172 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, 8ce. [No. 110. 



knowledged genera of minerals being about 360 in number ; Mr. Dodd's 

 collection comprises thus about one half of the whole and generally of 

 the most useful for reference. 



With this collection and those in the Society's cabinet, we should be 

 able to from a nearly perfect series, which is in this country a great scien- 

 tific desideratum, for but few have the time, or the knowledge required to 

 enter upon a chemical examination of a mineral, and comparison with 

 the specimens of a well arranged cabinet will in very many cases ob- 

 viate the necessity of this. The duplicates also will not be useless if (as 

 suggested 1 think in one of my previous reports) they be used in the for- 

 mation of • Cabinets of Instruction' for the Hindoo, Medical and other 

 Colleges and public establishments, whenever it may be thought proper 

 to furnish them with such. 



As far as I am acquainted with the prices of such things at home — 

 though in this respect my knowledge is very limited, I should judge that 

 the price asked is not excessive, and we may possibly obtain it at a cheaper 

 rate. 



I have the honor to remain, 

 Sir, your obedient servant, 



H. PlDDINGTON. 



Assistant Curator Asiatic Society. 



Museum, 1 7th April, 1841. 



Resolved that a copy of Mr. Piduington's report be submitted for the 

 information of Government, in reply to Mr. Bushby's Letter No. 270 of 

 the 24th March 1841. 



Read a letter from Captain F. Jenkins, of 1st April 1841, requesting 

 to be supplied with extra Copies of Lt. Tickell's papers on the ' Ho' 

 language for comparison with the numerous languages current within the 

 valley of Gowhatti, and to trace the dialects connected with the Tibetan 

 stock, and the Shan branch. Captain Jenkins writes, ' that the most distinct 

 language in all this Frontier seems to be the Garrow, as its compound 

 and polysyllabic character appears to separate it entirely from the Eastern 

 languages, and yet it does not appear to have the least connection with 

 the Hindu family of languages. The Garrows are isolated from all their 

 neighbours in regard to languages, their country is but a small one; 

 whence they come and how they remain in so small a space, are very 

 interesting questions ; and with them as with any others on this Frontier, 

 the languages are likely to be entirely lost before any philologists arise to 

 determine whence they spring. Captain Jenkins concludes his communi- 

 cation with some account of the Rajahs of Cachar. 





