In this connection, Captain Yule has an interesting note to the first chapter of his narrative:--"There seems to turn up now and then in the science of the Buddhists a very curious parody, as it were, or chance suggestion, of some of the great truths or speculations of modern science; just as there are circumstances of their religion which seem to run parallel with circumstances and forms of Christianity or Christian churches, and which made the old Jesuit fathers think that the Devil had, of malice aforethought, prepared these travesties of Christian rites and mysteries among the heathen, in order to cast ridicule on the Church, and bar her progress. An example of what I allude to is found here, as regards electricity, in their apparent knowledge of the non-conducting power of glass. In the Buddhist theory of the universe, we have an infinity of contemporary systems, each provided with its sun and planets, analogous to the commonly received opinion of the plurality of worlds. We have also their infinite succession of creations and destructions by fire or water, analogous to a formerly popular geological theory. They hold the circulation of the blood, after a fashion. The King's conversations at Amarapoora indicated his belief in the atomic constitution of the body, and of the existence of a microscopic world, though his illustrations were not accurate. And when Mr. Crawfurd published his account of fossil elephant bones from the Irrawaddi, Colonel Burney tells us that the Burmese philosophers expressed much satisfaction at the discovery, as establishing the doctrine of their books. These taught that in former times there were ten species of elephants, but that the smallest species alone survived." The King inquired who of the English gentlemen were then present. _Woondouk._ "There are Captain Yule, the Secretary to the Mission (_Letya Bogyee_, or right-hand chief); Dr. Forsyth (_Tshaya Woon_, or supreme over the teachers); Professor Oldham, the geologist (_Kyouk Tshaya_, or rock teacher); and Major Allan (_Meaday Woon_ and _Mhan Byoung Bo_, telescope officer)." _King._ "Major Allan is a good man. Does he speak Burmese?" "A little, your Majesty." "Not so much as the Envoy, I suppose. He should study. Parrots, by diligence, learn languages. Have you parrots that can speak English?" _Envoy._ "We have, your Majesty." "And we have parrots that even understand writing. What stones is the Rock Teacher acquainted with?" "He knows all kinds, your Majesty." "In my country there are mountains, along the side of which if horses, elephants, or men go, a green shadow is cast on their bodies. Your black coat would appear green there. How does he explain this?" Professor Oldham suggested that it might arise from copper on the surface. "No, it cannot be that, as the copper is not seen. I think it results from emeralds below."[10] _To Dr. Forsyth._ "How many elementary substances are there in the human body?" _Dr. F._ "Four substances."