Some account of the secret association at Rameserum, which is said to be governed by laws much resembling those of Freemasonry. Particulars of the education of dancers and singers, with any rules, written or oral, regarding these arts; the rights of property in female dancers; the castes into which their children are admitted, and their customs with regard to the purchase of children, especially of the weaver tribe.

An account of the Lobbies of the southern provinces of the Peninsula.

Information relative to the practice of burying alive, which exists in the provinces northwest of Madras.

An account of any races of mountaineers whose habits and customs differ from those of the inhabitants of the neighbouring plains. Ceremonies and practices of the Pilgrims at the temples of Trivaloor and Paddapollam,in the Jageer, with specimens of articles presented as offerings at those temples.

ARCHITECTURE.

A translation or abstract of the Silpa Sastra and some exposition of Hindu architecture, including particulars of the building materials in use, especially the preparations of the various kinds of chunam and cement.

Details regarding the building of great architectural works, such as pagodas, forts, palaces, bridges, &c. with the dates of their erection.

The Pagodas of Triputty, Trincomalee, Chillumbrum, Canjipoorom, Seringham, and Rameserum, are particularly worthy of notice: and among the most remarkable forts are those of Ginjee, Vellore, Chandernagore, Seringapatam, Pamakonday, Trichinopoly, Dindigul, and Palamcottah, with the Durgahs or Hill Forts in the Baramahal, the Mysore, the province of Canara, &c. Many of these are supposed to be very ancient. The works of Ginjee may be instanced, which, with any particulars of the former governments of that place, would of itself form a subject of curious enquiry.

The Pagoda and town of Shiva Samoodram, near the falls of the Cavery, deserve particular description.

A drawing of the Bridge thrown over the Cavery at Seringapatam, by the Dewan Poorniah, and called the Wellesley bridge, with an account of the manner of its erection and its dimensions, would also be highly interesting.

The Hindu Province of Tanjore escaped entirely the ravages of Mahomedan fanaticism and intolerance, and all its institutions, religious and domestic, exist at this day, in their original state. An

authentic account of the magnificent temples in the fortresses and towns of Tanjore, Combeconum, Myeveram, Trivalore, Manargoody and Andiarcoil, would be extremely valuable. The sculptures in the temple of Andiarcoil are particularly recommended to attion.

LANDED TENURES, AGRICULTURE, &c.

Notices of the ancient and modern Hindu systems of Agriculture, and of the apportionment of the produce of the soil.

History of the division of the produce of the soil between the cultivators of irrigated lands in the several provinces of the Peninsula; when this division was first established; its cause, the original rates of division, and the increase or decrease of these rates under different sovereigns or governments.

Copies and translations of all kinds of deeds and instruments for the transfer of property, with a notice of the countries and periods to which they refer.

To ascertain with respect to grants of land in general, whether the land itself is in any case bestowed by the grant, or only the landlord's share of the produce or revenue.

Is there any reason to think that tenures were established in the South of India, previous to the conquests by the Carnatic Sovereigns in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, by the Princes of the Chola and Pandian dynasties, or can any connexion be traced from these Princes to the sovereigns of the Maleialum country. The name Sheran, stated to be prefixed to that of Permal, in the copper-plate grants to the christians in the 9th century, excites the idea of some connexion between the Chola, Sheran, and Pandian kings of the south.

A statement of the proportion of Mahommedan to Hindu cultivators in the several provinces.

The extent to which irrigation is carried and the works of art erected for this purpose, would, (with sketches of Sluices of Culingalahs) form an interesting subject of investigation. For example, an historical account of the Annicut on the river Cavery and of the first conversion of the waters of the Tambrapournie river in Tinnevelly, to purposes of irrigation.

Local products of the soil, and various manures in use.

Account of the culture of the different kinds of indigo, of sugar, rice and opium.

The culture of tobacco, and when first introduced into India; and of the pepper and betel vine.

Description of timber woods with a collection of specimens.

ARTS AND MANUFACTURES.

An enquiry into the state of the arts in general, the reduction of ores, refining and working of metals, works in ivory, wood, pottery, silk, cotton, &c.

Descriptions of native processcs for the preparation of various articles of domestic consumption. Their coloured powders; dyes; cosmetics; varnishes; gilding, real and imitative; and other ornamental works, which the Hindus so skilfully employ in the decoration of wooden idols, toys, &c.

Models, drawing and specimens of all kinds of implements, with written descriptions.

The rise and progress of navigation among the Arabs, and of the art of ship and boat building, as well in their ports, as in those of India. Models of Grabs, Donies, Masula boats, Catemarans, and Canoes, would materially illustrate this subject.

The construction of a musical band, and a description of the various musical instruments in use, with specimens.

The Hindu method of musical notation, with a history of their attainments in the science of music. Some of their most popular airs, as examples, would enhance the value of communications on this subject.

Account of the Gymnastic exercises of the Hindus and Mahommedans, their arms and warlike engines, offensive and defensive; their method of taking wild animals and game, and the instruments employed for these purposes.

NATURAL HISTORY.

In all its departments, still offers a wide field of researches in India. Many districts have been but superficially examined as to their animal, vegetable, and mineral productions; and even the varieties of the human race have not been sufficiently considered. The Nil Giri hills in the midst of our own territories, have been but partially examined by only one naturalist; and their ornithology is still totally unexplored.

The principal rivers will probably furnish many new species of fish, and the various methods of taking them, as well along the coast and in harbours, as in rivers, would form a good subject for investigation.

The method of conducting the several pearl fisheries; their extent and annual produce; form a branch of this enquiry.

The breeds of cattle in Guntoor and Guzerat, Mysore, and Vel

lore, and the cause of their exceeding so remarkably in size, those of Tanjore, Malabar and Canara.

An account of the various breeds of horses, both aboriginal and Arabian.

An account of the Shen Nai, or wild dog, accompanied by drawings or a skin. Does it attack the larger beasts of prey and hunt in packs?

It has been observed in the extensive Bamboo jungle on the western side of the Peninsula, that tracts of the forest have simulraneously died, leaving bare patches of many miles in extent, and that destructive irruptions of wild elephants into cultivated districts, have on some occasions been owing to this cause: Does this phonomenon take place in other parts of India? does it happen to other trees as well as the bamboo? and to what cause is it to be attributed?

MISCELLANEOUS.

Account of Eastern Caravans, or overland communications between Europe and India, both in ancient and modern times.

Account of the former and present state of the Pamboo strait between the island of Rameserum and the main; with a statement of the causes which have obstructed its navigation by large vessels.

It is suggested that meteorological accounts be kept in all the Cutcheries of Collectors, with a view of deducing thence a general meteorological account of the Peninsula; and the annexed is recommended as the form under which such accounts should be registered.

It is requested that in any communicatians forwarded to the Society, the Native names may be written in the original character as well as in English.

Year. Month. Day. Bar. Ther. [Hygr.] Diff. Bar. Ther. Hygr. Diff. Bar. (Ther. Hygr.] Diff. Evap. Rain. Wind. REMARKS.

9 A. M.

The above are the Maximum or Minimum hour of the Barometer both during the day and night.

It is of the greatest importance that the instruments used should be compared with some standard for which purpose Mr. Taylor, the Honorable Company's Astronomer has kindly offered to lend his aid to any gentleman who may wish to compare his with those made use of at Madras which have been compared with those used in Calcutta and are to be depended upon,