lii Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [July, 1846. 



The circumstances of the times, which have pressed so severely upon the private 

 interests of our colonists, have not been favorable to objects of a purely scientific 

 nature ; but even in the dawn of a more prosperous era, the desire to promote the 

 interests of science has been peculiarly evinced in our legislative assembly, by a 

 liberal grant having been passed during their last session, for the exclusive purpose 

 of erecting a suitable building as a Museum, and it is now in the course of erection. 

 I am also happy to say that the very general interest displayed by all classes in 

 the success of this establishment, affords a well grounded hope, that the natural 

 productions of this vast country, of all kinds, will soon be made acceptable for the 

 advancement of science in every department of Natural History. 



I would beg to explain to you, that hitherto our committee have had many 

 and insurmountable difficulties to contend with. We have not had the advantage 

 of any building in which our specimens could be properly displayed, or even ade- 

 quately preserved. Under these circumstances it could not be expected that any 

 great interest in the Museum would be evinced by the colonists ; and although we 

 have received, from time to time, many valuable contributions from individuals, we 

 cannot boast of that general support of which we now feel confident. As a small 

 return for your very liberal present, I am now directed to forward for your Museum, 

 as per accompanying list, such specimens of our Birds, &c, as we have at our imme- 

 diate disposal ; but I am to assure you, that such as you have desired, which are not 

 now sent, shall be carefully kept in mind, and, together with such others as we may 

 consider will be gratifying to you, they shall be forwarded with the least possible 

 delay. I entertain a hope that the recently established traffic in horses between 

 this country and Calcutta, will afford us increased opportunities for communication. 

 The recent discoveries of my friend Dr. Ludwig Leichardt, who has just returned 

 from an overland journey from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, during which he 

 discovered vast tracts of fine country closely bordering on the eastern Coast of Car- 

 pentaria, cannot fail of, ultimately, establishing a close connection between this 

 country and India. 



With regard to those objects of Natural History with which you might be able 

 to favor us, our Committee desire me to say that while any thing you may send 

 will be highly acceptable to our young Museum, yet we should be still more highly 

 indebted for specimens of the larger Pachydermata and Carnaria peculiar to In- 

 dia, with the forms of which our younger population are quite unacquainted. Spe- 

 cimens of the Lion, Tiger, Bear, Rhinoceros, Elephant, &c, would attract general 

 notice ; for any of these you are so obliging as to send we shall be particularly 

 grateful. 



In order to secure greater attention to the package we are sending, I have had 

 it handed over to the charge of the Chief Officer of the Stratheden, which vessel 

 is freighted for the service of your Government and will sail in a few days. I send 

 this letter by the " Lloyd's:' Pray look out for the arrival of the Stratheden. 



I have also sent in the Box, a brief account of Dr. Leichardt' s journey, drawn up 



