XIII 
riculture, and his efforts to implant that industry in our 
Island, are beyond praise. lie addressed us on several 
occasions, n t only on the necessity of beginning to make 
Mulberry plantations on a large scale, in order to he pre- 
pared to rear silk worms, but lie also mentioned other 
plants besides the Mulberry, the leaves of which are used 
as food for the silk worm in several parts of the world — 
for instance the worm which produces the Bengal silk 
known under the name of Tussah. It lives in freedom on 
the Pistacia Terebinthus . Other silk worms live in free- 
dom in Madagascar on the Ambrevade, Cajanus sp and in 
India on the common Castor oil plant. 
Mr. D. recommended that certaiu species of Mulberries 
found growing at the Cap?, Morns multicaulis for instance, 
should be introduced into the Colony — and at the request 
of your Secretary S r Henry Barkly forwarded him se- 
veral slips tlnough our colleague the Hon H. Pitot. 
His Excellency kindly promised to send more at a later 
period, and the Director of the Botanic Garden at > ape 
Town, has been instructed* to forward them in the proper 
season. 
Mr. D. also invited attention to certain plants producing 
delicate fibres, which carefully prepared yield a very fine 
tissue as soft as silk, mixed with a certain proportion of 
cotton, Such is the China Grass. 
According to the calculations which have been made, 
the cultivation of this plant would give a nett annual 
profit of ;S 1 15 per acre. It is easily cultivated, audits 
preparation requires no costly or complicated machinery. 
Mr C. E. Bewshcr informed us that several Typlilops 
Braminus had been found in the demolition of the Oriental 
Bank. This would tend to shew that this Ophidian exists 
in Mauritius We are all aware that it is found in Reu- 
nion Island, where it is known under the name of “ Rep- 
tile du jardin de l'Etat.” 
