420 Observations on the [May, 



lished in the Journal of the Asiatic Society for April 1836 ; where it 

 will be seen that in one year the Museum put on a different aspect from 

 what it presented when I took charge. The damp was got rid of ; 

 most of the cases were altered and repaired ; the decayed specimens 

 were restored as far as possible ; an Osteological catalogue was made ; 

 that of the Birds began ; nine complete skeletons were articulated ; 

 twelve specimens of Mammalia, and 133 birds were mounted, and more 

 than 500 specimens of Vertebrata ; 150 Molusca, some Crustacea, and 

 several hundred insects were added to the Museum ; and the Commit- 

 tee was so well satisfied with my exertions as to resolve — " That the 

 Committee are highly pleased with the arrangements adopted by Dr. 

 Pearson in the Museum, and with the progress it has made under his 

 supervision ; and they have no hesitation in recommending to the So- 

 ciety a continuation of the same system which has proved so beneficial 

 and effective during the experimental year."* 



My copy of the Journal for the first months of 1837 was lost in a 

 boat on the Ganges, and I have but a draft copy of my report for 

 that year. But from this I learn that in the second year, the ar- 

 rangements of the last year were followed out by improving the 

 appearance of the apartments by matting the rooms ; while by free ven- 

 tilation the damp, from which so much inconvenience was formerly 

 experienced, altogether disappeared. The remainder of the cabinets, 

 save one, were glazed, and made ready for specimens ; and subscrip- 

 tions were set on foot for adding to them. There were mounted in the 

 Museum, twenty-eight specimens of Mammalia, two hundred and thirty 

 birds — ten of large size ; and sixteen reptiles ; and eight skeletons were 

 prepared and articulated. Besides these there were presented twenty- 

 eight osteological specimens. Most of the reptiles, the fishes, and in- 

 vertebrated animals are not enumerated in my draft of the report ; but 

 I believe they amounted to several hundred specimens. 



Thus in two years there were prepared by myself and under my 

 superintendence, 



17 Articulated Skeletons, 



363 Mounted Birds, 



40 Mounted Mammalia, 

 and a large collection was made, principally by myself and my own 

 servants, of other vertebrated and invertebrated animals. The skele- 

 tons of all the large Mammalia we have were thus procured. Those of 

 the Orang-Outang, Monkey, Weasel, Cat, Rat, Musk-deer, Cow, Horse, 

 Ass, Plog, Rhinoceros, Parrot, Adjutant, Tortoises, &c, were procured 

 * Journal of the Asiatic Society, April 1836, page 253. 



