1839.] Asiatic Society. 153 



vinces to join my regiment, forming a portion of the army of the Indus, it now became 

 a serious consideration what was to become of all I had with so much labour and anxi- 

 ety amassed together. 



' With only ten days to remain in Calcutta, honor pointed out to me but one course, 

 which was to expose the whole for inspection, and eventual sale in satisfaction of my 

 creditors. This I have done, and the greater portion is now to be seen at the rooms of 

 Moore, Hickey, and Co. Up to the time of my leaving, I had however found it impos- 

 sible to unpack, and expose for view in a secure place, the valuable portion of skins ; 

 but, although I have no list of the whole, I beg to forward a list of those now exposed for 

 sale, the remainder are in various boxes in the godowns of Moore, Hickey, and Co. and 

 at my own agent's, John Lowe and Co. 



1 My great desire is, that if this Museum is sold, it should be disposed of to some 

 Public Society, or to any number of persons who would allow it to remain as a Museum 

 for public reference. 



' I have estimated the expense of the whole at thirty thousand rupees : but my sole 

 wish is to realise a suffice to pay my debt, and with this view I offer it to the Asiatic 

 Society. 



' My original intention was to have exhibited it, and have demanded one rupee for 

 the entrance of each person to defray its expenses, after which I should have handed 

 it over to one of the Public Societies gratis. 



' From the published proceedings of your Society, I glean that you are not in the habit 

 of expending large sums of money on specimens, but nevertheless you might probably 

 do me the honor at an early meeting of your Society to bring the matter forward ; and a 

 discussion on your part might bring it to the notice of Government, or it might assist 

 me in disposing of what may be on my return from Cabul a mere wreck, from want of 

 a little care. 



' I beg also to notice, that just one year ago I despatched from Cape Town into the 

 Namaqua country an intelligent man, furnished with a waggon and oxen, and every 

 necessary for the purpose of collecting. Up to the latest accounts he had not returned. 

 The expense incurred in fitting out the expedition amounted to nearly four hundred 

 pounds, and upon his return I am entitled, without paying any thing more, to the half 

 of every thing, which I will add free of expense to any Society or parties who may 

 purchase the whole Museum; and as the man deputed was formerly with Captain Alex- 

 ander on his travels, and at the same time an experienced person in preparing skins, &c. 

 it is probable that he will return with many of great interest and value. 



• I shall now proceed to forward catalogues of the specimens in Calcutta, forming the 

 Museum. ' I have the honor to be, Sir, 



' Your most obedient servant, 



'WILLIAM E. HAY.' 



' P.S. I have succeeded in getting lists of the mounted specimens printed, but not of 

 the skins, which must be forwarded hereafter. I have added one sheet of the skins, but 

 time will not admit of more.' 



Report of a Special Committee of the Asiatic Society on the Zoological Collection re- 

 cently introduced to India by Major W. E. Hay. 



' In estimating the value of this collection, your Committee beg to state that they 

 must be guided by different considerations from those by which they would be in- 

 fluenced were the objects comprising it indigenous to India. 



' The collection has been made in Africa, South America, and the Straits composing 

 the Molucca islands; many of the objects it contains are the result of Dr. A. Smith's 

 mission to the interior of South Africa, other parts of it were collected under the 

 direction of M. Verreaux, and the rest by Major Hay himself, aided by M. Ycrreaux in 



