616* Asiatic Society. [No. 139. 



We beg to suggest, that the Honorable the President and the Committee of Papers 

 direct official intimation to be given to Mr. Blyth, who is already aware of the design, 

 that the plates are in a sufficient state of forwardness to warrant the commencement 

 upon the letter-press, as the prompt preparation of the commentary with Dr. Lord's 

 notes for the plates already finished will enable your Committee to recommend the 

 publication of a 1st part of Burnes' Collection, forming a portion of the volume of the 

 Society's Researches. 



The Society will obtain, from the distribution of this splendid work, a means of re- 

 paying the offerings of other learned bodies, and of greatly extending its European 

 reputation in the department of Natural History ; such being the case, your Commit- 

 tee submit that urgent reasons are shewn for the speedy preparation of the requisite 

 accompaniment to the plates. 



Your Committee also beg to note, that two vacancies having occurred by the death 

 and resignation of Members of the Society, it will be expedient to add to their present 

 number. (Signed) H. Torrens. 



C. HuFFNAGLE. 

 H. PlDDINGTON. 



It was stated, that a letter had been addressed to Mr. Blyth, as recom- 

 mended by the Committee, of which the following is a copy : — 



E. Blyth, Esq. Curator Museum Asiatic Society. 



Dear Sir, — I am desired by the Hon'ble the President and the Committee of 

 Papers to remind you, that there are now 30 of Sir A. Burnes' Drawings of the Zoology 

 of the Indus finished and in our stores, and 30 more, in course of completion, being 

 in the hands of the artists. 



1. These 60 plates will cost in round numbers about 7,000 Rs., and there are stil 

 90 more, of which some may be left unpublished; but the whole will, under any 

 circumstances, involve an expenditure of at least Co's. Rs. 15,000. 



2. The Society, as you are aware, contemplates making these plates part of the forth- 

 coming volume of their Transactions, and it doubts not, with your known ability, 

 to produce one of which it may be proud, and which the Naturalist can place side 

 by side with those of Russell, Buchanan, and Gould; but while anticipating this, it feels 

 most anxious, that the Letter Press should be forthwith commenced upon ; for it is 

 aware that it cannot but be ill done if done in haste, and you yourself know how advan- 

 tageous it is in India, to have full time for corrections and revisions. 



3. I am therefore desired to express to you, the especial wish of the Hon'ble the 

 President and the Society, that your part of the work should be taken in hand with- 

 out delay, as they naturally feel, that in so costly an undertaking, nothing should, if 

 possible, be left to chance or done in haste. 



The Society at large would also be much gratified to have your progress in the 

 work mentioned from time to time in your Monthly Report. 



H. Torrens, 

 Secretary and Vice-President Asiatic Society. 



A Portfolio of the finished and coloured Lithographs, with the original 

 Drawings was upon the table, and greatly admired, as being far superior 

 to any thing of the kind hitherto produced in India. 



