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REPORT OF THE FIRST TWO MEETINGS OF THE 

 BALUCHISTAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, QUETTA. 



The invitation issued by the Hon'ble Major Sir Henry McMahon, to such 

 of the Officers in the station as were interested in Zoology and Botany to 

 meet him in the Library and Museum building on the afternoon of the 10th 

 June, was responded to by a large number of gentlemen. 



A visit was first paid to the portion of the building allotted to the Museum 

 and, doubtless to the surprise of many, it was found to contain some exceed- 

 ingly valuable and interesting exhibits which formed a fair show considering 

 the short space of time that had elapsed since the building was opened. It 

 might interest some of the public to know that the Museum is already in 

 possession of numerous specimens of arts and manufacture, agricultural 

 implements, models of boats and fishing tackle, &c, from Ormara, and 

 ancient pottery and coins colle ;ted in the country by Mr. Hughes Buller and 

 other members of the Gazetteer Office ; a large and valuable collection of 

 minerals, properly classified and labelled, presented by Colonel J. Day for 

 the special object of inducing the local public to take up the study of 

 mineralogy; a fine collection of sea shells presented by Colonel W. St. L. 

 Chase, V.C., C.B., himself a member of the Museum Committee ; a large 

 coll ction presented by Mr. J. W. N. dimming of the eggs of birds, most of 

 which, if not residents of ihe Province, are regular visitors to some part of 

 the enormous area of which it is composed ; a small collection of local 

 botanical specimens contributed by the Baluchistan Forest Department ; 

 a very good collection indeed of works on Natural History received by 

 donation from Sir Henry McMahon and Colonol C. E. Yate or by transfer 

 from t e offices of the Hon'ble the Agent to the Governor-General and the 

 Superintendent of District Gazetteers, and some lew butterflies and snakes, 

 fossils, pottery, coins, &c, collected in the country either by members of 

 the Museum or others interested in it. 



So that it was not surprising if a little time elapsed before the business of 

 the evening could be en ered upon, for which purpose all present were invited 

 into the Library where there was ample seating accommodation. Here the 

 Hon'ble Sir Henry McMahon, after thanking the gentlemen for responding 

 so encouragingly to his invitation, explained briefly the object of the meeting. 

 The substance of his address was : — 



That there were many in Quetta interested in Zoology and Botany, some 

 possessing a wide knowledge, others expert specialists in certain particular 

 bran hes, while others again were anxious and willing to assist if only 

 shown the way. Sir Henry's primary object was to find out who we have in 

 Quetta of the above classes and to give them an opportunity of meeting and 

 knowing each other as such, as much disappointment had been experienced by 

 many in the past owing to different experts having worked in, and again left 

 the country, each ignorant of the existence of others of similar tastes whoBe 



