154 Asiatic Society. [Feb. 



determining most of the species ; so that the collection comprises many of the most 

 remarkable forms from quarters of the world from which the Society have hitherto 

 received no contributions, and with which persons residing in India could only be- 

 come acquainted through the medium of books. 



1 The value of a collection that places it in our power here, to become acquainted 

 with several hundred animals which otherwise we should only know by their published 

 descriptions, must obviously be great ; for so long as this country remains without such 

 collections in every department of Natural History, so long must we be deficient in one 

 of the first requisites for advancement in the higher branches of natural science. 



' Major Hay's collection has yet another peculiar recommendation to us in this coun- 

 try, which elsewhere, perhaps, would be of less importance ; namely, that most of its 

 contents have been identified by Dr. Smith and M. Verreaux, so that the species it 

 contains would be so many land-marks to which we could safely refer in the classifica- 

 tion of the animals of this country — an object which still in a great measure remains to 

 be accomplished. 



' Such being our views of the importance of Major Hay's Zoological Collection, we 

 are of opinion that the pecuniary estimate of its value, referred to in Major Hay's 

 letter to the Society, is not over-rated ; but we regret that in the present condition of 

 the Society in regard to disposable funds, we cannot recommend so great an outlay. 



'As, however, the safety of this valuable collection is an object worthy of our solici- 

 tude, we beg to recommend that the rooms of the Society be offered- for its reception, 

 that it might be at once safely and economically exhibited on the part of Major Hay, 

 or those into whose hands it may have fallen. 



' Were such an offer to be accepted, instead of being exposed to injury in a public 

 sale room, without the necessary attention from persons accustomed to such a charge, 

 the collection might be much augmented in value by the exchange of duplicates with 

 the Society. In recommending this course, we are guided equally by all interests 

 concerned, for while we form the very highest estimate of the value of the collection, in 

 a scientific point of view, we cannot but regret to think that if it were put up for sale, it 

 would barely realise the expenses which have been perhaps already incurred by its ex- 

 hibition. 



' D. M'LEOD, 



< W. CRACROFT, 



' J. M'CLELLAND, 



< GEO. EVANS.' 

 No. 72. 



The Officiating Secretary to the Asiatic Society. 

 ' Genl. Dept. 



' Sir, — I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 7th instant, 

 forwarding copies of a letter from Major Hay, relative to his Museum of objects of 

 Natural History, and of a report by a Special Committee of the Asiatic Society, 

 appointed to examine that collection. 



"2nd. In reply, I am directed to state, that the President in Council cannot regard 

 a collection of prepared Birds, and other animals, as falling within the class of objects 

 which the Government of India expressed its readiness to receive from the Society 

 recommendations to purchase, or otherwise procure. Such preparations have always 

 appeared to Government to be too perishable to be made objects of collection in a 

 climate like that of Bengal, and fall within the exception referred to in the last para- 

 graph of my letter, dated the 26th July, 1837. His Honor in Council cannot therefore 

 entertain the proposition that the Government should purchase Major Hay's extensive 

 collection of objects of Natural History, but would suggest that the specimens are better 

 adapted for the Museums of Europe, where the climate is less destructive. 



' I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 



' H. T. PRINSEP, 

 ' Council Chamber, the 6th Jan. 1839.' ' Secy, to the Govt, of India.' 



