145 
jects which they have purchased. Those never give away but 
they sell. 
This trade is carried on a large scale at the Cape, in Aus- 
tralia, at Madagascar even. In a report on the resources of 
Victoria published in August 1860, we find in the statement 
of exports from that rising colony during the year ending 
31st December 1858, 50 packages specimens of natural his- 
tory of the total amount of £ 1,238. 
However every rule has its exceptions and in the course of 
the year which has just gone by, the Museum and Library of 
the Society have been enriched. Mr. E. Lienard has pre- 
sented on behalf of his father a collection of fishes from Mau- 
ritius, minerals from the Pyrenees, and shells from different 
countries. Messrs. Ch. Telfair, T. Meadows, O. Desmarais, 
Chasteauneuf, Dr. Brooks have presented specimens of repti- 
les, crustaceee, fishes, Lythophits from Seychelles, India and 
Mauritius. 
The Library has bean increased by the addition of a very 
fine work illustrated with plates and entitled : “ The Works 
of Fogelberg,” dedicated to the King of Sweden, presented 
by the Editor, Mr. Casimir Leconte, “ as a token, of gratitude 
for the reception he found in the beautiful and hospitable 
Mauritius.” 
Dr. Boott has also sent us from London a copy of the ma- 
gnificent work which he has just completed : Illustrations of 
Genus Carex. 
And Capt. Mann about the time of his departure present- 
ed us with a work in 2 volumes, a Mathematical and Philoso- 
phical Dictionary, by Charles Hutton. Dr. Ch. Beke also la- 
tely sent us from England the work which he published him- 
self “ on the sources of the Nile,” and lately Mr. E. D’Unien- 
ville has also sent the Library two rather rare books and Mr. 
Paruit 3 volumes of the Anatomie comparee of Cuvier. 
The Curator believes that he has introduced an improve- 
ment in the mode of preseiwation of certain Zoological speci- 
mens. He has entirely discarded the practice of keeping cer- 
tain natural products, by steeping them in spirits, particularly 
fishes, the beautiful and brilliant colours of several species of 
which are so difficult to retain by the process. 
