174 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, fyc. [No. 110. 



My Dear Torrens, — I have been honored by Dr. Wm. Edwards, 

 whose celebrity as the author of more than one important Physiological 

 work must be well known to you, with a communication relative to the 

 establishment of a ' Sociele E thnologique* at Paris, of which I feel proud 

 in having an opportunity of submitting an outline to the notice of the 

 Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



My distinguished friend desires to call my attention to a subject which 

 he says he has close at his heart. He has reminded me of the fact, that 

 he has established at Paris an Ethnological Society. It is composed of 

 distinguished and able members, and is going on remarkably well. He 

 then goes on to say, that his wish is to have some of the most eminent 

 scientific men an Calcutta named as members of the Society. He desires 

 that the names may be limited to four or five. 



Directions for travellers have been drawn up and published compri- 

 sing every point in Ethnology. A few copies have been forwarded and 

 I now do myself the pleasure of placing a couple at the disposal of the 

 Society. 



Dr. Edwards alludes to three things that he is solicitous about. The 

 possession of drawings, principally outlines, with very little shade, of the 

 best characterized heads of the Indian races; men and women, If by 

 any possibility casts could be taken, another great benefit would be con- 

 ferred, and lastly, skulls, which Dr. Edwards hopes may without great di- 

 fficulty be collected. If cases die in hospital, and opportunities occur 

 for possessing the skull, he wishes much that a drawing of the Indian 

 front, of the natural size, should be made in order to arrive at an accurate 

 knowledge of the relation which existed betwen the skull and the fea- 

 tures. 



Dr. Edwards asks as a favor if he could be put in possession of any draw- 

 ings of Indian races ; — for them, he says, the Ethnological Society of 

 Paris would feel deeply grateful. 



1 send you these outlines, with the hope, that by giving publicity to the 

 objects and intentions of the Ethnological Society at Paris, through so 

 scientific a body as the Asiatic Society, assistance may be rendered the 

 physiologists of Paris in the pursuit in which they are engaged 



You will see the particulars more in detail in the two accompanying 

 brochures of general Instructions, which perhaps you will oblige me by 

 laying before the Meeting of the Society to-night. 



