— 2:25 — 
Cascade, the Eg uise turn elongatum, the only representative in 
Mauritius of that genus Equisetum, and which is no longer in 
existence, at least, in that locality. It is the same with some 
herns mentioned in the Hortus Mauritianus of Bojer. 
Dr. Hooker mentions not only plants, but also animals, 
some too that occupy no inferior position in the animal king- 
dom, and which when introduced under favorable conditions, 
for their reproduction in a country, become in some measure 
indigeneous. 
New insects have increased the number of these in existen- 
ce in our Island ■ Butterflies from Madagascar are to be found 
even in the streets of Port-Louis, in greater number than these 
that are indigeneous. Other insects including the Borer un- 
voluntarily introduced from Ceylon and the Foil Blanc, have 
increased with such fearful rapidity as to threaten our prin- 
cipal agricultural productions, and spread alarm among our 
planters. 
As for Birds, Mr. Ed. Newton is of opinion that out of 
about thirty species which constitute the Ornithological Fauna 
of Mauritius, 15 have been imported and the remainder are 
indigeneous. Amoung the latter some as the Merle (1), the 
Cuisinier (2), the Ferruche (3), the large Rainier (4), the 
Rainier (5), and the Cateau (6), are becoming scarcer and 
scarcer every year — without it being possible to ascribe any 
cause for their diminution, unless it is to be attributed to the 
destruction of our forests. Two others, the Dutch Pigeon (8) 
and the Hoopoe (8) which are said to have existed in the Is- 
land, have entirely disappeared. 
Among the exotic birds, some are more numerous than 
others. The Pingo (9) and the Bengali (10) are to be found 
every where. The partridges (11) are pretty common in many 
localities. As for the Martins (12), this is what Mr. New- 
ton says about it : 
“ The Martin is far the commonest bird, indeed I think it 
is more numerous than any specie of bird I ever saw. That is 
to say there are more Martins per acre in Mauritius than any 
other specie per acre I have ever seen. ” 
(1) Hypsipetes Olivaceus. 
(2) Oxynotus Ferruginous. 
(3) Agapornis Cana. 
(4) Trocaza Meyeri. 
(5) Turtur Picturatus. 
(6) Palaornis Eques. 
(7) Alectroasnos Nitidissima. — (8) Fregulupus Madagascaricnsis. 
(9) Munia Punctulata. — (10) Estrelda Astrild. 
, , . , ( Francolinus Madagascariensis — Perdrix Pintadee. 
• ' l Francolinus Ponticerianus — Perdrix Bouge. 
(12) Acridotheres Tristis. 
