ADVERTISEMENT. Ir is with concern that the Bombay Literary Society have observed that much delay has occurred in the publication of the first volume of their Transactions; but in consequence of the printing taking place in England, it has not been in their power to prevent it: without waiting, however, to learn what success may have been obtained by their former pages, they have determined to lay before the public another volume, which they trust will be found not entirely undeserving of attention. When this Society was established, it was intended that its researches should comprehend subjects of literature in general, and not be confined to such as are merely Oriental. But the studies and pursuits of its members must naturally, from their place of residence, induce them to direct their attention to the History, Literature, and Antiquities of Asia. The field is vast; and although not altogether unexplored, still much of it remains either inaccurately surveyed, or not yet described. It may be hoped that the societies which have been established in India will contribute to throw a new and brighter light on many subjects that are at present obscured by the darkness of antiquity; and to exhibit a correcter view than is to be found in any work hitherto published of the natural history of this extensive continent, and of the actual state of the manners and political economy of the various nations which inhabit it. In such labours the Bombay Literary Society are happy to participate; and they trust that future communications will enable them to render their Transactions the valuable repository of such short tracts or essays as may tend to the attainment of so desirable an object, but which their writers may think not adapted for a larger work. Respecting the papers contained in this volume, with the exception of the one comprising a description of Abyssinia, no remarks can be neces sary. This paper was written by Mr. Pearce, an English seaman who was left in Abyssinia at the time of Lord Valentia's visit to Massowa in 1805. It was after being nine years in that country that he addressed this account to Sir Evan Nepean: and the Society, to whom it was presented, have thought proper to publish it with as few corrections as possible; as they conceive that this plain and unadorned description, although written by a man entirely unlettered, conveys an interesting and striking view of the real situation of that country. The Society avail themselves of this opportunity of observing, that they do not hold themselves in any manner responsible for the opinions which may be contained in the papers that are inserted in their Transactions ;, and that they never will, in their collective capacity, pass any decision, on any disputed point of literature. Bombay, 18th May, 1819.. CONTENTS. I. NOTICE and Extracts of the Miritolmemalik (Mirror of Coun- tries) of Sidi Ali Capoodawn. By Mr. JOSEPH HAMMER, of Vienna. Read 31st October, 1815 III. An Essay on Persian Literature. By Captain VANS Kennedy. IV. Description of a volcanic Eruption in the Island of Sumbawa. By ANDREW STEWART, Esq., Assistant Surgeon of the Bombay Establishment. Read 27th January, 1818 V. Remarks on the Chronology of Persian History previous to the Conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great. By Captain VANS KENNEDY. Read 31st March, 1818 VI. On the Ruins of Boro Budor in Java. By JoHN CRAWFORD, Esq. VII. Account of a curious Case in Surgery. By CHARLES LINTON, Esq. Read 30th June, 1818. With a Drawing VIII. Account of the Progress made in deciphering Cuneiform Inscrip- tions. By Mr. CHARLES BELLINO. Read 30th June, 1818. With three Drawings upon two Plates IX. Some Account of the Caves near Baug called the Panch Pandoo. By Captain F. Dangerfield, of the Bombay Military Esta- blishment. Read 28th July, 1818. With three Drawings X. An Account of the Province of Cutch, and of the Countries lying between Guzerat and the River Indus: with cursory Remarks on the Inhabitants, their History, Manners, and State of Society. 61 170 - 194 By Captain JAMES MACMURDO, Resident at Anja. Read 29th XI. Notice respecting the Religion introduced into India by the Emperor Akbar. By Captain VANS KENNEDY. Read 29th XII. Description of a curious Bird of the Otis Genus. By Captain 23d February, 1819. With a Drawing XIII. Notes respecting the Trial by Punchiet, and the Administration of Justice at Poona under the late Peishwa. By THOMAS COATS, Esq. Surgeon of the Bombay Establishment. Read 23rd Fe- XIV. Some Account of Mahummud Mehdi, the Wali or Saint of the Mehdivis: translated and abridged from the Books of his Dis- ciples and Followers. Read 30th March, 1819 XV. On the Sacred Books and Religion of the Parsis. By WILLIAM ERSKINE, Esq. Read 27th April, 1819. XVI. On the Authenticity of the Desátir, with Remarks on the Account ADVERTISEMENT. THE ground plan of the grand excavation of Elephanta not having |