1859-] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 397 



avoid looking forward to the day when they will sensibly begin to 

 deteriorate, if precautions are not taken for their better preservation, 

 which unfortunately are beyond the very limited means at the dis- 

 posal of the Society. 



18. From the want of space, and the restricted funds, the ar- 

 rangement of the collections is also of necessity in a very imperfect 

 condition ; so much so, that the J\Juseum of the Society, although it 

 contains a most valuable collection of specimens of all descriptions, 

 has little claim to be considered in the light of a scientific Institution. 



19. The Council are convinced that from want of funds, present 

 or prospective, the Society is powerless for good in this matter, and 

 that the only step that can be taken to insure the preservation of 

 these most valuable collections from eventual destruction, and to 

 render them really useful in a scientific point of view, is to make their 

 present proposal. They are aware that at the present time, financial 

 considerations are likely to constrain the Government to pay the 

 strictest attention to economy in dealing with this" matter. But in 

 the existing state of the Society, and of the collections, they feel that 

 they can delay no longer in submitting the question for decision. 



20. In conclusion, I am instructed again most respectfully but 

 most earnestly to commend to the favourable consideration of the 

 President in Council this important subject, I am to assure the 

 Government that the Asiatic Society will approach the discussion of 

 any details connected with it, into which they are prepared to enter in 

 any manner that may be thought most suitable, with the warmest 

 appreciation of the liberality with which the Society's efforts have 

 always been seconded by the Government, and with the strongest 

 sense of the enlightened views which have guided the Government 

 of India in the cause of Education. 



I have, &c. 

 (Signed) W. S. Atkinson, 



Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



Eepoet oe the Committee oe Natural History. 

 The Committee of Natural History having been directed by the 

 Council of the Society to consider the condition of the Natural 



