973 



Letter^ forwarding a paper on the formation of the Museum of Economic 

 Geology of India ^ from Captain Tremenheere, Engineers^ to H= 

 ToRRENs, Esq. Secretary to the Asiatic Society. 



Calcutta^ 21th January , 1841. 

 I have the honour to state for the information of the President and 

 Members of the Asiatic Society, that the collection of specimens form- 

 ing the basis of a Museum of Economic Geology, is placed in the room 

 which the Society has been pleased to appropriate to that purpose. 



I regret that my stay in Calcutta is so short that I shall be unable 

 to complete the labelling of the specimens before my departure for 

 Moulmein. The labels are, however, all prepared, and Mr. Piddington 

 has kindly undertaken to place them near to each specimen, so as to 

 render them distinctly legible. Corresponding printed numbers, which 

 are also ready, are to be affixed to the specimens themselves, the num- 

 bers now attached being only of a temporary description. 



To provide, as far as possible, for obtaining specimens of Indian 

 mineral products, &c., and to explain the principles and objects of a 

 Museum of this description, I have prepared a memorandum, in 

 which I have endeavoured to describe the substances which it is con- 

 sidered desirable to collect, and the indications by which localities, 

 which are likely to afford them may be traced in such a manner as to 

 require little or no previous acquaintance with mineralogy or geology, 

 to render contributions useful and illustrative. 



A similar communication has been made to the Government of 

 Bengal, with a view of increasing the collection of specimens suited to 

 the objects proposed ; and should your Society concur in the sugges- 

 tions contained in the paper herewith enclosed, its communication to 

 the corresponding members of your Society, may prove of service to 

 the Museum of Economic Geology, now forming. 



It is my intention, in compliance with a suggestion from Govern- 

 ment to that effect, to maintain a correspondence, during my absence, 

 with the Curator of your Museum, by which, and by personal com- 

 munication, on any occasional visit which I may make to Calcutta, I 

 shall be able to arrange for the disposal of specimens, which the Cura- 

 tor may receive, in furtherance of the views herein alluded to. 



