XI 
Mr Ch. Darwin to present to our Society a copy of the 
first work published by him : “ a Naturalist’s voyage round 
the world, or a journal of researches during the voyage 
of H. M. S. Beagle.” At the same time he kindly forwarded 
a photograph of himself. Our Society has duly appreciated 
this graceful proceeding. 
At the suggestion of MrBewsher and with the assistance 
of Mr Hery at Reunion, our Society has been able to 
introduce into the Island a certain number of plants of a 
species of Australian Acacia : Acacia decurrens. It is 
remarkable for the rapidity of the growth, its gum and 
the useful properties of its bark. 
They arrived in one of the steamers of the “ Messageries 
Maritimes,” and thanks to the care and recommendation 
of the Agent of that Company, were conveyed here free 
from charges. 
The plants have been distributed and, if as Mr Noel, 
proprietor at Moka states, seeds planted by him nineteen 
months ago, have produced trees 20 feet high , they will 
contribute largely to the rewooding of the Island. 
The seeds of an useful plant have been reintroduced 
into the Island in 1869, at the request of Sir Henry 
Barkly, through the British Agent at Zanzibar ; viz : the 
Joliffia Africana — Boj. It had already been introduced 
many years before from the Eastern Coast of Africa, by 
the late Professor Bojer, but the species had been lost. 
The seeds lately received were distributed among Plant- 
ers, and those persons who expressed a desire to have some. 
But the elder Mr. Deseroizilles appears to have been the 
only one w T ho has been successful in rearing them. 
The plants from seeds planted by him at the Savaue, 
have given and are still giving a great quantity cf fruit. 
It is well known that the seeds yield an excellent edible 
oil, and it would be a matter of interest to the Colony 
to spread the cultivation of so useful a plant. 
