900 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



of bi-sulpliide of carbon for two or three days ; the result is satis- 

 factory, as rarely an insect is found, except on recently received 

 specimens. It takes about a year to thus treat the whole collection. 



In connection with the above I beg to mention the valuable 

 services rendered by my assistants, Messrs. Tovey and Audas ; both 

 have been most assiduous m the performance of the work allotted to 

 them and regular in their attendance. 



Visits to the herbarium are not very frequent from people who 

 desire information on differeut subjects, but occasionally they take up 

 a good deal of my time. Owing to bad health, arising from prolonged 

 insomnia and other causes, I have been unable to do much progressive 

 work, nor even to name plants for correspondents expeditiously, but 

 my health is gradually improving and I hope to be able to do more 

 justice to the Agricultural Department as well as to myself in future. 



The work on the Grasses of Victoria will, I trust, be finished 

 within a few months ; it is only in the evenings at home that I feel 

 able to devote myself to it for an hour or two. 



With the aid of Providence and a naturally strong constitution I 

 hope soon to regain my former health and thus be able to give a 

 better account of the progressive work of my Branch next year. 



