382 Queries and Answers. 



answer 4 to his queries respecting the Nondescript, that 

 I intentionally enveloped it in mystery, on account of the 

 illiberality of the British Treasury.* I had spent many 

 years in trying to improve the common defective manner 

 in which specimens of natural history are prepared for 

 museums. I succeeded beyond expectation, and was doomed 

 to pay for my discoveries to the uttermost mite. Dis- 

 satisfied with the contents of the letter from the Treasury, 

 and annoyed at the long detention of the collection at the 

 custom house, I abandoned the plan, which I had conceived, 

 of giving a full and detailed account to the public, of an 

 entirely new mode, which I had invented, of preparing 

 quadrupeds, birds, insects, and serpents, upon scientific 

 principles. But, in order that the public might have some 

 idea of what I had done, I chose the Nondescript for the 

 frontispiece to the Wanderings; calculating that its ap- 

 pearance would give rise to much investigation by naturalists, 

 especially by those who are connected with museums. All 

 visiters are allowed to examine the original for any length of 

 time, and are furnished with a magnifying glass, if required. 

 I feel certain, quite certain, that no museum in the world 

 possesses a similar specimen. 



Should there be any expression in the Wanderings (but I 

 think there is not) by which the reader may be induced to 

 imagine that I wish to pass off this extraordinary thing, 

 either for the head of a man, "os homini sublime," or for 



that of an ape, " simia ! quam similis, turpissima bestia 



nobis;" it is my earnest desire that the expression may be 

 considered null and void. My sole object has been, to leave 

 the thing in absolute doubt; and I have no wish whatever 

 that it should pass for any other thing than that which the 

 reader himself may wish it to pass for. Not considering 



myself anywise pledged to its identity, I leave it entirely to 



• j 



(Copy.) 



* Gentlemen, Treasury Chambers, 18 May, 1821. 



The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, having had under 

 their consideration your report of the 10th, on the application of Mr. Charles 

 Waterton for the delivery, duty free, of some birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, 

 and insects, collected by him in Guiana, and recently imported from De- 

 merara, I have it in command to acquaint you that my Lords have informed 

 Mr. Waterton that, if he will specify the articles which he intends to give 

 to public institutions, my Lords will not object to their being delivered 

 duty free; but that, with regard to the specimens intended for his own or 

 any private collection, they can only be delivered on payment of the ad 

 valorem duty of 20 per cent ; and I am to desire you will give the neces- 

 sary directions to your officers at Liverpool in conformity thereto. 



I am, &c. 



Commissrs. Customs. (Signed) J. R. Lushington. 



