xlvi Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, [May, 1845. 



years along- several hundred miles of the Sewalik range. Of these, one portion, which 

 comprises the contents of upwards of two hundred chests, is now deposited in the British 

 Museum, having been presented to the national collection by Captain Cautley, and will 

 with the consent of the Trustees, supply the chief part of the descriptive details and illus- 

 trations of the Work. Other large collections in the India House will be resorted to 

 when requisite ; and in cases where their own materials may be less complete, and they 

 will have access to specimens from the very extensive collections made by their friends 

 and fellow-labourers, Colonel Colvin and Captains Baker and Durand, of the Bengal 

 Engineers, whose published researches will be incorporated in the projected publication. 



In order to embrace in it as far as may be possible a general Fossil Fauna of the Con- 

 tinent of India during the tertiary period, illustrations will be drawn from the Irawaddi 

 fossil discoveries of Messrs. Clift and Crawford ; from the researches of Dr. Spilsbury in 

 the valley of the Nerbudda ; and from those of Dr. Lush and Lieutenant Fuljames in the 

 Gulf of Cambay, all of which localities have yielded fossil remains like those found in the 

 Sewalik Hills. With the same object, all the available materials relating to the osseous 

 remains of the elevated plains of Thibet, which are so importantly connected with the 

 g-eological history of the Himalayahs, will be examined by the Authors, and described or 

 figured when necessary. 



On the completion of the palaeontological details, a comprehensive account will follow, 

 embracing the general results of the fossil inquiries, together with a geological description 

 of the Sewalik Hills, to serve as an Introductory Chapter to the work. The Authors will 

 have the aid of some of the most eminent living Naturalists in describing such depart- 

 ments as they may feel themselves but imperfectly qualified to deal with, such as the Fossil 

 Fishes, Crustacea, and Mollusca. 



The Authors have been induced to undertake the work by the belief, that the scientific 

 reputation of this country and the credit of the Indian services are concerned in bringing 

 to light researches embracing so many new facts, and bearing so importantly on the past 

 physical history of the vast possessions of the British Empire in India. They are not 

 insensible to the difficulty and extent of the subject, but they hope that they are in some 

 measure prepared for it, by previous investigations, extending through several years. 



In order to secure to science the full advantage of the Sewalik fossil researches, in a 

 suitable form of publication, Her Majesty's Government and the Honourable Court of 

 Directors of the East India Company have been pleased to accord such an amount of aid 

 in limine as will ensure the successful progress of the work. The Publishers anticipate 

 that a corresponding measure of support will be afforded by the scientific classes in Eng- 

 land, by the British community in the three Presidencies of India, and by scientific men 

 abroad. 



Plan of Publication. — The Work will appear in about Twelve Parts, to be published 

 at intervals of about four months, each containing from twelve to fifteen folio Plates, or 

 an equivalent number of a larger size, where the nature of the subject may require it. 

 The Plates to be accompanied by royal octavo letter-press. The price of each Part will 

 be One Guinea in Europe, and Sixteen Rupees in India. 



Part I. — Containing the Mastodons and Elephants will be published on the 1st of 

 July, 1845. 



Subscribers' Names will be received by the Publishers, Messrs. Smith, Elder and Co., 

 65, Cornhill, London; and by Messrs. Thacker and Co., Calcutta; Forbes and Co. 

 Bombay ; and Messrs. Frank and Co., Madras. 



