VIII 



It Is well known, gentlemen_, by every one of ns_, what 

 degree of interest lias readied the study of man_, as regard 

 to his origin^ affinities and genealogy, and what a reyolu- 

 tion has been wrought by the brilliant and learned liypo^ 

 thesis of Cli. Darwin, worthy on every respect of the at' 

 tention of all the devotees to the several branches of Na~ 

 tnral history. 



It was under that impression that your Secretary sug- 

 gested the election of a Committee to report on the ques- 

 tions prepared in the book given by the Governor, and to 

 answer such as were applicable to the different races which 

 comprise the population of Mauritius. 



Oyster culture on certain coasts of Europe, America, 

 and some other parts of the world, constitutes, as every 

 one knows, a most lucrative branch of commerce. 



MrC. E. Bewsher believing that this industry might be 

 made equally profitable in Mauritius communicated to 

 the Society, the information he had been able to gather 

 from the last '' Report of the Commission on oyster cul- 

 ture " , and Mr Bewsher says with reason : 



'■'■ The trouble in Mauritius is not the want of oysters, 

 " but the preparation or selection of suitable places for 

 '' their development and free growth, when once cast free 

 " from the parent's shell." 



Mr. Bewsher also addressed to the Society an extract 

 from the Colonist of 12th June last, respecting the nest 

 built by certain fishes, particularly our Goiirami {Osi^hro- 

 nemvs 01 face) and the jealous care with which they watch 



