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THE MUSEUM. 



The following Report was communicated to the 

 Society of Arts and Sciences by its author, Mr Bouton, 



the Secretary of the Society : — 



On their return from Paris in 1825 or 1826, Messrs. 

 J. Desjardins and L. Bouton were possessed of large col- 

 lections found in the island or obtained in their travels. 

 7 hey resolved to make a present of them to their country 

 and to found a Museum of Natm-al History. 



In carrying out this idea they received encourage - 

 ment from several influential persons, among others, 

 Baron d^Unienville and Mr C, Telfair, and on the 18th 

 May 1826 they addressed a letter to Sir Lowry Cole who 

 was then Governor of Mauritius. 



Their vobject was to spread among the youth of the 

 colony a taste for scientific pursuits in general, and more 

 specially for Natural History, in which they have them- 

 selves found so many attractions, leading to the formation 

 of a close friendship between them. 



The following passages are extracted from the above 

 mentioned letter : 



" Few countries are placed in so favorable conditions 

 " as Mamitius to carry out our ideas, placed as she is in 

 " the neighbom-hood of countries among the richest in 

 " Natural History, such as Madagascar, the Cape, &c. ■" 

 and further on ; with reference to the building which they 

 thought would be most appropriate for a Museum : 



