

1840.] Museum of the Asiatic Society . 515 



own will, it will be impossible ever to prepare a catalogue to refer to 



the specimens, and be highly injurious to the institution. The changes 



made in the system of classification of the birds, by changing that of 



Vigors for that of Cuvier, are, so far as I can understand, hardly 



judicious ; and I have yet to learn, that the makers are safer guides 



in ornithology than Vigors and Horsfield. 



I have the honor to be, 



Sir, 



Your most obedient humble servant, 



J. T. PEARSON, 



Darjeeling, Member Asiatic Society. 



Uth June, 1840. 



Some difficulty was experienced in making a catalogue of the speci- 

 mens in the Museum of the Asiatic Society previously to the year 

 1835, owing to there being, in many instances, no record either of 

 the specimens themselves, or of their donors ; whenever the name of 

 the latter could be found out, it is given ; and in future each specimen 

 should be carefully registered, immediately it is received. 



In forming a catalogue of a daily increasing Museum, it is evident 

 it cannot be a systematic one. A numerical plan therefore is adopted, 

 in which the specimens are numbered according to the order in which 

 they come before the Curator. In the cabinet, however, a systematic 

 arrangement of the specimens will, as nearly as possible be followed, 

 and upon each a number placed, referring to the same number in the 

 catalogue. Thus the catalogue will be numerical; the arrangement 

 systematic. 



But should it be thought desirable, the Curator can, in each suc- 

 cessive edition, add a list of the specimens, arranged according to the 

 system or method followed, as an Appendix. 



The general system of classification adopted, is that of "La Regne 

 Animal," on account of its being at present that most in use. But par- 

 ticular branches of Zoology will be classified according to the system 

 best adapted to the present state of the science. In Birds, the classifi- 

 cation of Mr. Vigors will be followed, in Insects and Crustacea, that of 

 Latreille ; in Mollusca, that of Lamarck ; and in Mammalia, Rep dies, 

 and Fishes, that of Cuvier himself. 



