We have now certain proof of the introduction into the 

 Island of a fine butterfly, which has its origin in the East 

 coast of Madagascar and Natal. 



■ The Papilio Bemoleus made its appearance in Mauritius 

 at the commencement of the year, in March and April 

 1870. The late Isidore Legentil, an able taxidermist 

 assistant at the Museum, and whose death we have to 

 deplore, was the first to discover it. He saw it, several 

 times, crossing the College yard opposite the laboratory, 

 and caught many beautiful specimens which were added 

 to the Collection of Lepidopters in the Museum. 



Dr Vinson, of the Reimion Island, informs us that he 

 has seen this butterfly so far out as the Red Sea. Its 

 powers of flight must be very wonderful to have enabled 

 it to follow up the whole of the African coast. 



The same remark applies to another butterfly which has 

 only been found here since the year 1857 or 1858. It is 

 as difiicult to account for its introduction as far that of 

 the Papilio Demoleus. It is the Junonia Rhadama also a 

 native of Madagascar. Both have become very common, 

 while several butterflies such as the Vanessa Cardul, for 

 instance, which were very common 30 or 40 years ago, 

 are now becoming scarcer and scarcer. 



The Secretary has made some observations respecting 

 plants introduced into the Colony, which shew the same 

 results with the butter flies, and most likely with other 

 insects in general. These plants have increased with 

 such rapidity and such vigour, that in certain parts of the 

 Island they have covered the soil and the borders of the 

 forests to the prejudice of the indigeneous plants which 

 seem to be daily losing ground and retreating before 

 them, such as : Eubiis Hamiltonanius Hyptage Madablota. 

 Passiflora fcetida, ^c. 



Birds also have been seen which had never been known 

 in Mauritius. Their presence is more easily explained 



