IV 



" itself an habitation with its own substance which beco- 

 " mes petrified at the contact of the air, as is the case 

 " with several species of Caterpillars. "" 



In a note which was formerly found in the Archives 

 Office, and was presented to the Society by Your Secre- 

 tary, it is mentioned that the Olive tree was introduced in 

 Mauritius, from Seville, in Spain, in June 1768. No trace 

 of it can now be found. There is, we believe, only one 

 specimen in the Pamplemousses Gardens, But there are 

 to be found in our forests two species of the genus Olea 

 native of the Island. 



By the same opportunity, -17 red legged partridges from 

 Ay amenta were introduced, and the note shews that the 

 sums due to the captain for his care of the olive trees and 

 red partridges amounted to 51 Spanish Dollars which 

 were claimed from Poivre, then the Intendant.^^ This ex- 

 " pense, " adds Poivre " should be borne by the King 

 " because the plants and animals were introduced for the 

 " benefit of the Colony and no other purpose. "" 



The partridges, as well as the olive trees, have disap- 

 peared, for they must not be mistaken for the birds now 

 known here as the red legged partridge. 



The Hon. Ed. Newton, our President, has made the 

 following observations on the subject : 



" I think it is worthy to remark that the '' Perdrix 

 rouges " alluded to as coming from Ayamenta could not 

 have been the same species as the '^ Perdrix rouge ^' exist- 

 ing here now.^^ 



" The former were probably either Perdix petrosa Lath. 

 or Peidix rubra Briss. both of which I believe are found 

 in Spain, while the latter, as you know, is Ortygormx 

 ponticeriana Gm. from India. 



" It is to be regretted that the exertions of Mr Poivre 

 have proved abortive, as the Spanish birds would be far 

 better for the table than the Indian.^-" 



