143 — 
are very simple, presents a great difficulty as to the natural 
family of plants to which it belongs. 
Dr. Hooker finds in it a certain affinity to the family of 
Myrtacae and the Secretary thought it related to that of 
Memecylacete ; at all events the plant has been described and 
figured under the name of Fropiera Mauritiana in the journal 
of the proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, Vol. Y. 
p. 1. 
The discovery of a new genus amongst the phanoregamous 
plants of Mauritius and in forests so often explored, is an 
epoch in the history of Science, as well as the discovery of a 
fossil bone belonging to an extinct race of birds, the inexhau- 
stible subject of study of the most celebrated naturalists. 
In this point of view, the discoveries of Dr. Ayres and the 
Secretary’s without any dispanagement to the labours of 
the other members of the Society are really scientific facts, in 
this sense that they occupied the attention of European So- 
cieties and without any doubt be mentioned. 
This is the only rational course to pursue as being likely to 
lead to useful results. It is by following it up with perseve- 
rance that we may succeed in filling up the blanks left by 
those naturalists who have preceded us and in arranging the 
facts and observations collected by them. 
The Hon. Mr. Kerr communicated a letter from the agent 
of the Society in London proposing the introduction into 
Mauritius of the spawn of the Salmon, remarking however, 
upon the probable difficulty of acclimating in a hot country a 
fish which generally, after having deposited its spawn in the 
rivers, seeks the high seas. 
The Secretary brought back to our recollection that the 
same proposal was made to the Society in 1843. The idea 
originated in Belfast with Dr. Me Donnell and was communi- 
cated to Mr. C. R. Telfair the son of the late President and 
founder of the Society. Instructions were drawn up by a 
Committee to ensure the safe transport of the spawn, but the 
project could never be carried out. 
With the means of prompt communications which now 
exist, the chances of a successful trial are now greater than 
they were before. The Hon. Mr. Kerr is of opinion that other 
