1863. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 31 
only in three or four public libraries—but which our publications 
enable students to carry to their own homes for the extraction and 
elaboration of such materials as are useful to them each in his own 
branch of study. 
The series of Persian historians is one, in the progress of which I 
take a special interest, an interest borrowed from others, but not the 
less genuine for not being original. The late Sir H. Elliot and Mr. 
John Colvile, were the first movers, as is generally known, on behalf 
of the publication in question, which the active co-operation of Mr. EH. 
Thomas had just pressed into a project when the troubles of 1857 
caused all idea of it to be dropped. It was resumed some three years 
ago by the Philological Committee at the suggestion, I believe, of 
myself, since I, as your Secretary, had been all along in close com- 
munication with those friends whom I have just named. The first 
work, Tarikh-i Ferozshahi of Zia-i Barni, which the Committee un- 
dertook to recommend to the Council, was that which was to have 
opened the series under the auspices of the North-Western Govern- 
ment. I indulge in-the hope that much may yet be done towards 
carrying out not only thus partially, but in its entirety, the task to 
which Sir H. Elhot had devoted himself, and which was occupying 
him when he died. The mass of valuable materials which he had 
collected, ought not to be allowed to remain longer inaccessible to the 
many who desire to consult and profit by them. 
In the department of the natural sciences, the principal contribu- 
tion to the pages of our Journal is Mr. Blyth’s paper on the Asiatic 
species of Rhinoceros. Whether the views enunciated in this paper 
will find acquiescence from other naturalists, remains to be seen, but 
he has quite satisfied himself that the Soonderbun Rhinoceros is 
identical with the species of Java and Borneo. 
The Messrs. Blanford still continue their contributions to Indian 
malacology. Several interesting letters and reports on zoological 
subjects have been published in the intelligence department and 
proceedings of each issue of our Journal. In the latter too will be 
found the Council’s correspondence with the Government—so far as 
it has gone—on the proposed transfer of the Society’s Museum. 
In connexion with the Museum, I must express a regret which will 
be shared by many, at the causes which have deprived us for the time 
of the services of our zealous Curator. The Council, as you will be pre- 
