“ sical, if not very severe, treatment lias been a healthy exerei- 
“ se for a sculptor whose taste seemed to incline to the 
“ sensational and voluptuous.” 
Le Secretaire communique uu extrait du Gardener's Chro- 
nicle du 15 Juin, ayant trait a un emploi nouveau des fibres 
du Banauier. 
“We learn that the principal use to which Plantain Fibre 
“ (Musa Paradisiaca) is at present applied intliis country, is 
“ a substitute for silk in carpet tceaving. A well know Scotch 
“ firm has introduced it in the manufacture of carpets and 
“ rugs, and uses it in large quantities. It readily takes dyes 
“ of almost any colour, and has a glossy silky look. The 
“ fibre is said to be very much enhanced in appearence and va- 
“ lue if removed from the stem by the simple process of beating 
“ or crushing, washing and scraping away the pulp ou the same 
day that the plants are cut. Even if left for one night only, 
“ the fibre is said to be materially altered in coloiu*, strength 
“ and softness. ” 
II est presente de la part de M. Jean Jacques le fragment 
d’une cote et deux debris de coquilles d’ceuf trouves ii Mada- 
gascar sur les bords du lac Angalabe pres le Fort Dauphin. 
11s appartiennent probablement a une espece du genre 
CEpyornis, sinon, VCEpyornis Maximus du moins une des deux 
autres especes decouvertes par Grandidier. CE-Modestis et 
( E-MediuSy Alp. Milne Edwards et Grandidier. 
M. Eobillard lit une note sur deux coquilles, dont la des- 
cription est faite d’apres des dessins qu’il possede. 
“ Le premier, dit M. Ivobillard, est celui d’une coquille de 
Maurice, appartenant au genre Ovula, trouvee, il y a plusieurs 
mois par uu pecheur, sur une plante marine qui a etc prise par 
sa ligne, a 80 brasses de profondeur. 
“ Supposant la coquille nouvelle etnevoulant pas 1 expe- 
