66 Asiatic Society. [No. 109. 



of Directors; leaving the other under their care as his private property. This 

 box has recently (February) been sent, under your directions, to Mrs. Pemberton. 



My report of February also mentions, that in that month I had received from Col. 

 Macleod two boxes, being Geological Specimens collected by Capt. Pemberton 

 on his Bootan Mission ; but without any catalogue. On these you will doubtless 

 take the orders of Government. Dr. McClelland in his note mentions the collections 

 of the Assam Deputation. On reference to Dr. Wallich, he informs me that he has 

 reported on this subject to Government. 



My report of February last also states, what had been found to be the sad con- 

 dition of the three cases forwarded from Umballa by Mr. Clark, and just received 

 at the Museum, where I had recognised the collection as being that made by 

 Sir Alexander Burnes during his mission to Scinde. You will doubtless take 

 the orders of Government on this collection also. The Society is thus, I trust com- 

 pletely acquitted of any negligence or detention of any collection which has come 

 into its hands of late years. 



III. — The assistance which may be afforded by the Society to facilitate the early des- 

 patch of collections made by Government Officers. 



It appears from the foregoing statements, that the Society, in the case of Dr. 

 Helfer's and Capt. Pemberton's collections have, really in every respect forestalled 

 the wishes of the Honourable Court, by assisting as far as possible in the early 

 dispatch of them. It is unnecessary here to refer again to its resolution, as already 

 quoted at par. 2, when speaking of the relations in which it stands towards the Ho- 

 nourable the Court. 



IV. — The assistance which may be afforded by the Society towards the completion 

 of the Court's Museum. 



In reference to this matter, the Society has also done itself the honour to forestall 

 in some respect the views of the Right Honourable the Governor General in Council, 

 by its resolution and by our first dispatch of duplicates of birds andsnakes, and of Lieut. 

 Hutton's valuable Geological series from the Himalaya and Spiti Valley. If desired, 

 it might employ a few taxidermists at the expence of Government, who could be sent 

 at a small expence with gentlemen desirous of contributing to the knowledge of Indian 

 Natural History, and under zealous amateurs, many of whom are now deterred by 

 their want of knowledge, or want of time, or the expence, much might doubtless be 

 done. 



I may be excused in remarking in conclusion that it is clear that, in relation to 

 the Natural Sciences, as in every thing else, if India had all that she requires from 

 Europe, and Europe all that she wants from India, both must be immeasurably bene- 

 fitted. In nothing then, surely, can a scientific body like the Asiatic Society, be 

 more honourably employed than in promoting even the smallest fraction of such an 

 exchange; and in nothing could it, in its sphere, more effectually confer lasting 

 benefit on India. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 

 Calcutta, Your's obediently, 



Asiatic Society's Rooms, H. Piddington, 



l&tk March, 1841. Acting Curator, As. Soc. Museum. 



