— 72 — 



' M. Perrotet, who was sent to India many years ago, by the 

 French Government, for the purpose of introducing silk cul- 

 ture into the French colonies, had a high opinion of the silk 

 of these worms. 



Thus, besides the Mulberry tree, and if it would not be 

 counted upon, we should be able to fall back on Madagascar 

 worm which feeds on the Ambrevade, or the Assam worm 

 which feeds on the Castor oil plant. 



There can therefore be no doubt as to the successful culture 

 of silk in Mauritius — not at first start, by leaving it to private 

 enterprise, but by the encouragement and assistance of a 

 Company or of Grovernment. 



We lay the specimens of silk prepared in Mauritius, before 

 His Excellency the G-overnor and request that they may be 

 forwarded to the Silk Swp'ply Association in London. They 

 will give an idea of what may be obtained in Mauritius from 

 the Silk worms fed on the Mulberry leaves. Specimens of 

 Madagascar Silk, are also sent, the inferiority of which ia 

 striking, when compared with the Silk obtained in Mauritius 

 by Messrs. Descroizilles and D'Unienville. 



Port Louis, Mauritius, 

 20th October 1869. 



L. BOUTON, 



Keporter. 



[teadtjction.] 



RAPPORT du Comite nomme par la Societe Royale des 

 Arts et des Sciences pout se procurer des renseigne' 

 ments sur V Industrie Sericicole a Maurice. 



Nous soumettons a la consideration de la Societe Royale les 

 reponses faites par MM. Descroizilles et D'Unienville, aux 

 questions qui leur ont ete adressees, concernant I'lndustrie 

 Sericicole a Maurice, conformement au desir exprime par le 

 Silk Supply Association de Londres, et dont la communication 

 a ete faite k la Societe par Son Excellence le Gouyerneur. 



