Canterbury Dec '27 1844

J.E. Gray Esq
Keeper Zoological Dept
British Museum

Sir,

With reference to the series of my drawings presented to the British Museum I have the honor to state to you that on refering to my own original drawings from which those above averted to were copied for transmission to England, I find the original Drawings to be in number as follows
2/ Anatomical and quasi anatomical

1. Mammals - 94 108 Sheets
   Birds - 14
   Ordinary or Non-Anatomical
2. Mammals
   Bats 7 Sheets
   Quadrupeds 245 Sheets
   111 Birds
   Old and new Series 826 Sheets

IV Fishes, Snakes, Lizards
Frogs and Tortoises 24 Sheets

3/ Of the above a nearly complete Series of Nos 11 and 111 were transmitted to England in regular numerical order on the smaller scale of about 20 inches by 12, and, previously there had been sent more than half of the series of [ruder] execution and upon a much larger scale.
4/ Of the anatomical series or No. 1 only portions were sent to England, and frequently in connexion with the Drawings of the species in question So also of the series No 1V only a small portion was ever transmitted.
5/ Nevertheless the total of drawings transmitted from India exceeded what would seem to have been received by you ad the deficiency in your series appears to be so great particularly in the small sized drawings that I am led to request you will be pleased to give me a fresh and a careful Statement of all the Drawings you possess distinguished into greater and lesser sized ones, with the additional information when and whence you received them.
6/ You will kindly let me have this information as soon as possible in order that I may institute inquiries myself at the several channels of transmission
7 you have recently received from me 52 sheets of Birds and 10 of Mammals and I have this day delivered to your [Apt.?] 19 more sheets of Birds and 1 of mammals these which are the [sequel?] of the small series and ought nearly to complete it you will be pleased to include in your Statement as above requested.
8/ There can be no question that a considerable number of Drawings despatched from India is not forthcoming at present if I may judge by the rough Memo left with me by you for my species amount to 823 as per margin
Nepal Mammals 126
Birds 656
Tibet Mammals 47
and, not to mention that the larger Series of Drawings was far advanced in the copying when the lesser series was began there was not only a nearly complete series on the smaller scale transmitted to England (inclusive of those delivered at Canterbury as above noted) but also several repeated and amended delineations of the same species in that series, particularly among the quadrupeds; and lastly, in the new and small series of Drawings there were seldome more than one species delineated on the same sheet, so that there should be on the whole pretty nearly as many sheets as species
I have the honor to be
Signed
B.H. Hodgson

London Jan[uar]y 23 1845

The Hon [?]
The Court of Directors of the E[ast] I[ndia] Comp[an]y

Gents

I have the honor to tender to the acceptance of the Court of Directors a series of duplicates of my extensive Collection relative to the Zoology of Nepal and Tibet the result of several years research in the district heretofore unexplored

I have etc
B.H. Hodgson
Late Rest. Nepal

655 Birds
102 Mammals
45 Osteological

Canterbury January 3[r]d 1845

The Trustees of the British Museum

My Lords and Gentlemen
I have this day delivered to the Agent of the Museum at this place the following articles in continuation of the series of drawings and specimens illustrative of the Zoology of Nepal and Tibet already presented to the Museum
Drawings of Animals 15 +
Drawings of Birds 70 = 85

Skins of Mammals 402 +
Skins of Birds 4444 = 4846

Osteological specimens of Mammals 406+
Osteological specimens of Birds 663 = 1069
Grand Total as per details Lists delivered to Mr Gerrard 5996

The osteological Specimens have been added to the others in compliance with a suggestion of the Keeper of the Zoological department after inspection of them, and I believe they will be found of high value not only in helping to determine the important question of the true nature and limits of species, but also in forwarding the great end of natural classification not to speak of the aids they will afford towards [fixing?] the particular species of my large Collection upon a firm basis. I shall be glad to learn that the Trustees ratify the suggestion of their Officer.
This branch of the Collection, like the others, is rich in duplicates of which assuming that the originals are permanently deposited in the Museum, it is my request that one series may be hereafter delivered to the College of Surgeons if desired by that institution.
The drawings now presented, amounting to eighty one constitute the regularly numbered sequel of the series to which they belong (20 inches by 12) and which series they nearly complete. What remains to conclude the set shall be prepared and sent as soon as may be. Meanwhile I recommend that prompt measures be taken by the Museum to secure possession of those which went before them and which having fallen into various hands do not seem to be, all of them, forth-coming as they ought to be. The numbered Catalogues according to wh[ich] these drawings were prepared and despatched from India, will afford a ready clue to the amount of drawings that ought to be forthcoming according to the Catalogues adverted to, the number of Species is as follows -
Mammals of Nepal 126
Birds of Nepal 656
Mammals of Tibet 47
Most of these species were separately delineated and of many of them there were several delineations in this series of drawings, not, to mention the larger series preceding it and which likewise, so far as carried, ought to be forthcoming and has been presented to the Museum

Signed
B.H. Hodgson

Nepal
January 12 1843

H. Torrens Esqre
Sec. Asi. Society

Dear Sir

On the 13 May last I had the honour to transmit to you thirty one large sheets of Drawings as per accompanying 'List' - for the purposes of their being submitting to the Society's inspection and of their subsequent transmission [thru?] it if deemed proper, to England - As these drawings have an extreme value for those whom their peculiar subject concerneth and no value whatever for any one else, I trust the Society will be sensible that it's honour is much concerned in their alleged disappearance, without a word of explanation from the very hour of their known arrival with you up to the present moment
I have the honour to be
Dear Sir
Your faithful servant
B. H. Hodgson

LIST OF DRAWINGS TO H. TORRENS MAY 13 1842

1. Newars or aborigines of Nepaul Proper (Two Sheets)
2. Trans Nivean Bhoteahs
3. Cis Niveanor Cachari Bhoteahs
4. Heads of Newars
5. -ditto- of Cachari Bhoteahs
6. 1. Elephant of Saul Forest
7. 2. Martes Toufous
8. 3. Lynchus Vulgaris of Tibet
9. 4. The Habshi [Tangam] of Des Dharma
10. 5. Hemitragus Quadrimammis
11. 6. Ounce of Tibet
12. 7. -do- -do- Junior
13. 8. Felis Nigripectus Manul
14. 9. Mustela Canigula
15. 10. Sorex Nemorivaguset Pygmaeus
16. 11. Lepus Pallipes
17. 12. Vulpes Ferrilatus
18. 13. Aquila Crassipes
19. 14. Totanus Glareoloides
20. 15. Dicrurus Albirectus
21. 16. Vultur Fulvus
22. 17. Vinago Maronatus
23. 18. Egretta Grayii
24. 19. Crypsirina Simoniiset Vagabunda
25. 20. Carduelis Spinoides
26. 21. Phasianus Pictus et [Amherstii?]
27. 22. Mesidus Nivicola
        28.23. Caracias Bengalensis
28. 24. Thonicarnis Princeps

Total 31 Sheets
Notes at the end of the list
6 Haman to Lord Auckland
Lent 24 animals to British Museum whereof 12 Mammals and 12 Birds

1844
6 Haman
12 Quadruped
12 Birds
To British Museum by my father brought home by H.J. Princeps
'List of drawings sent home by H. J. Princeps and delivered to Brit. Museum by M.H. Senior 1844'

EXTRATCS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE COMM. OF CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY

7 Nov 1837
A minute of this date refers to Mr Hodgson's proposed publication on the Zoology of Nepal, and gives a statement from one of Mr Hodgson's letters to the effect that he had despatched to the care of the Royal Asiatic Society, 26 sheets of Mammals and Birds and will continue to send others till the series be completed which he commends to the keeping of the Society; stating also, that he had despatched 5 in Jany last by Capt. Robinson, with directions to deposit them with the Royal Asiatic Society, in case his prior stores should have been removed from the keeping of the Zoological Society - The minute concludes thus:- None of the above articles having been received, the committee directed that the matter should [lie?] over the present

15th March 1838
The Chairman read before the Committee a letter written to him by J. Princep Esq. of Calcutta, relative to Mr Hodgson's work of the Mammalia of Nepal, the the publication and circulation of which the Bengal Society are desirous of furthering etc. etc. "Sir Alexander Johnston stated that he had communicated the content of Mr Princep's letter to Sir Wm. Jardine who had expressed his willingness to cooperate in any measures whereby Mr Hodgson's labours might be given to the world."
19th Apl. 1839
The Chairman now read a letter from Mr J Princep, dated Calcutta 7 Sept 1838 respecting Mr Hodgson's proposed work on Nepal Zoology and recommending application in support to the Court of Directors.
5th March 1842
A minute of the Council of this date accepts Mr. Hodgson's offer to dedicate Mr Hodgson's Mammals of Nepal to the R. Asiatic Society; and promises to subscribe for a copy of the work.