about 9 A.M., when an hour's calm is again succeeded by a breeze from the nort-west. The change of temperature was found very great during this season, between day and night, with the exercise of walking, the lightest clothing was found most suitable during the day, but about two hours before sun set the temperature falls rapidly, and at night with the land breeze blowing, two blankets and a counterpane were not too much to prevent actual cold. This change must always be carefully met, by dressing in woollen, a precaution which should never be omitted. The same peculiarity of atmosphere, which produces such ill effects from exposure to the sun, may also be the occasion of a greater amount of exhaustion (not fatigue) under the exercise of walking, which I experienced more in going over this Island, than I had ever previously found, in the few other parts of India yet visited. A remedy for this feeling was always found by application to the contents of a haversack, and the precaution was always taken of not setting out on the day's journey without the regular meal. It is not altogether from personal experience in this particular, during so limited a time, that I would express the opinion, that bodily exercise of any sort in this climate, requires for its support, at least by the European constitution, a generous diet. In its corroboration, I was informed, that during the time of service, on this coast, of the 65th Regiment Native Infantry, a very fearful mortality took place among the Sepoys, not so much from the actual violence of the prevalent disease, the well known Arracan fever, as from the consequence of its debilitating nature, from which the constitution of the Native would not allow him to rally, though always assisted by liberality administering strengthening medicine and means; while to this mortality among the privates, a strong contrast was exhibited in the constant good health of all the officers, throughout the whole period of nearly two years, a contrast attributed by the medical, and other officers of the regiment to the difference of diet of the two parties. During the exposure to which the crew of the Childers' were necessarily subjected in the execution of a survey on the coast, many cases of the same fever occurred, at the present time amounting to upwards of 60 in number, but of the parties so suffering there were but few who were not perfectly recovered, and at duty again in 8 days, a circumstance which I incline to attribute mainly, not only to the usual liberal allowance supplied to Her Majesty's seamen, but also to the endeavours (fully appreciated) to supply the crew with as much, and as great changes of good food as were, under circumstances, procurable. There must not be left out of view the great value of the facility of an immediate application, on first symptoms, to a medical adviser afforded in a man-of-war. Nor again that of the precaution which the service provides under such circumstances, by the administering of wine and quinine to all likely to be exposed. This latter was found of great use, and is much to be recommended, while in regard to the other consideration it is right to notice, as tending to deprive this fever, of something of its formidable character, that in many cases, a simple dose of medecine, administered on first symptoms, has sufficed to drive it entirely away. One case only proved fatal, and with it were connected peculiar circum stances. The climate during the period of the heavy rains is not an unhealthy one, it will be one necessarily of great confinement to the European, which is perhaps unfavourable, being inclined to attribute much value to personal exercise, but occupation by all who know its value, would not even at such time be found impracticable even for the body, much less for the mind. The temperature during this season is cool, though the moisture of the atmosphere is very destructive to every thing but stone and metal. It is the time for the growth of the crops which we put into the ground just previous, and it is now that nature puts on her rich clothing of verdure; and vegetation is most rapid. It is accompanied by a constant breeze from the south-west. The natives enjoy this time as much as their Burmah brethren, and with their smallest children, like frogs, delight most in exposure to the heaviest falls. Great importance as a preservative of health in this climate is to be attached to a very careful watch over the due performance of the digestive functions; both speaking from personal experience, and also by observation of our sick generally, it being found that inattention to this particular was not so much the occasion of dysenteric disease, as that it rendered the party liable to the prevailing fever, which was found to them a very intimate connexion with the state of the stomach, any derangement with the regular functions of which, if not a certain occasion, being at least a strong predisposing cause to taking the disease, and being found in all cases more than ordinarily its accompaniment. My acquaintance with the climate of Chedooba is but small, and was limited to that of the best season of the year. I therefore would speak on the subject with every deference to the opinions of others of more practical knowledge, and extended experience. But as the result of what I have found and heard of it; I am strongly impressed with the opinion, that, employment for body and mind-to avoid direct exposure to the sun;-good (not intemperate) living; accommodation of clothing to changes of temperature; careful attention to the state of the stomach; with due observation of these precautions, in aid of a sound constitution, the climate of Chedooba, would be found not only healthy, but at some seasons most delightful to the European. The eastern parts do not enjoy so temperate a climate in the hot season as the western, being less exposed to the fresh sea breeze; and the immediate neighbourhood of the creeks would be found situations prudently avoided. The fine pulverulent soil in the east, by the quantity and penetrating nature of the dust it creates, is also at that season a very great annoyance; notwithstanding therefore the greater exposure during the monsoon, and that it is at present far less populous than the eastern. I consider the N. W. portion of the Island, as that which, at all seasons, would be found the most congenial to the European constitution. While speaking of the climate of their Island, it is fair to notice its effect upon the natives themselves, as well as upon Europeans, and it was found that they also are subject, though but inconsiderably, to occasional attacks of the fever. All the able-bodied men on the Island were employed with me on one occasion for a fortnight together, and therefore came under my direct notice, and though at hard work all day, and sleeping in the jungle at night, it came to my knowledge that fever had been taken by only one individual throughout that time, an old man verging on 80 years, and who ought not to have been present. In traversing the Island throughout, I believe not to have omitted visiting any of its villages; and whatever sick were in them, always made application for relief, either personally, or by their friends. These cases amounted in all to four of fever, one of small-pox, one of dropsy, one of paralysis, one of blindness, and one of deformed limb, three cases of fever occurred also with our Bengallee attendants. The native population therefore seemed to exhibit no signs of a pestilential climate. While on the contrary, throughout the Island, they afforded the clearest and most extensive evidence of its healthiness, and suitableness to their constitutions, in the great number of old men and women, to be found in every village. As mere old age entitles to the respect and deference of the whole community, the old people, as elders and leaders, always come forth to meet us; and with few exceptions even to the age of 106 years were found hale, if not vigorous in mind and body, much interesting information being gotten from parties 80 and 90 years old, with memories as fresh apparently, and minds as clear as they ever had been, men even of that age tak ing their share in almost hard work. Although this is a double testimony in its favor, it is as impossible, nevertheless to deny, as it is painful to acknowledge, that hitherto, these coasts have proved most fatal to Europeans, that sailors, soldiers, and civilians, have alike fallen victims to its fever, and on Chedooba an ample share; nor may there be a doubt thrown on the attention and ability of those medical officers whose exertions have yet hitherto failed in all attempts to stop its fatal progress. Whether therefore this country is one from which the European is to be ever thus excluded, or whether in the progress of all other improvements, and also if the character of his treatment by himself or by others may be found hereafter to enable him to make here also his temporary home, and introduce, with his wealth, his intelligence, his energy, and above all his religion, their attendant blessings, must apparently be left for the future to shew. But giving to the facts, which constitute this favorable evidence, no more than the weight, they are strictly entitled to-and others may be found perhaps to entertain with me, even more than the hope, that some such improvement may eventually render the climate of Chedooba, and also that of Arracan, no longer so fatal a bar as hitherto, to the advance in these provinces of the Civilization of Europe. (To be continued.) Memoranda on the Chulchulheera' of the Hills, and on some Lichens from the Himalayas in the Collection of the Asiatic Society. BY HENRY PIDDINGTON, Offg. Curator, Mus. Asiatic Society. My attention having been directed to this subject by our President, I took the opportunity, when examining the Chulchulheera,' to test also some lichens sent to the Asiatic Society from Simlah, in 1838,by Mrs. Siddons, which I found in the Museum. I have thought it worth while to make known the results of my work, and to add a few remarks which have occured to me, in the hope of drawing attention to this very interesting though neglected subject. I subjected the Chulchulheera' to the common ammoniacal test, and found that it yielded a tolerably bright red brown liquid, though not the violet red described by Hellot; I did not succeed in producing any substantive dye with it, though using several mordants, I essayed to manufacture some kind of Cudbear from it also, but did not succeed. The preparation of Cudbear however depends upon two fermenting processes, the first of which is the preparation of fermented urine, and then a sort of fermentation of the lichen with the prepared urine and lime. I am very doubtful whether, at the temperature usually prevailing here, we can obtain the fermented urine at all, in the state in which it is used in Europe, from its passing so rapidly to the incipient putrid state. It may moreover be doubted whether the heat is not also too great for the fermentation of the lichen. Hence, and because all fermentative processes depend so much on heat, and often on the quantity of material used, nothing can be predicted of this failure. Lichens from the Himalaya. These are, as above stated, a box sent down by Mrs. Siddons in 1838. I have arranged herewith a box of specimens of them, and one of bottles of the liquids produced. I subjoin a note of the colours as they appear when fresh, and I have marked their differences when seen by transmitted or by reflected light, for this appears worth noticing. To be seen properly they must be examined in a bright sunshine. I observe that some of the colours change a little, or become uuller, in a few days. 13, 14, 15; much like No. 7, but I had but very small quantities to use for testing : 16. A poor dirty orange brown.... 17. A brilliant crimson... ...... 18. A golden brown.. The same. The same. I should think, from the richness and intensity of the colours, that most of these, excepting perhaps, Nos. 3, 7, 5, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are worth attention; and it should not be forgotten that they have been certainly |