1847.] Report. 101 



intended as to represent the different objects of the Society, but experi- 

 ence has proved beyond doubt that it never has so answered. The 

 Committee has been at one time almost exclusively composed of gentle- 

 men who deemed Oriental Literature the paramount object of the 

 Society, and at another period we have seen researches in Oriental 

 philology nearly abandoned in favour of Zoology and kindred sciences. 



By the appointment of Sub-Committees or Sections, subject to annual 

 election, for advice and reference, to which their functions should be 

 strictly limited, and to be referred to only through the Committee 

 of Papers, as Council of the Society, — we would have the means of 

 combining in one group men of similar attainments, to whom the 

 Society, through the Committee of Papers, could refer their doubts 

 and difficulties for consideration and advice, and who would, from time 

 to time, themselves suggest the objects to which the patronage of the 

 Society might be profitably applied. 



How efficiently this plan works in the French Institute, in the British 

 Association, and in the Royal Society of London, the Committee need 

 not press on consideration. They are persuaded it will prove highly 

 beneficial if adopted by the Asiatic Society. It has already been par- 

 tially acted upon at the November meeting, by the appointment of the 

 following gentlemen as an Oriental Sub-Committee. Members. — 

 The Rev. Dr. Ilaeberlin, the Rev. Mr. Long, Major Marshall, and 

 Dr. Roer. 



It is now proposed to extend the plan by forming for the following 

 year similar Sub-Committees. 



1 . Geology and Mineralogy. 



2. Zoology and Natural History. 



3. Meteorology and Physics. 



4. Geography and Indian Statistics. 



It is recommended that the Secretaries of the Society be the Se- 

 cretaries of the sections also. The Sub-Committees should be ex-officio 

 Inspectors of the Museums in their several departments, and it should 

 be strongly urged upon the section of Meteorology to take measures for 

 securing for the Society a monthly Meteorological Report of Baro- 

 meter, Sympiesometer, Thermometer, Hygrometer, also Rain Gauge, 

 Anemometer, and a Register of thunder storms on the plan prescribed 

 by Arago (v. Annuaire, Art. " Tonnerre") such as those which in the 



