244 Report on the Museum of the Asiatic Society. [March, 



exposed for want of accommodation, but a few of them so arranged that when cases 

 are provided, they can be removed by any individual.* The system we have followed 

 is that of Werner, as improved by modern authors. If any member would now visit 

 and see the extent of their Mineralogical collection, I am sure they would be convinced 

 of the necessity of having proper cases. 



The Bird cases since last Meeting have been fitted up with shelving, which has 

 enabled us to arrange systematically the collection, and the system we have adopted is 

 that of the Baron Cuvier. Moreover, in addition to the advantage derived in having 

 a systematic arrangement, the cases will now contain three times as many specimens as 

 they did formerly. To us it appears a most extraordinary idea, to suppose that objects of 

 Natural History cannot be properly preserved in this country. No doubt in cases fitted 

 up in the same manner as those of the Society at the present moment, they could 

 not, either here or any where else ; but if these cases were made air-tight, by lining 

 the edges of the doors with chamois leather poisoned with arsenic, according to 

 the plan adopted with the cases of many of the European collections, we would be 

 bound to say, that the collections could be preserved nearly as well here as in Europe. 

 At least this is a subject well worthy the attention of the Society. 



In conclusion, we shall offer a few brief remarks in regard to the desiderata. To in- 

 crease their collections, public bodies have generally adopted one plan, viz. — a memo- 

 rial giving a brief account of the manner how to prepare, collect, and pack objects 

 of Natural History, and at the same time pointing out those objects most to be desired. 

 If such a memorial was got up under the auspices of this Society, and distributed among 

 its numerous members and correspondents throughout India, the Society would not only 

 possess for itself a collection in a very short time, but at the same time would have at 

 its disposal, for making exchanges, a large series of duplicates ; and in the space of a 

 few years by so doing with the different collections in Europe, America, Cape, and 

 Sydney, it would thus bring together, with little expense to itself, a collection which 

 would vie with the various noble institutions on the European continent, and at the 

 same time worthy fof this the so-called City of Palaces. Before this can be done, 

 a Catalogue of the collection must be made. Moreover the Society could in a 

 series of tables exhibit by specimens, that is by bringing together the rocks of the dif- 

 ferent districts bordering on each other, the Geology of the whole of India, and thus in 

 a manner supply that great desideratum, at least to individuals here, viz. the want 

 of a Geological Map, and probably it might be the means of leading to this desirable 

 object ; an undertaking worthy of support from such an institution, and from the 

 country at large. 



W. J. 



* Dr. M'Clellaud informs us they have been once more swept into chaos by the 

 unguarded hands of assistants since Mr. Jameson's departure. Nothing can more 

 clearly prove the futility of attempting to do any thing in this department before 

 proper cabinets are procured.— Eos. 



