ber of the common ones, being scarcely in the proportion of one to ten. Now, as the number of males in every species, is nearly the same as that of females, so great a disproportion can scarcely be supposed to exist; and this induces the writer of this article to lay more stress on the difference of colour, than he otherwise would have done. So far as he can recollect, the bare part of the head and neck in this species, is red and carunculated; and the body is black, or nearly so.

The following observations on the Bengal Vulture were formerly copied, with his permission, from a Mss. of H. T. Colebrooke, Esq. and are now added to this article.

The Yoga-turunginee and Bhava prukasha distinguish a spe cies of the Vulture by the Sungskrita name of Bhasa.

The Sungskrita term Gridhra, (ravenous,) from which the Bengalee and Hindee names are obviously derived, is very appropriate. Hindee medical writers* add to the Sungskrita synonyma, appellations which allude to the Vulture's sharp sight, or to the strength or the shape of his beak, viz. Doora dursuna, or Doora drish, (far-seeing), Soodrisht, having good vision), Vujra-toonda, (hard-beaked), Chukra-chunchoo, (round-beaked), &c.

The Raja Nighunta adds appellations, which belong to Guroora, the bird of Vishnoo according to mythology; and, among the res, he states Khugendra, king of birds, equivalent to Khuga-raja, which is in use in the common Hindee language. The truth is, that many of the learned in India consider the Guroora of mythology to be a Vulture; while others suppose it to be a gigantic crane, and some make it an eagle.

Persian authors allot to this bird the power of flying more than two thousand parasangs in a single day; and, in proof of it alledge the pretended experiment that the Vulture will fetch the thunder stone, (which they say, is found only in Serendip) in that space of time, from greater distances. They add, that his senses of vision and hearing, afe peculiarly acute, and that the period of his life exceeds a thousand years. Meninski, and after him Richard修 The Muduna vinoda and other works,

son, did not recognize the Vultare in the similar description quot. ed by them nor did Hyde. But the Hindee and Arabic synonyma in the Mekhzenu Ladviyeh, and other works, sufficiently ascertain it to be the bird intended.

The notion of the Vulture's possessing peculiarly acute senses is confessedly founded on the circumstance, that these birds, which soar to a great height during the heat of the day, assemble promptly in great numbers round a dead, or a dying animal. The faet is certainly remarkable; but it may be accounted for, without the supposition of an acute sense of smell or sight. The nearest Vulture alighting near a dead, or a dying animal, is seen by others more distant; and these flying towards the place where he alights, are observed and followed by others still more distant; and they thus assemble from all directions, with great expedition.

EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE.

VIII. Auxiliary Bible Society of the People of Colour in Jamaica. It is the grand characteristic and the grand excellence of the Gospel, that "in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free." Such an equalizing bond of union was needed to secure the happiness of mankind. Raised above each other as they are in their imaginations, from the accidental circumstances which divide the great family of man; it was impossible that all the forbearance under derision and insult which true religion inspires, should secure mutual happiness, without its inculcating some principle of this nature. A man from conscience toward God may patiently submit to insult for the sake of preserving peace; but he never esteems the insult a right thing, nor desires its continuance. He will therefore quietly retire from that society which is in the habit of inflicting it; and this is fatal to mutual union, and mutual happiness.

But among all those distinctions which in their effect on the mind divide and dishonor society, there is scarcely any one more

silly, and yet held more tenaciously, than that of colour. Even in America, according to some, the land of complete equality and freedom, it is reported, that many feel it difficult to persuade themselves, even in the sanctuary, that White and Black are perfectly synonimous. Happily in this country this childish distinction is vanishing with all the speed that sound wisdom and greatness of mind can wing their way. But in our West India Islandsbut it is better to draw a veil over things there. We would rather contemplate the delightful proofs before us that People of Colour, can appreciate the value of the Divine word; and that the British and Foreign Bible Society, adorned as it is with those who deserve as well as wear the honors of life, can feel the tie which unites them in the bonds of Christianity with the descendants of Africa and acknowledge it without hesitation, in the view of an assembled world.

"To the Lords and Gentlemen composing the British and Foreign Bible Society.

"Most respected Lords and Gentlemen,

"We, the undersigned persons of colour in the island of Jamaica, sincerely impressed with the beneficent object of the British and Foreign Bible Society, behold with heartfelt pleasure, that while a great portion of mankind labours under the iron yoke of infidelity, the work of charity and love is exercised to send forth the word of salvation throughout the earth; whereby those who are as yet in a state of ignorance and sin, may be induced to read the sacred oracles of truth, and, under the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit, be brought to a sav ing knowledge of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

"Disparaged, as we have hitherto been, and still continue to be, by the operation of local prejudices, we rejoice that an oppornity is held out to us to manifest how much we appreciate the exertions of so excellent an institution, as being calculated to administer to the relief of all men, whatever be their nation or com plexion.

"To this end, we beg leave to inform you, that a Society has been established, on the 30th of September last, in the city of Kingston, under the denomination of The Jamaica Auxiliary Bible Society of the People of Colour; the object of which is, to raise a yearly subscription throughout the island, to assist the future progress of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

"Although the present remittance be but small, yet we indulge ourselves in the hope that the smallest gift derives worth from the intention of the giver: this being collected from the poorer classes in general of the people of colour in Kingston; a partial collection having been already made from them before this Society was formed we look forward, however, with the expectation, that it may, by God's blessing, assist in sowing the seed of his divine word in abundance.

"We entertain the highest regard for the British and Foreign Bible Society; the more especially as many of our unhappy brethren are at this moment enveloped in the dark cloud of ignorance and sin; yet we are happy in the reflection, that there are multitudes among us who thirst after the living water of life, and are desirous to see the pure and genuine word of God spread.

"It is our fervent prayer that our blessed Lord's word may have free course and be glorified; and that he may pour out his Holy Spirit upon all who receive the sacred book, for the dead letter has no effect without the enlivening Spirit.

"We beg leave to subscribe ourselves, most respected Lords and Gentlemen, Your very faithful servants,

T. Hurst, President,

T. T. Sherlock, Sec.

J. Glennie, Vice-President, J. Lodge, Treasurer,

"Reply to the President of the Jamaica Auxiliary Bible Society of the People of Colour.

"Dear Sir,

Fulham, Aug. 21, 1813. "The address subscribed by yourself, the Vice-President, and other officers and members of the Jamaica Auxiliary Bible Society of the People of Colour; together with the contribution of 77£. 5s. Jamaica currency, with which it was accompanied, were duly received, through the hands of Mr. Thomas Jackson, of Liverpool, and presented to the Committee of the British and Fcreign Bible Society. The Committee received them with feelings of gratitude to God, and Christian sympathy for yourselves and the class of persons to which you belong. The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society consider the duty of their appointment as binding them to be kindly-affectioned towards all men, and to acknowledge the ties of brotherhood between themselves and all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.'

"Under the influence of this sentiment, the Committee instruct me to express their cordial thanks for the communication made by your Society, and the offering with which it was accompanied. They desire your Society further to accept the assurance of their friendly disposition towards your infant establishment, and of their wishes and prayers for its prosperity and success. Commending you and your associates to God, and to the word of his grace, and devoutly praying that the Scriptures may have free course and be glorified among you,

"I remain, dear Sir, very faithfully yours,

"JOHN OWEN, Secretary.”

"From the Secretary of the Auxiliary Society of the People of Colour, Jamaica, to Mr. Joseph Tarn, Assistant-Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, London.

"Dear Sir,

Kingston, Jamaica, July 6, 1816. "I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that I received

your communication, accompanied with extracts from the cor