1839.] Asiatic Society. 1061 



By the elaborate investigation of a group or family, he may doubtless distinguish him- 

 self, and gain high individual reputation, but his utility to the Society would be far 

 greater, by his applying himself to the humbler duties we have specified ; moreover, it 

 appears to us that these duties are in themselves more than sufficient to occupy the 

 Curator's time, were it even to be entirely devoted to their discharge. 



Our collection of minerals is an utter chaos, though rich in anonymous specimens, 

 — valuable in themselves as illustrations of abstract mineralogy, but devoid of in- 

 terest in a geological or geographical light, owing to the neglect with which they 

 have been treated by some preceding Curators. It appears to the Committee of 

 Papers, that the first object of the Society, in remodelling its Museum, should be, to 

 form a grand collection of minerals and fossils, illustrative of the geology, geography, 

 and palaeontology of our British Indian possessions. 



A few of the existing minerals, and some superb fossils in our Museum are available 

 for this object, but it is clearly within the scope of the Society's influence to procure, 

 within a few months, collections of specimens from every part of India, and in such 

 numbers as would find the Curator in ample employment. While waiting for these 

 additions to our collections, he should proceed to name and label those already in our 

 possession. There is no need for delay for the preparation of cabinets, The speci- 

 mens should be named, labelled, wrapped in paper with a number affixed, and then 

 packed in boxes, until the cabinets are ready. 



Duplicates of all specimens should be preserved for verification and analysis. Tri- 

 plicates should be retained, wherever practicable, for presentation to other Museums in 

 exchange. 



The monthly reports should be a statement of progress in this duty, and affording a 

 catalogue of the minerals adjusted. The specimens themselves should be exhibited at 

 each Meeting. 



This duty the Committee think should supersede all others for the first few months 

 of the Curator's employment, meanwhile his subordinates would conduct the arrange- 

 ment of such specimens of the animal kingdom, as might require immediate attention. 



All correspondence connected with the Museum should pass through the Secretary's 

 Office, in conformity with the practice of similar institutions. It seems to the Com- 

 mittee of Papers an anomalous and inexpedient practice to commit the whole manage- 

 ment of exchanges and similar transactions to the Curator. The suggestions of that 

 officer will be always received with due attention and respect by the Committee ; but it 

 is manifest that without their being referred to it, the Committee cannot be responsible 

 for the expenditure which the Curator's measures and correspondence may entail, for 

 the views on which he may act in the management of the Museum, nor for the light in 

 which this department of the Society's labours may be regarded by scientific men, and 

 institutions in other countries. 



It seems necessary too, to stipulate that all memoirs or papers drawn up by the Cu- 

 rator for publication, as well as plates, models, &c, on subjects he may have investi- 

 gated in discharge of his duties, should be in the first instance placed at the disposal 

 of the Committee of Papers, also that all proofs of such papers pass through the inspec- 

 tion of the same body. 



The Committee are led to this suggestion by the circumstance of a fly-leaf having 

 been prefixed, without their sanction or knowledge, to the last volume of the Transac- 

 tions. Although containing nothing from which the Committee would dissent, the 



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