Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 143 



that their Curator should assiduously apply himself to the collection, 

 naming, and arrangement oi' all procurable specimens of the animal and 

 mineral kingdoms, than, that he should specially devote himself to the 

 minute elucidation of any sub-division of these subjects. By the elabo- 

 rate investigation of a group or family, he may doubtless distinguish 

 himself, and gain high individual reputation, but his utility to the 

 Society would be far greater, by his applying himself to the humbler 

 duties we have specified ; moreover, it appears to us that these duties are 

 in themselves more than sufficient to occupy the Curator's time, were it 

 even to be entirely devoted to their discharge. Our collection of mine- 

 rals is an utter chaos, though rich in anonymous specimens, valuable 

 in themselves as illustrations of abstract mineralogy, but devoid of in- 

 terest in a Geological or Geographical light, owing to the neglect with 

 which they have been treated by some preceding Curators. 



It appears to the Committee of Papers that the first object of the 

 Society, in remodelling its Museum, should be to form a grand collection 

 of minerals and fossils, illustrative of the Geology, Geography, and Pa- 

 leontology of our British Indian possessions. 



A few of the existing minerals and some superb fossils in our Muse- 

 um are available for this object, but it is clearly within the scope of the 

 Society's influence to" procure within a few months, collections of speci- 

 mens from every part of India, and in such numbers as would find the 

 Curator in ample employment. While waiting for these additions to 

 our collections, he should proceed to name and label those already in 

 our possession. There is no need for delay for the preparation of Cabi- 

 nets.* The specimens should be named, labelled, wrapped in paper 

 with a number affixed, and then packed in boxes until the cabinets are 

 ready. 



This duty the Committee think should supersede all others for the 

 first few months of the Curator's employment, meanwhile his subordi- 

 nates would conduct the arrangement of such specimens of the animal 

 kirgdom, as might require immediate attention. 



Duplicates of all specimens should be preserved for verification and 

 analysis. Triplicates should be retained where ever practicable, for 

 presentation to other Museums in exchange. 



The monthly reports should be a statement of progress in this duty, 

 and affording a catalogue of the minerals adjusted. The specimens 

 themselves should be exhibited to each Meeting. 



All correspondence connected with the Museum should pass through 

 the Secretary's office, in conformity with the practice of all similar 

 institutions. It seems to the Committee of Papers an anomalous and 

 inexpedient practice, to commit the whole management of exchanges 

 and similar transactions to the Curator. The suggestions of that offi- 



* Admirably consistent with the Secretary's note, Journal Asiatic Society 1839, 

 page 244, in which he declares it would be quite futile to do any thing in this de- 

 partment till cabinets be first provided. 



