diries, who were to protect it with the fourteen thousand Nairs under their command, agreeable to Cheruma's disposition.

But the Zamorin, after having established his power in that part of the country, and attained the summit of his grandeur, assumed to himself the prerogative of presiding at and conducting the mamangom. The princes of the house of Vellaterra could not brook this usurpation of the Zamorin; they made an attack on his life when he presided the first time at the mamangom, and several princes of Vellaterra and Nair chiefs fell in the fruitless attempt; and since that time this tragedy has been repeated as often as the mamangom was celebrated; the most resolute of the Vellaterra family and their followers devoting themselves to an almost certain death; for they appear armed with bows and swords, and attempt to pave their way to the Zamorin's throne, who surrounded by a strong guard is prepared to receive them, and they are of course overpowered and cut to pieces before they can reach the successful usurper; which attempt is repeated every day as long as the mamangom lasts, and each day some fall a sacrifice to their enthusiasm. It happened however towards the middle of the present century, that the Zamorin was in imminent danger of being murdered by a Nair chief, who, after having cut down with incredible bravery every man in his way, had already ascended the steps of the Zamorin's throne, when a Mapilla priest (Coyo) threw himself in his way, and gave the Zamorin time to save himself. It is a very remarkable circumstance, that the Zamorin used to be accompanied during the celebration of the mamangom by the chief Meeta or head man of the Mapillas on one side, and by the Portuguese factor on the other. It is not above forty years since the last mamangom was celebrated.

(4)

II.

REMARKS UPON THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ISLAND

OF BOMBAY

DURING THE YEARS 1803 AND 1804.

By Major (now Lieutenant Colonel) JASPER NICHOLLS.

Read in the Society on the 28th January, 1805.

THE daily observations of the height of the thermometer, from which the following remarks and accompanying charts have been framed, were not originally intended to form the basis of a very minute inquiry into the variations of the climate; but they have been continued with so much care and punctuality, that they may possibly afford a result, which, though not scrupulously accurate, may not be uninteresting.

The thermometer which has been used on this occasion is of the common kind, but one which previous comparison and subsequent experience have proved to be a good one: from the 1st of January to the 24th of March 1803 it had not the advantage of being compared with any other at the moment of examination; but since the latter period it has undergone a daily comparison sufficient to make trial of, and confirm, its accuracy.

The observations were generally made in the morning from six to eight o'clock; for the midday between twelve and four; and at night from half past nine to twelve. The greatest height at noon has been noted, when several observations were made.

It

may be satisfactory to know the position of the instrument, and situation of the house in which the diary has been kept.

The front of the house runs nearly north and south, opening to the west towards the sea, and distant 375 yards from high-water mark. It is wholly exposed to the westward, partly so to the northward; but to

the eastward and southward the neighbouring buildings either obstruct the free passage of the air, or from their low roofs reflect a considerable portion of heat. In comparison with other houses within the fort, those on the western face have many advantages of situation; two of them, exposure, particularly to the sea breezes and the coolness derived therefrom, materially connected with the objects of inquiry. Therefore to establish any positive medium of the climate of Bombay, similar observations made in the country, and some more unexposed part of the fort, are necessary. The thermometers were suspended against a wall two feet in thickness, within a few inches of the angle formed by the junction of another wall of nearly equal thickness; the room itself spacious and lofty. They cannot at any time have been raised by the action of the sun upon them; the walls prevent such an effect, and on the other sides it is even less possible. On these sides also they have not been exposed to any improper influence or current of the air; on one, being sheltered by a door which, being kept open, forms a channel for the air from the other. The height at which the instruments were suspended is about 23 feet above the level of high-water mark.

On the whole the position may be reckoned a favourable one; and this description of it, though detailed, may not, perhaps, be unnecessarily introduced.

In order to render the series of observations more connected, and to bring it at a view under the eye, charts similar to those used by Mr. Playfair in his Commercial and Political Atlas have been adopted; and this mode of conveying information on this subject may possibly, in some respects, be preferable to those hitherto in general use. It affords strong and marked lines, which in the other must be sought and procured only by considerable examination; it also presents an immediate, easy, and fair comparison between any two years or parts of the same year.

The charts No. 1 and 2 exhibit the variations of the thermometer in the years 1803 and 1804: in explanation of them a few words may be requisite.

The charts are divided by lines running from left to right, each space