1839.] Asiatic Society. 155 



Read a letter from Dr. Lord, dated Peshawar, 4th November 1838, forwarding two 

 boxes of specimens of Natural History, collected by him while he was attached to 

 Capt. Burnes's mission. 



Read a letter from J. G. Malcolmson, Esq. regarding M. Agassiz' opinions on 

 the erratic blocks of the Jura, &c. &c. 



Read a letter from Mr. Prichard to Mr. J. W. Grant, on the microscopic exami- 

 nation of lignite from Sandway. 



Notes on the dissection of the Arctonix Collaris, by Dr. Geo. Evans. 

 A paper on Artificial Hatching in Egypt, by M. Demas. 



Notes on a new genus of the Fissirostres, Todidce, Vigors, by Mr. B. H. Hodgson. 



On the conclusion of the business, the Officiating Secretary read the following report 

 from Col. D. M'Leod, Chief Engineer, on the best and most economical mode of ex- 

 tending the accommodation of the Society's House, with the view of having carried into 

 effect any additions and improvements that may be determined on, simultaneously 

 with the general repah-s of the building, now become absolutely necessary for its pre- 

 servation. 



Col. D. M'Leod, also forwarded two plans, No. 1 and 2, with his report, and an 

 estimate from Messrs. Sherriff and Co., the builders, amounting to rupees 10,664-15. 

 ' To the Officiating Secretary to the Asiatic Society. 



' Sir, — In compliance with the desire expressed at the last meeting of the Society, that 

 I would examine and report on the best and most economical means of extending the 

 accommodation of the Society's House, with the view of having carried into effect any 

 additions and improvements that may be determined on, simultaneously with the 

 general repairs of the building, now become absolutely necessary for its preservation, 

 I beg leave to state to you, for communication to the next meeting of our Society, that I 

 have repeatedly, and carefully examined the building in communication with Mr. 

 Rowe, the builder, and with reference to the extent of additional accommodation which 

 I am led to understand will soon be found desirable, if not indispensable, for the Society's 

 rapidly increasing collections in all departments. I have the honor to report my opinion 

 as follows : 



' 2nd. In addition to the ordinary repairs of cleaning up the interior and exterior of 

 the building, and painting, it has been ascertained that the decayed state of the stair, 

 case roof is such as to demand its immediate removal, and renewal; and it is, I believe, 

 generally agreed that a skylight in that apartment, or in the passage between it and 

 the Hall is indispensable, as the effect of the valuable collection of pictures placed there 

 is quite lost, from the absence of a proper or sufficient light. The roof of the staircase, 

 however, being about three feet higher than that of the passage, the light from the 

 former would in a great measure be intercepted by the architrave over the colonnade, 

 and would consequently be so far defective. I would therefore recommend its being 

 placed on the roof of the passage, in its centre, on a design (a drawing of which accom- 

 panies) now of general adoption in the Department of Public Works, and which I have 

 always found to answer the purpose extremely well, and to continue water proof. The 

 cost of such a skylight, measuring eight feet by six feet, as appears by Mr. Rowe's 

 estimate, will only amount to Rs. 150. 



' 3rd. It was also I believe admitted, that a small staircase leading to the roof, such 

 as is appended to almost every dwelling house here, is much needed, in lieu of the 

 very inconvenient ladder, with trap door, now existing for that purpose ; this deficiency 

 I propose to supply in connection with the extension of the building, which I have now 

 to suggest. 



' 4th. Two different modes of effecting this object have occurred to me, in both of 

 which, however, is included the erection of a large room, in two floors of thirty-six feet 

 by twenty-four feet, on either side of the staircase room to the east and west. 



'5th. The first, as represented in both floors of plan No. 1, would leave the present 



