1 66 EXTINCT MONSTERS. 



the skeletons, besides obtaining specimens of all the reptiles which 

 inhabited that region. They were compelled to see and think for 

 themselves, while comparing and discriminating the different 

 recent and fossil bones, and reasoning on the laws of comparative 

 osteology, till at length they were fully prepared to appreciate the 

 lessons which they were taught by the works of Cuvier." 



In 1840 Captain Cautley presented his vast collection, the 

 result of ten years' unremitting labour and great personal outlay, 

 to the British Museum, the Geological Society having declined to 

 accept it, as it was beyond their means of accommodation. Its 

 extent and value may be estimated from the fact that it filled 214 

 large chests, the average weight of each of which amounted to 

 4 cwt., and that the charges on its transmission to England alone, 

 which were defrayed by the Government of India, amounted to 

 ;6o2. Dr. Falconer's selected collection was divided between 

 the India House and the British Museum ; the greater part was 

 presented to the former, but a large number of unique or choice 

 specimens, required to fill up blanks, were presented to the latter. 

 The greater part of the specimens in the British Museum were still 

 unarranged and embedded in their matrix. In 1844 a memorial 

 was presented to the Court of Directors of the Honourable East 

 India Company, pointing out the desirability of having the 

 specimens in the national collection prepared, arranged, and 

 displayed, and also of publishing an illustrated work, which 

 would convey to men of science in both hemispheres a knowledge 

 ot the contents of the Sivalik Hills, and suggesting Dr. Falconer 

 as the person most fitted to superintend the work. The Govern- 

 ment of the time, under Sir Robert Peel, made a grant of ^"1000 

 to enable the collection to be exhibited in the British Museum, 

 and Dr. Falconer was entrusted with the work. Besides this, a 

 large illustrated work, entitled Fauna Antiqua Sivalensis, was 

 begun, but owing to the demands upon Dr. Falconer's time, and 

 his subsequent death, this work was not completed, although nine 

 out of the twelve parts originally contemplated were finished. 



