478 



Proceedings of the Mad. Lit. Society 



[No. 35, 



with the subjects treated, errors and defects exist in it which ought to 

 be remedied. 



The existing lists, also, not only do not enumerate half the specimens 

 in our possession, but they are otherwise very defectively arranged, and 

 to render the collection at all useful to the public, it is requisite to have 

 a Catalogue at once so arranged as to admit of ready reference to each 

 class and each article in our possession. The Catalogue should be a print- 

 ed one, as well to render the collection fully available for the purpose of 

 instruction or examination, as to secure the future safe custody of the 

 specimens. 



Although I have numbered all the specimens I found lying loose, and 

 identified most of those presented by donors, I have been unable to name 

 all; partly from the imperfect nature of the specimens themselves; part- 

 ly from the difficulty, and impossibility, almost, of naming specimens, 

 when presented for examination without any reference to their position ; 

 and partly, owing to my attention not having been directed to subjects of 

 this nature for nearly ten years, to my having forgotten names, and I 

 would propose that all worthless specimens be, at once, thrown away ; 

 and all that I have not named or am doubtful of be sent in a case to the 

 Eev. Mr. Muzzy that he may name and return them ; after which du- 

 plicates could be exchanged with other Museums. 



The collection is, of course, perfectly available for the inspection of any 

 visitor; but, to be useful for profitable instruction, or for pleasurable ex- 

 amination, the changes indicated in this minute are required. There is 

 ample space in the College for the Museum and for its increase to any ex- 

 tent; and it does not appear that there are any public buildings more 

 suitable as to size and position for retaining it than the College, if it 

 were in good repair. In my opinion, however, all Museums and places 

 of public resort, should be in sites suited to the convenience of parties like- 

 ly to resort to them. The College is not so situated : nevertheless it is 

 not w 7 orse situated than any other available public building, but if there 

 be room in the High School, the Museum should, in my opinion, be 

 kept there. If there be no room, but if, by any possible means, a place 

 in that building could be cleared, such should be done in order to ren- 

 der it of the most easy access to those of the rising generation of this 

 Presidency who are receiving, there, the highest scholastic education. 

 On the completion and re-arrangement of the existing lists, as a catalogue, 

 and after providing further space for preserving and arranging the spe- 

 cimens enumerated in it, I suggest that the Committee should address 

 Government recommending its removal to the High School. 



The Honorable Court in para. 3 of their despatch urge the completion 

 of arrangements for the safe custody of the existing specimens, but I do 



