LINNBAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. 89 



of an address delivered by Dr. Griinther to the Linnean Society on 

 the subject o£ gigantic tortoises. 



I have read the paper with much interest, and I am most 

 anxious to contribute in any way I can towards the preservation 

 and safety of these animals. 



1 went on a tour of inspection last month to some of the out- 

 lying islands, Praslin, La Digue, Felicite, Curieuse, and the Sisters, 

 and endeavoured to ascertain what number of tortoises could be 

 procured on these islands. 



At Curieuse, which belongs entirely to Government, there are 

 40. They have been brought from Aldabra, and I may say that 

 although tortoises are to be found in most of the islands of the 

 archipelago, they all came originally from Aldabra. The tortoises 

 at Curieuse are kept in a " pare " or enclosure close to the 

 Overseer's house. I have oi'dered this enolosui-e to be doubled, as 

 the space at present enclosed is too small. They are alJ healthy 

 and in excellent condition. 



At La Digue I found two very large specimens belonging to 

 Abdool Eassoul, the principal proprietor in that island. The 

 manager of the estate informed me that they had been there for 

 many years. 



On the Sisters, the property of Mr, Berlouis, there are many 

 tortoises to be found ; they are allowed to roam about as they 

 please. I found the same at Felicite Island. 



In former days it was a patent of respectability for a Seychelles 

 Estate owner to have several tortoises on his estate, and the prac- 

 tice is still kept up in Mahe among all the old families. 



When I was here in 1881, there was a very large one belonging 

 to the Honourable E. Serret, and it was supposed to be over 100 

 years old. It died a few years ago. I should say it was quite as 

 large as the Ceylon tortoise that used to be kept in the Artillery 

 barracks at Port Louis, both of which I have often seen. 



The eight tortoises in the Government grounds are in excellent 

 condition, and I enclose photographs which I have had taken of 

 four of them. 



Mr. Spurs, who at present leases Aldabra, informs me that it is 

 very difficult to catch the tortoises on that island. He is bound 

 to send over a couple every year to Mahe, but he has not done so 

 for the last two years. On reminding him lately of this obligation, 

 he declared that it was almost impossible to catch them. 



It seems to me to be a question whether the exportation from 

 the Seychelles Islands of the gigantic tortoises should not be pi'O- 

 hibited altogether by law. I have, &c., 



(Signed) H. COCKBUEN STEWAET, 

 Administrator. 

 The Right Honourable 



Joseph Chambeelain, M.P., &c., &c., &c. 



