40 Presidenfs Address, [Feb. 



This grant from the Government of India was intimated to you in a 

 note attached to the President's address of last year, and I think the thanks 

 of the Society are due to the Government of India for the equitable decision 

 arrived at and for the grant given. 



The Council have been, and are now, in communication with the Secre- 

 tary to the Government of Bengal, Public Works Department, (in whose pro- 

 vince the construction of the Museum Building rests) regarding the detail 

 arrangements of that part of the building which is, under the Act, to afford 

 fit accommodation for the Society. 



It does not appear that when the building was designed, any specifica- 

 tion was drawn out, while it is certain that nothing but the drawings of the 

 bare shell of the building were submitted to the Council of the Society. This 

 has been represented, and a complete specification, describing all those details 

 that are absolutely necessary to render the building fitted for the specific 

 purpose of accommodating the Society, is being drawn out, and the Council 

 have no doubt but that the Society will find the accommodation liberally 

 provided and all that can be desired. 



During the past year, the Society have lost the services of our late 

 able Secretary, Dr. Stoliczka. It will be remembered that early in the 

 year the Council learning that the Government of India contemplated 

 sending a Mission to Yarkand, and following the former practice of 

 the Society, addressed Government with ofiers of co-operation and as- 

 sistance in furthering the Scientific objects of the Mission. The offer of 

 the Society was cordially received, and a Memorandum of Subjects of 

 Scientific observation was drawn out and furnished to Government for use 

 of the expedition. Some short time afterwards the Council, looking 

 to the great difficulties that would be met in securing and forwarding 

 sufficient geological specimens from Yarkand, made a representation to the 

 Government of India, and pointed out the necessity of attaching to the 

 expedition a Palaeontologist in order that in the event of it not being found 

 practicable to secure and forward to India sufficient geological specimens, 

 his special knowledge might come to his aid, and he might still be able to 

 secure and bring with him such information as will enable the solving of the 

 geological problems of the countries through which he passes. 



The Government of India accepted the suggestion, and appointed Dr. 

 Stoliczka to accompany the expedition. Several letters have been received 

 from the Camp and it was some time since with great regret and anxiety 

 that the Council heard of the intense sufferings and dangerous illness of Dr. 

 Stoliczka in the journey across the higher passes. 



A letter received a few days ago from Dr, Stoliczka and dated Yarkand, 

 shews us that his determined spirit has carried him through all his difficul- 

 ties, and it is with great pleasure that I can announce to the Society his 

 return to comparative health. 



