May, 1845.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. li 



to the sea, were both on the table. The Editors of the Journal were 

 directed to give all due publicity to Colonel Ousel ey's labours by an 

 additional lithograph in the journal, including the coal site of Benar 

 and railroad sketch as added by him. 



Read the following letter from Captain Fox, giving an account of the 

 loss of the collection made by him for the Museum : — 



H. Torrens, Esq. Secretary, Asiatic Society. 

 Sir,— In the month of January last year, Mr. Blyth of the Museum, put on board the 

 vessel I commanded a box, together with a quantity of Arsenical Soap, and other articles 

 for the cure of such of the desiderata at New Holland and New Guinea, I might be 

 enabled to procure. The boy and I succeeded in obtaining at New South Wales a tolera- 

 bly good and large variety of specimens, which were packed up, but getting wet I was 

 compelled to order their being thrown away in consequence of the offensive effluvia 

 they emitted. A Satin and Regent Bird I cured myself, and being badly done, I took less 

 care of them ; they were suspended in my cabin, and remained good, and I believe a 

 hawk the boy kept with his clothes. I did not visit Maulmein, having resigned command 

 of the vessel. Among other things I lost a beautiful Eagle-hawk, Black-swan and a 

 Wallahby. I had fondly hoped to have been the first to have brought a large quantity of 

 specimens from New Guinea for our Calcutta Museum ; but that gratification I was 

 compelled to forego in consequence of annoyance in Sydney. Subsequently I brought 

 the boy with me in the " Minerva," by which vessel we returned passengers, and owing 

 to the crowded state of so small a vessel, (146 tons with 100 souls on board) the Cap- 

 tain directed the large box to be put under the stern boat, and one Sunday morning we 

 all saw the box for a few seconds astern, it having fallen overboard and sunk. The 

 boy behaved very well and is an excellent lad, and no blame whatever can attach itself 

 to him. I am very sorry for so great a loss ; but I trust the explanation will meet your 

 approbation. 



Your most obedient Servant, 



W. Eox. 

 Calcutta, 16th April, 1845. 



The Secretary stated that he held in his hand two MSS. books, con- 

 taining notes and sketches made in the Hills, which had been kindly 

 forwarded for publication in the Journal by Captain Marshall, but that 

 the Editors had thought with reference to the time elapsed since the 

 notes were made, and their somewhat private and domestic character, 

 that they were not exactly suitable for the pages of the Journal. 



Memorandum. -^These note books were subsequently withdrawn by 

 Captain Marshall. 



Read the following letter from the Local Committee of Education at 



Agra : — 



To H. Torrens, Esq. Secretary, Asiatic Society, Calcutta. 

 Sir,— The Local Committee of Education at Agra being engaged in the formation 



