xviii Re-port on the Zoological Survey of India 



according to the way the sounds are produced into (1) string in- 

 struments, (2) wind instruments, (3) instruments of percussion. This 

 classification, though not entirely scientific, is convenient and easily 

 understood by a wider public. Among the string instruments it is 

 especially instructive to trace their origin back to the hunting bow, 

 the prototype of the harp. In the one-stringed beggar instruments, 

 used to this day all over India, I believe to have found a type, which 

 in the countries round the Mediterranean led to the lyre. Of special 

 interest are the typically Indian string instruments of the " Kinnar " 

 and northern Vina type in their interesting use of the gourd as sound- 

 board. 



Among the instruments of percussion I should like to mention the 

 unique collection of wooden instruments — sound-boards, bells, etc. 

 The collection of drums is probably unparalleled in its wealth of 

 varieties. 



The collection suffered from one disease, which — I am compelled 

 to say — ^has spread all over the Section ; I mean an abnormal conges- 

 tion. The only way out of the difficulty is to divide the collections 

 into (1) show collections, representing the main types, (2) collections 

 for special study. The collections under No. 1 should be exhibited 

 in the gallery with a suitable catalogue ; not too many in each case 

 otherwise the receptive power of the visitor will soon get tired. 

 The collections for study should be carefully stored in a place where 

 they are accessible for specialists. This division can naturally only 

 be undertaken by an expert." 



Collections. 



The most important additions to the zoological collection made 



during the year are those obtained by officers of the department 



while -on tour. Their nature has already been 



Additions to the Zoo- indicated and I need refer here only to those 



logical collections. i. • i ,i i ,i 



that we nave obtamed through the generosity 



of private donors, our system of exchange being very largely in 

 abeyance for the present. 



The departure from India of His Excellency Lord Carmichael 

 of Skirling, late Governor of Bengal, has deprived the Survey of a 

 constant and most generous donor of Indian zoological material. 

 The specimens obtained by his collectors in the Darjihng district 

 and elsewhere have been of very great value. We have to thank 

 the following collectors, most of whom have also contributed in 

 former years, for a large number of interesting specimens : — 



Major P. P. Connor, I.M.S., for a miscellaneous collection from 

 Mesopotamia. 



Mr. C. • H. Dracott for a collection of butterflies and other 



insects from the E. Himalayas. 

 Mrs. A. Drake for spiders from Serampore, Bengal. 



