IV 
which was for some time and is even now, cultivated at the 
Botanical Gardens, Pamplemousses, upon the recommen- 
dation of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, con- 
tains a silky fibre ; mixed in a certain proportion with 
cotton, it produces a tissue which preserves the beauty 
and the softness of satin. 
Besides the Agave , the Furcrea, the Plantain and the 
pine apple, there are several plants belonging- to the 
genus Sida, one of which the Sida retusa is said to yield 
a fibre of most excellent quality. 
The initiative has just been taken by Mr. Lesidaner, 
one of our members. He recently delivered a public 
lecture on the fibres generally, which are produced by- 
several plants growing in Mauritius. Especially, he point- 
ed out the advantages to be derived from the fibres of 
Agave commonly called Aloes. 
We have just heard that a Society is in the course of 
formation for the establishment of a manufacture on a 
large scale. 
Visitors at our two last Exhibitions may have noticed, 
close to the cocoons spun or unspun, ropes and fibres 
carefully prepared, and the highly perfumed pod of the 
Vanilla. Three different industries, and three distinct 
branches of our foreign trade. 
A question of a very peculiar nature has suddenly been 
raised among a few Planters, vizt. : the possibility of 
forcing the sugar cane to produce seed. It was expected 
that from seeds, strong and healthy plants would be 
obtained, and the cane might thus be regenerated. A 
report was even, at one time current that seeds found 
in the cane-flower had been sown and had grown. 
Your Secretary to whom some of the alleged seeds 
were sent, was pressed to give his opinion on the subject. 
He, knowing that the Hon. Dr leery possessed a micros- 
cope of a great power, scut him a few of these supposed 
seeds, requesting him to examine them, 
