NHD7/1117-1139

GRIFFITH, WILLIAM (1810-1845)

See Archer's Natural History Drawings in the India Office Library, pp.41-6.

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NHD7/1117-1139

Twenty-two drawings in pen-and-ink, pencil and watercolour depicting fishes and their organs from India and Afghanistan; bound in a volume measuring 21 inches by 14 inches.

These drawings were made by William Griffith himself in 1839 and 1840, when he accompanied the army of the Indus to Kandahar and Kabul. They are inscribed sometimes with the provenance and often with rough notes concerning the specimen. They were despatched with the fishes which were received by the Museum in September 1842.

A few drawings were made in the Salt Range and Dehra Dun on his return from Afghanistan; Nos.1125 and 1128 are inscribed 'Lalpore' and Nos.1119 and 1127 'Song River. East end of Dehra Doon.' But most of the drawings were made on the North West Frontier and in Afghanistan. Nos.1120 and 1137 are inscribed 'Peshowur', the latter also 'Nov. 15, 1839'. No.1126 is inscribed 'Barbus of Bamean river', No.1122 'Pushut. Feby 3rd, 1840' and, on the reverse, 'Sent to me by Major MacGregor during our visit to Pushut and Olipore. Specimen lost.' No.1117 is inscribed 'At Basshah-several marches nearer the plains of Toorkistan. Captain Hay says it attains a considerable size' and No.1135 is inscribed 'Helmund'. Captain William Hay (the son of Mr. Hay of Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh) was Superintendent of the Hill States with his office in Simla.