ASIATIC SOCIETIES. 220 August, 1873.] 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. Thereforo 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 tho some* what similar belief that the Fahta (Turtur lmmilis) owes the reddish-brown colour of its breast to the stain of the blood of the Prophet’s son-in-law 'Ali P In Kh&ndesh, the beak of the slate-coloured Hombill (called Dhunchert) is considered a re¬ medy for rheumatism. It is powdered and taken internally. I once saw the bones of a pauther’s foot, much rubbed and worn, hanging iu the MAmlatdar’s Kacheri at S&sur, in the PurA 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-mdnjar 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 bvil spirits of all sorts. ASIATIC SOCIETIES. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1871-7*2. This part of the Journal contains tho following papers:— 1. Extracts from a Memoir left by the Butch Governor Thomas Van llhec to his successor, Go¬ vernor Gerrit de Uccre, 1607—translated from the Dutch by R. A. Van Cuylenberg. Governor Van Rheo begins by pointing out “ how many castles, forts, fortresses, and fastnesses tho Honourable Company” had then possession of. They were— “The fortress of Calpitty, 21 Dutch miles north of Colombo. Tho fortress of Negombo, 5 Dutch miles south of Colombo. Tho fort of Caltura, 8 Dutch miles south of Colombo. Tho fort of Augu- ratotta, 6 miles inland from Caltura. The fort of Hangwella, in the Hewag&m 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. Tho fortified town of Guile, and the fortress of Maturd. The Logie of Tutucoryn. The fortresses of Trincomali and of Batticaloa, on the east coast. The eight islands—Carredive, now also called Amsterdam, Pangcredivo 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 arrack, cloth, and salt trade ; the tolls and rights of the Company’s domains, which are yearly rented out, agriculture, tho Chauk and pi:iW fisheries.” Next come the inhabitants, consisting of “ forty 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 (Ydlalar), the most numerous of all the classes ; the Chiandas (Sandar), comprising but a very small number; theTannekares (Tanahkarar). the Paradeezes (Paratesikal); the Madapallys (Madappali) are bound to work for tho Govern¬ ment twelvo days in tho year, and to pay two fanams as poll-taxes, and one fanam as * adegariyc.’ The Madapallys (Madappali) aro also employed among the heathen to assist the Brahmans in the preparation of their meals. “ The Malleales Agambadys (Malady ala AJcam- 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 (MukUuvar), Chim- balawes (Sampadavar), andTummulas (Tumilar)— aro 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
