for distribution, and lately a supply of very superior Japanese QggS, 

 such as are seldom sold to foreigners, have been forwarded by Dr. 

 Bennett, the Hon. Sec. of the Acclimatisation Society of New 

 South Wales. The Council is in communication with the Hon. 

 Mr. Verdon, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Silk Supply Associa- 

 tion of London, and with Mr. Francis Cobb, the hon. secretary of 

 that institution, and have asked the latter gentleman whether 

 it would come within the scope of the operations of the 

 Association to appoint some person in Melbourne to purchase 

 cocoons, as there are a number of people who hold parcels, and are 

 discouraged at not being able to turn the fruit of their labour into 

 money. Until an answer has been received to this letter, the 

 Council is prepared to forward cocoons to London, the sender paying 

 the freight; and would impress upon sericulturists that it is quite un- 

 necessary to reel the silk, as that operation is performed much better 

 in England where machinery exists for the purpose. The Silk 

 Supply Association, in one of their Reports recently published* 

 recognises no less than 56,000 square miles of country in Victoria 

 well suited to the growth of silk, and when the numerous 

 young plantations come into bearing, a great stimulus will be given 

 to this industry, which in all probability will, before many years, 

 add materially to the wealth of the colony. The Council would 

 here express their thanks to the President and Professor M'Coy, for 

 the great interest they have always shown in developing sericulture. 



The deer turned out at various times have increased rapidly, 

 the Council have heard from time to time of considerable herds 

 having become established in different parts of the country. The 

 axis deer on the Grampians are numerous and widely spread, and 

 other parts of the colony are stocked with varieties of the same 

 animal. There are at present some surplus deer at the Society's 

 Gardens at the Royal Park, which will be shortly liberated in 

 suitable localities removed from settlement, whilst many have 

 already been turned out this year. 



The hares have • increased in a very marked manner, and are 

 rapidly extending throughout the country : a few have been lately 

 placed in a district well suited to them, about forty miles from 

 town, and the Council have in addition sent some to Tasmania and 



