August, 1873.]

ASIATIC SOCIETIES.

NOTES AND LEGENDS CONNECTED WITH ANIMALS. II--BIRDS, &c. BY W. F. SINCLAIR, Bo. C.S. KHANDESH.

In former days the Hoopoe (Upupa epops) had a crown of gold, for the value of which it was sore

persecuted by men. Therefore the Hoopoe went to Solomon, the son of David, who understood the

language of all creatures, and besought him to intercede with the Most High that its crown might

be of feathers, which was granted. This story is Spanish, but appears to me to be of Muhammadan

origin. Is any reader of the Antiquary acquainted with it in a Musalman form, or with the some

what similar belief that the Fähta (Turtur humilis) owes the reddish-brown colour of its breast to the stain of the blood of the Prophet's son-in-law 'Ali P In Khāndesh, the beak of the slate-coloured Hornbill (called Dhuncherí) is considered a re medy for rheumatism. It is powdered and taken internally.

I once saw the bones of a panther's foot, much rubbed and worn, hanging in the Māmlatdār's Kacheri at Sāsur, in the Purā collectorate, and found, on inquiry, that for skin diseases, water in which the scrapings of these bones is mixed,

is considered a specific. The panther's paw, ac cordingly, was kept in the office, along with the Government stores of ammonia and quinine. A ring made of the scale of the Pangolin (called by natives Kaul-manjar or scaly-cat, and by Europeans, incorrectly, an ant-eater) is a protec tion against poison if worn on the finger. When

the hand wearing such a ring is dipped into the dish all the poisoned food immediately turns green. The same scales, worn in the tur ban, are a protection against evil spirits of all SOrtS.

ASIATIC SOCIETIES.

Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1871-72.

arrack, cloth, and salt trade; the tolls and rights of the Company's domains, which are yearly

This part of the Journal contains the following

rented out, agriculture, the Chank and pearl fisheries.”

papers :—

-

Extracts from a Memoir left by the Dutch

Next come the inhabitants, consisting of “forty

Governor Thomas Van Rhee to his successor, Go vernor Gerrit de JIeere, 1697—translated from the

different classes of people, who are subject to perform certain services, and to pay several petty taxes to Government, in addition to the pay ment of land rents and the tenth of their lands, trees, houses, and gardens.” They are:—“The Bellales (Vellalar), the most numerous of all the classes; the Chiandas (Sandar), comprising but a

1.

Dutch by R. A. Van Cuylenberg. Governor Van Rhee begins by pointing out “how many castles, forts, fortresses, and fastnesses the Honourable

Company” had then possession of. They were— “The fortress of Calpitty, 21 Dutch miles north of Colombo. The fortress of Negombo, 5 Dutch miles south of Colombo. The fort of Caltura, 8 Dutch miles south of Colombo. The fort of Augu ratotta, 5 miles inland from Caltura.

The fort

of Hangwella, in the Hewagâm Korle. The fort of Malwana, four hours' walk east of Colombo.

The castle and island of Jaffnapatam. Mannar with other forts. The fort of Arripo. The fortified town of Galle, and the fortress of Maturá.

The

Logie of Tutucoryn. The fortresses of Trincomali and of Batticaloa, on the east coast. The eight islands—Carredive, now also called Amsterdam, Pangeredive or Middleburg, Annelle or Rotterdam, Neynadive or Haarlem, Tannidive or Leyden, Perrendive or Illadvaka called Delft, also Hooren

and Eukheuysen.” He then goes on to say “the several sources of revenue and advantages derived by the Honour

able Company under their government are: the peeling of cinnamon, the capture of elephants, the

very small number; the Tannekares (Tanakkarar) ; the Paradeezes (Paratesikal); the Madapallys (Madappali) are bound to work for the Govern ment twelve days in the year, and to pay two fanams as poll-taxes, and one fanam as ‘adegariye.” The Madapallys (Madappali) are also employed among the heathen to assist the Brahmans in the preparation of their meals. “The Malleales Agambadys (Malaiyala Akam padis) are bound to serve the . Government twelve days in the year, and to pay two fanams as

poll-tax. . “The Fishers—consisting of six different classes, viz: Carreas (Karaiyar), Paruwas (Parayar), Kaddeas (Kadaiyar), Moeheas (Mukkuvar), Chim balawes (Sampadavar), and Tummulas (Tumilar)—

are required to serve as sailors twelve days in the year on board the vessels belonging to the Go vernment.”

“The Moors pay 10 fanams, and assist in hauling