Adam's Peak by two Members of the Expedition.--The Sacred Footprint.--Descent.--The "Bullock-bandy," or Native Waggon.-- Departure from Galle for Madras.--The Bassos (Shallows).--A Berlin Rope-dancer among the Passengers.--Nyctalopia; or, Night Blindness.--Fire on Board.--Arrival in Madras Roads. 345 CHAPTER IX. MADRAS. "Catamarans" and "Masuli" Boats.--Difficulty of Disembarkation, and Plans for remedying it.--History.--Brahminism.--Festival in Honour of Vishnù.--Employment of Heathens under a Christian Government.--Politics and Religion.--Laws of Brahminic Faith.-- The Observatory.--Museum of Natural History and Zoological Garden.--Academy of Fine Arts.--Medical School.--Infirmary.-- Orphan Asylum.--Dr. Bell.--Lancastrian Method of Teaching Children first Applied in Madras.--Colonel Mackenzie's Collection of Indian Inscriptions and MSS.--The Palace of the former Nabob of the Coromandel Coast.--Journey by Rail to Vellore.--_Féte_ given by the Governor in Guindy Park.--Visit to the Monolithic Monuments of Mahamalaipuram.--Excursion to Pulicat Lake.--Madras Club.--_Féte_ in Honour of the Members of the _Novara_ Expedition.--"Tiffin" and Dance on Board.-- Departure from Madras.--Zodiacal Light.--Shrove Tuesday in the Tropics.--Arrival at the Island of Kar-Nicobar. 424 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. VOL. I. PAGE The Track Of The Austrian Imperial Frigate Novara. _frontispiece_ Letter. iii Letter Continued. iv Notes. xvi Departure. 1 Gun-room of the _Novara_. 4 Plate: Vertical Section of the Frigate "Novara". 7 Geodetical and Astronomical Instruments. 10 Look-out Man. 11 Track from Triest To Madeira. 11 "Palinurus". 16 Seamen off duty. 21 View of Gibraltar from Seaward. 28 Rock of Gibraltar. 29 Rock Cavern in Gibraltar. 34 South Gate, Gibraltar. 38 Inhabitant of Frangola. 47 Cape Trafalgar. 52 Loo Rock (Madeira). 57 Scene in Madeira. 58