- 40 — 



" I am happy to say that 1 have been able to exeite a taste 

 here for horticrJture, and my Conservatory has not its equal in 

 the West Indies. It is an open air enclosure sheltered hj a 

 fine Mango-tree, by arches and over-head trellis arches with a 

 beautiful fountain overgrown with ferns in the centre. The 

 wind is kept off by the Palms. The sun and heavy rains by 

 the shelter which I have described. 



" I see that Mr V. Robillard takes an active part in your 

 Transactions. Pray remember me to him, and tell him that I 

 have made a magnificent collection of the shells of the West 

 Indies - marine and terrestrial — probably the best (of that 

 jDarticular^Fauna) in existence and of corals and zoophytes of 

 these seas especially of the Crinoids. 



" I have trebled the general collection of shells with which 

 I left Mauritius twenty years ago, and my Museum probably 

 ranks among the most extensive, if not the finest, among 

 private collections. It will be a tremendous job to move it 

 which I must do in a few months, as the term of my Grovern- 

 ment will then expire. I expect to be offered another, 

 but unless it is one which will suit me, I shall probably retire. 

 I should have been glad to revise many old friends in Mau- 

 ritius, but on account of my family I had to avoid being sent 

 there. I hope Sir A. Phayre wUl prove a good and popular 

 Governor. 



" Fray remember to old friends— I am in correspondence 

 with Mr Meldrnm - and am sending my Rainfall Papers to 

 him — as they arc more immediately connected with his special 

 pursuits. 



" With my kind regards and wishes. . 

 " I remain, &c., 



" (Signed) Rawson W. Rawson." 



