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Museum of Economic Geology cf India. By H. Piddington, Esq. 



Sir, 



I am authorised by the Committee of Papers of the Asiatic Society, to for- 

 ward to you the accompanying Memorandum relative to the Museum of Economic 

 Geology op india now forming, in the confident hope that you will personally, and 

 through your friends, kindly assist their views and those of Government, as far as lies 

 in your power. 



With respect to carriage of Specimens, such small ones as may not exceed tire usual 

 dawk banghy weight, say 500 Tolas, may be sent at once, addressed to the Secretary 

 of the Asiatic Society, and those above that weight dispatched by the nearest water 

 carriage, preferring the Steamers if obtainable. I am, Sir, 



Your obedient Servant, 



H. Piddington, 



Curator, Mus. Econ. Geology of India. 



Calcutta, 184 . 



The objects of the Museum of Economic Geology of India, which has been establish- 

 ed by Government at Calcutta, under orders from the Hon'ble the Court of Directors, 

 in conjunction with the Asiatic Society and at its Rooms, are the following: They are, 

 as scientific men will perceive, generally those of Economic Geologists in all countries, 

 but there are some peculiarities connected with India, and the situations of Europeans 

 in it, whjch will oblige us to go into a little detail, to explain to those who may not 

 already take an interest in these matters, our wants, our wishes, and our hopes of the 

 advantages which may accrue to the community from this new establishment. Its 

 objects then are briefly these : — 



1. To obtain the most complete Geological, Mineralogical, and Statistical knowledge 

 possible of all the mineral resources of India, wrought or unwrought, so as to make 

 them as publicly known as possible; to shew how they have been, or are now wrought, 

 or how they might be so to the best advantage. 



2. To obtain a complete set of specimens, models, and drawings, relative to the 

 Mining operations, Metallurgical processes, and Mineral manufactures of all kinds, of 

 India and of Europe and America ; so as to afford to the public information of every 

 thing which can be turned to account here or in Europe, and perhaps prevent loss of 

 time, waste of capital, and disappointment to the Indian speculator. 



3. To furnish the Engineer and Architect with a complete collection of all the mate- 

 rials, natural or artificial, which are now, or have formerly been used for buildings, 

 cements, roads, &c. and of all which may possibly be useful in this department, whether 

 European or Indian. 



4. To collect for the Agriculturalist, specimens of all kinds of soils remarkable for 

 their good or bad qualities, with the subsoil, subjacent rocks, &c. and by examination 

 of these, to indicate their various peculiarities and the remedies for their defects. 



5. To collect for Medical men, the waters of mineral springs, mineral drugs, &c. &c. 





