An account of the various versions of the Panchittantra will be found in the Retrospective Review, Vol. III. The English Encylopædia has also an interesting sketch of the work, from which the fullowing extract may be given: “ F'ables and taules in which animals are introduced us auctors, tund in which moral principles and maxims of prudence are inculcuted by example and precept, secin froin all carly age to have bocn current anong the Hindus. Several Collectious of such stories, written in Sanskrit, are still in existence. The oldest of theini, aliud evidently tlie pilrent stock of the Fables of Bidpai, is the work known in India under the naine of the “ Panchatantra."
To this may be added the testimony of Professor Robertso11, who Nuys, thaut " it is in such high esteem throughout the Eust that it has been translated into every dialect spoken there."
