Mr. J. M*^Clelland on Indian Cyprinidae. 199 



ever known, as far as I am aware, of the existence of Cyprins 

 in New Holland, or any of the Polynesian Islands*. In India 

 the fishes of several of the great rivers yet remain to be in- 

 vestigated, as those of the Irrawaddi, the Indus, and the Ner- 

 budda. A collection of drawings of the fishes of the Indus, 

 prepared during a scientific mission under Capt. Burnes, has 

 recently been deposited in the museum of the Asiatic Society ; 

 and Mr. Griffith, to whom every branch of science is as dear 



* Tliis and other blanks in our knowledge of the animals of New Hol- 

 land are now about to be supplied by Rlr. MacLeay himself, who, in Au- 

 gust last, embarked with the intention of pursuing researches in every de- 

 partment of the natural history of New Holland. On his departure from 

 England, Mr. MacLeay intimated his desire to receive at Sydne}', where he 

 may remain for three or four j-ears, insects, Crustacea, and other neglected 

 objects of a similar nature from India, in exchange for the productions of 

 New South Wales, which he would be happy to supply. Few who enter- 

 tain a just pride for the scientific character of our country, which Mr. Mac- 

 Leay has been the means of elevating, would require the stipulation pro- 

 posed to induce them to forward the views of one of our countrymen who 

 has already been the means of exalting zoological pursuits to the highest 

 place among intellectual occupations. Considering the intimate intercourse 

 now established between Calcutta and Sydne}-, it is to be hoped that an ap- 

 peal to India from such a quarter will not have been made in vain, and that 

 all who are interested in the advancement of natural history will collect and 

 forward whatever objects their particular localities may afford, with a view 

 to facilitate the researches of the illustrious author of ' Horee Entomologicge.' 

 Mr. MacLeay writes from London, 12th August 1838 : " I am now on the eve 

 of embarking for Sydney, where I intend to remain for the next three or 

 four years ; and what I would ask of you is, to exchange invertebrated ani- 

 mals, collected in India, as the Annelida, Annulosa, Cirripedes, Radiata, 

 and Acrita, for other objects collected in New Holland ; insects, spiders, 

 and Crustacea of India I at present desire above all, and shall feel obliged 

 by any notes on their metamorphosis or ceconomy. With regard to such 

 notes, I need not say I shall bear in mind the axiom 'Suiim culque.' If you 

 will point out your particular desiderata in natural history, I will endeavour 

 to add to your collections." 



Mr. Swainson also writes as follows : — "At present I am engaged in 

 ichthyological volumes , but as these will be published before you would 

 have time to render me any assistance, I will rather entreat your aid in the 

 class of Insects, which will next succeed in the ' Cabinet of Natural History.' 

 My cabinet is remarkably deficient in tiie entomology of India, particularly 

 among the smaller and less showy species. The best way of preserving 

 beetles or coleopterous insects, as well as spiders, is by putting them into 

 spirits ; all other insects should be stuck upon cork. Common bazaar spirits 

 answers the purpose of preserving insects very well, if it be strong enough 

 to burn, which it would be well to try always before trusting to it; and in- 

 stead of cork, remarkably light and convenient trays may be made of a com- 

 mon species of jEschij>iome?ie, called in Bengal Sola, and may be made so 

 that a number of them fit into a box. The paste with which the Sola is 

 fastened might be poisoned, and a little camphor rolled up in thin paper 

 placed in each tray as a security against ants. I shall be bappy to afford 

 my aid to any friends of science in India, by forwarding any collections that 

 may be entrusted to me for the eminent persons who have applied to us." 



