It is hoped to obtain from each Colony (at the outset) a series of samples of all 
natural products in the raw state, namely, as first obtained from the field or lorest, 
quarry or mine, and (at litter periods ) samples, in the various stages ol preparation 
and manufacture, of all products the utilization of which has been more or less 
completely developed. The Governing Body hope to receive the first instalments of 
the Collections by the commencement of the month of April, 1891. 
It is suggested that specimens of raw materials should be shown in the form of 
an “ Index ” Collection, to correspond with an alphabetical and descriptive catalogue, 
so as to provide for ready reference and examination. 
The Indian Government has already commenced the preparation of such a 
collection, and it-will be made to correspond, both in its initial formation and subse¬ 
quent development, to the “ Dictionary of Economic Products,” now being published 
under the supervision and authority of the Department of Revenue and Agriculture 
in India. 
• 
This Dictionary, so far as published, is so complete in its matter and so excellent 
in its arrangement, as to deserve full consideration from Colonial Authorities in 
reference to the preparation of their individual collections and of descriptive catalo¬ 
gues thereof. 
In this Dictionary, to every distinct product is attached a number, or series of 
numbers, each number representing either a distinct product or a product employed 
for a distinct purpose. Therefore, if a product is employed only for food, it bears 
but one distinctive number; but if one part of a general product is used in addition, 
say, for medicine, and another part for fodder, it would bear three numbers, and 
would be trebly illustrated ; that is, it would appear under each class — food, medicine 
and fodder—in the collection. The samples will, obviously, not as a rule, be identical, 
but may be different parts of the same general product— e.g., the seeds, the roots, 
and the leaves. The samples in the Index Collection will bear the numbers attached 
to the description in the Dictionary. Any person desiring to examine the sample, 
and having a copy of the descriptive catalogue, will have before him the latest and 
most essential information with respect to the particular article. 
The best method of preserving or casing samples of a perishable nature for such 
a collection is, by enclosing them in flat, air-tight boxes, having glass covers, which 
form one side of the box, and are closed hermetically. 
' Another branch of the collections, and which may be appropriately termed the 
"Commercial” Collection, to distinguish it from the "Index” Collection, is that 
which will possess the most direct practical value, and will undoubtedly prove of real 
service to the commercial interests of a Colony. It would consist, in the first place, 
of a series of samples of all natural products of known utility in every stage of 
preparation and manufacture, as developed at the time. In the second place, it would 
include samples of natural products which are either novel at the time, or have not, 
up to the date of formation of the collection, been in any way formerly utilized. This 
particular branch of the sample-collection would necessarily require to be continuously 
revised, obsolete specimens being removed and replaced by others representing the 
condition and commercial position of these products at the most recent date, while 
samples of new products would probably be added from time to time. 
Marbles, stones, woods and other products will be gladly received in bulk, 
although they will only be displayed in the Institute collection in sizes which will 
suffice to shew their peculiar features and capabilities. I he portions remaining over 
will be utilized for branch collections in the large cities and centres of commerce, 
and for purposes of chemical or microscopic examination and practical experiment, 
or scientific investigation, which, it is hoped, may be conducted at, or with the 
assistance of, the Imperial Institute, the results being afterwards illustrated in the 
collection. Samples will be supplied, for these purposes, to merchants, manufacturers, 
or scientific experts. 
It is desired to impress upon Colonial Authorities that the leading object of 
these two classes of collections, the " Index ” and the ” Commercial, * is their display 
in the courts which will be allotted to the different Colonial Governments and the 
Indian Government in such a manner that they will readily and thoroughly illustrate 
the information given in the descriptive catalogue, and thereby aid, importantly, in 
furnishing complete information as to the characters and uses of the economic 
products of each country, being thus rendered valuable equally to the every-day 
trader, the manufacturer, and the scientific student. 
Early in the year 1891, provided the foregoing suggestions are, in the main, 
