1839.] Asiatic Society. 151 



Museum. 

 King and Queen of White Ants, presented by W. Storm, Esq. 



Physical. 

 The Secretary read the following correspondence which took place with Govern- 

 ment regarding Major Hay's collection of Natural History Specimens. 

 Copy of the letter addressed to Government, pursuant to the recommendation of the 

 Committee of Papers. 

 To H. T. Prinsep, Esq. 

 Secretary to the Government of India, General Department. 

 'Sir, 

 • I am directed by the Asiatic Society to request that you will submit to his Honor 

 the President the accompanying copies, 1st, of a letter from Major Hay, relative to his 

 Museum of objects of Natural History ; 2d, of a report by a Special Committee of the 

 Asiatic Society appointed to examine that collection. 



' In submitting these documents to the notice of his Honor in Council, the Asiatic 

 Society direct me to add a statement of their views on the several subjects referred to 

 by Major Hay and the Sub-Committee. 



' In the opinion of the Asiatic Society, the collection imported by Major Hay is of 

 the highest value, in a scientific point of view. It not only affords to the naturalists 

 of India standard specimens for reference in pursuit of their numerous researches, but it 

 possesses the still greater value of being available for the introduction of the systematic 

 study of Natural History among the Natives of Bengal, a study impracticable without 

 the aid of such a collection, and indispensable as a preliminary measure to the full in- 

 vestigation of the Zoology and Natural History of our Indian possessions. 



' The duplicates contained in Major Hay's collection would, moreover, serve the two- 

 fold end of completing the Museum of the Court of Directors in London, and of procur- 

 ing for India exchanges of valuable objects neither comprised in Major Hay's collec- 

 tion, nor indigenous in this country. 



' The Society while thus fully aware of the valuable opportunity now afforded for the 

 promotion of the study of Natural History in India, are not insensible to the difficulties 

 which oppose themselves to the procural of Major Hay's Museum. The estimate of its 

 pecuniary value, submitted by the proprietor, far exceeds the resources of the Society, 

 or any subscriptions which might be collected among individuals anxious to promote 

 the object in view. 



' It seems possible still that were the Government to extend its patronage and pecuni- 

 ary aid to the Museum, that the current efforts of the Society and of individual sub- 

 scribers might lead to the accomplishment of some arrangement which would secure the 

 acquisition of this Museum for Bengal. 



' In the event of such measures being adopted, the Society will gladly apply their es- 

 tablishment to the custody of the Museum, and they pledge themselves at all times to 

 facilitate the application thereof to the furtherance of the chief end of its acquisition, 

 namely, the instruction of the Natives of Bengal in the several subjects, such collec- 

 tions are capable of illustrating. For this purpose the Museum might be held available 

 for the illustration of lectures in Natural History, delivered at any Government Institu- 

 tion in Calcutta, such precautions being taken as would secure it from injury or loss. 



' I am directed finally to refer to your letter of the 26th July, 1838, in which 

 you state "that the Governor General of India in Council will be ready to receive 

 from the Society recommendations for the purchase or other procurement of objects of 

 more than common interest, of which the Society may receive information, and for 

 the obtainmcnt of which it may want the necessary funds." 



'The Society most respectfully represent the present occasion as one eminently de- 

 serving of the patronage of the Government, in the spirit of the views expressed in the 

 preceding extract.' I have, &c. 



' 7th Jan. 1838.' W. B. O'SHAUGHNESSY. 



