122 



NiLTTJRAI. HISTORY SOCIETY 



OF THE 



MAURITIUS. 



[MY have obtained from this examplary Institution, the valuable privi- 

 lege of translating and publishing tho following Reports and Notices. 

 We have to express our regret, both on ac count of the unavoidable 

 delay which has occurred in presenting them to our readers, and of 

 the necessity under which we are now placed, of epitomizing and con- 

 densing them, from want of room to exhibit all their details.] 



ANNUAL REPORT. 



HEAD ON THE 2\th OF AUGUST 1830. 



This document commences by specifying the steps taken to 

 institute the Association, and the various attempts of llio same 

 nature in preceding periods. In 1801, after the arrival at the 

 Mauritius of the ships, le Gcdgraphe and le Naturaliste 

 several of the philosopher's attached to that expedition, re- 

 mained in the island. Among them was Mr. Bory de St. Vin- 

 cent, so widely known by his ^eal in tho. investigation of science, 

 and by the publications in which he illustrated it. He, aided 

 by Mr. Lislet Gcofl'roy, laid the foundation of a society, with a 

 very extensive aim. This Association included many noted 

 names, and, with some modifications, continued its labours tijl 

 1818; distinguishing itself by the publication of various me- 

 moirs, and articles in natural history. 



At the foundation of the Lyceum, under the French Govern- 

 ment, it was intended to connect with it, a Museum and a 

 Library. For the purpose of carrying this intention into effect 

 subsequently, two of the present members of the Natural 

 History Society, viz. Mr. G. Bouton and Mr. J. Dcsjardins 

 made, in 1826, the generous but unsuccessful proposal, to 

 attach gratuitously their collections to this Institution. The. 

 existing Association, which confines its views specifically to 

 Natural History, originated in 1829, and commenced its labors 

 under the following olKce-bearers : His Excellency Sir Charles 

 Colville, Patron; Mr. C. Telfair, President; Mr. J. Delisse, 

 Vice-President; Mr. Wcuccslas Bojer, ditto ; Mr. Julicn Des- 

 jardins, Secretary ; and Mr. Licnard (Father), Treasurer. Its 

 meetings are held monthly. 



