(I 



The following vyill convey an idea of the labours of the 

 Society during the past year. 



We must place in the first rank as being a matter of 

 public utility, the untiring efforts of Mr. H. C. Descroi- 

 zilles to implant Silk cultivation in Mauritius. We may 

 add that his efforts have been crowned Tfith success. 



No silk worm eggs were to be found in the Colony a 

 year ago, when a circular from the Silk si'pjily Associa- 

 tion of London under cover of tlie Secretary of State, 

 arrived here recommending tlic Colonics where mulbery 

 trees can grow to propagate the plants in order to rear 

 silk worms. 



The eggs were applied for to the Reunion, and Sir 

 Henry Barkly requested the British Consul at St-Denis 

 to use his influence, and your Secretary tipplied to his 

 friends in that Island, Dr. A. Vinson and J. de Corde- 

 moy. Thanks to Dr. Vinson whose brother has estab- 

 lished a silk worm breeding establishment at Salazie, eggs 

 were procured and handed over to the British Consul, 

 who entrusted them to the care of your Secretary's son, 

 Mr Ed. Bouton. He arrived at Mauritius on 13th May, 

 and the eggs were at once confided to the care of Mr. 

 Descroizilles. 



They were soon hatched. Several generations have since 

 been born, and Mr Descroi2illes, to avoid incumbrance 

 hastened from time to time to deliver to all applicants a 

 sufficient quantity of eggs to enable them to carry out their 

 desire to breed silk worms and reel the silk. 



But no warm manifestations have been noticed. On 

 the contrary, it is sad to remark the coldness and want 

 of sympathy of the public for so attractive an industry, 

 which may, perhaps one day be a souice of wealth to 

 them who now shew the greatest indifference. Mr. Des- 

 croizilles has even set up, at his own expense, a small 

 reeling apparatus which is now at work. 



