— 234 — 
a Dodo {JDidus Solitarius ) , but bad obtained t ivo species of 
birds new to Ornithologists ; whilst amongst the Ferns brought 
from the same Island by Captain Barclay, one had been reco- 
gnised by Lady Barkly as not previously known to exist 
either in Africa or India, or indeed anywhere else except Sin- 
gapore. Such discoveries might appear trival to the unobser- 
vant mind, but besides the interest they possessed for students 
of the particular branch of natural history to which they 
pertained, they furnished facts for those speculations — for he 
could hardly call them theories — as to the origin and distribu- 
tion of species, which were now exciting so much interest in 
the Scientific World, and the importance of which, in every 
point -of view, could not be disputed. He would detain them 
no longer, but call upon them to adopt the Report presented. 
Sir Gabriel F ropier rose and spoke as follows : — 
Messieurs, 
Permettez-moi dc remercier en votre nom Son Excellence 
le Gouverncur d’ avoir bien voulu venir presider votre seance 
annuel) e. 
Je me sens toujours tres honore d’ avoir a interpreter vos 
sentiments dans dcs occasions semblables, mais je suis peine 
de devoir aujourd’hui cet honneur a des causes regrettables. 
Je regrette que mon honorable ami et collogue de la Vice 
Presidence, prefere s’effacer par exces de modestie, quand sa 
parole, toujours ecoutee avec favour, le serait aussi avec fruit ; 
je regrette surtout que notre President, PHonorable Rush- 
worth, se sente encore trop affaibli, par sa recente maladie^ 
pour vous representer en cettc circonstance. J’espere du 
moins qubl pourra bientbt reprendre sa place parmi nous, 
coramc il a dejii repris ses occupations officiellcs. 
11 est toujours facile cPexprimer des sentiments de recon- 
naissance, parce qu’ils sont bien sentis, ct pen de mots suflisent 
pour dire a Son Excellence que nous sommes touches de la 
nouvclle marque dbnteret qu’Ellc vent bien donner il notre 
Societe. Mais je n’oserais pas, sans preparation, me hasarder 
