors go on admirably in this novel and elegant work, which embodies in visible forms of beauty the fanciful conceptions of our Great Dramatist. When completed, this collection of portraits will justly deserve to be classed amongst the Commentaries of Shakspeare, and we will venture to predict that they will be studied more generally than those of Steevens, Malone, Warburton, and even Johnson. The softness of Juliet, the archness of Rosalind, the Asiatic beauty of Jessica, and the voluptuous witchery of Cressida, shew that the artists are no novists in the school of Shakspeare.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

THE Third Volume of The Marquess Wellesley's Despatches, edited by Montgomery Martin, corrected, arranged, and revised by his Lordship, will appear in the first week in January.

Mr. F. Arundell is preparing for publication a Journal of a Tour to Jerusalem and Mount Sinai, with a series of twenty-four illustrations from drawings taken on the spot. The Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburgh is printing in the Mongol language, the "History of the Deeds of Gesser Khan and his Heroic Adventures," an heroic tradition, which is a great favourite with the Mongols.

The Travels in Arabic of Abufasla are printing at St. Petersburgh, under the superintendence of, and with a Russian translation by, Professor Heitling.

It is announced at Calcutta, that a transcript made by Major Macan, of a MS. containing a complete copy of all the original tales in the "Thousand and One Nights," which had been for some centuries in the possession of a noble Arab family in Egypt, was lying at St. Andrew's Library for public inspection. It is in four large and beautifully-written volumes.

Archdeacon Dealtry has published, at Calcutta, a little pamphlet, which he calls "Some Remarks on the Opium Trade;" it was sent to him anonymously, with permission to make what use of it he thought fit.

A Grammar of the Tamil Language, with an Appendix, by the Rev. C. Rhenius, Missionary, is announced at Madras.

The Hon. George Turnour, of the Ceylon Civil Service, has in the press at Colombo the first volume of the Mahawansi, an historical work in the ancient Pali language, compiled by Mahanámo, between A.D. 459 and A.D. 478, from authorities then extant, which are quoted by him, containing the History of Ceylon from B.C. 587 to the above period; and a sketch of the Buddhistical History of India, from B.C. 543 to B.C. 282; the text printed in Roman characters, pointed with diacritical marks; with the translation subjoined.

Mr. Joseph Hamilton, of Dublin, a gentleman who has been described as "a Christian Patriot, and Universal Philanthropist," and "a literary gentleman, who has been the victim of his uncalculating devotion to the cause of virtue and humanity; who has saved more lives, and liberated more prisoners, than any other individual; and respecting whose benevolence, usefulness, and talents, there are the most honourable testimonials from persons of all parties, sects, and ranks," is publishing by subscription a collection of his works, under the title of "A Public Writer's Works."