1848.] Proceedings of the As™tic Society. 239 



of this mission. Although ample instructions have doubtless been given to 

 the members of the Mission relative to all branches of science, which may 

 present themselves for observation, it may be useful to enumerate a few points 

 which have an immediate reference to the interests of the Museum of Natural 

 History in this House. 



The higher regions of Central Asia, and especially Thibet, possess a peculiar 

 character with regard to their Zoological productions, and opportunities to 

 examine and collect these have hitherto been extremely rare. Among the 

 branches to which the particular attention of the Mission should be directed, 

 are the Mammalia, Birds and Insects of Thibet, and the other elevated regions 

 which may be visited by the Mission. 



Of Mammalia, some species are known to be peculiar to the higher regions, 

 or are rarely found in Bengal and the plains of India. The most important 

 of these, so far as hitherto observed, are enumerated in the annexed list- — " A 

 Catalogue of Mammalia and Birds observed by B. H. Hodgson, Esq. in Nepaul 

 and Thibet," in which the names of the species most desirable for the Museum 

 are underlined is also sent for the assistance of the members of the Mission. 



Of the Birds of Thibet and Central Asia, a general collection will be desira- 

 ble, as they possess, as well as the Mammalia, a peculiar character, and most 

 of them are as yet imperfectly known. Those birds however, which are also 

 found in the lower regions of Bengal, should only be noticed in the Journals, 

 as the collecting them would unnecessarily encumber the Mission. 



The Pheasants of Thibet demand particular attention ; many of them are 

 of great beauty and rarity. Among these we notice especially the — 

 Crossoptilon auritum of Hodgson, and the 

 Thaumalia Amherstice, and 



Thaumalia Picta, which are enumerated in the 124th page of Hodgson's 

 Catalogue. 



All these are desiderata in the Museum, and several specimens of each are 

 wanted. 



In this department also attention should be drawn to the species underlined 

 in the accompanying Catalogue. 



The opportunities which will be enjoyed by the Mission should be extended 

 to the collection of the Insects of Thibet, and especially the Coleoptera and 

 Lepidoptera, which are likewise of great interest, and as yet but little known, 

 and it is strongly recommended that a competent Native Taxidermist may be 

 attached to the mission for the especial purpose of collecting and preserving 

 specimens of Natural History for the Museum. 



