38 
of India, insure tlieir successful introduction at an early period. 
This particular kind of silkworm requires none of the attendance 
which would make the mulberry silkworm so expensive in this 
country ; and instead of one or at most two crops of silk in the 
year, it affords a large number and thrives on the ricinut, or castor 
oil plant, which grows like a weed and retains its foliage to feed all 
the successive broods of the year. The cocoons of this kind of large 
silkworm are not unwound, but torn up and manufactured by ordi¬ 
nary cotton machinery, to form the very durable coarse silk used 
for men’s summer clothing, etc. 
Sir Charles Darling called attention to the society which had 
just been formed at Brunswick,* having for its object the prevention 
of injury' to birds, each member of the society—comprising a large 
number of boys in the neighbourhood—having undertaken to ab¬ 
stain from injuring, and to prevent others from injuring, birds or 
their nests. 
On the motion of Dr. T. Black, a cordial vote of thanks was 
given to His Excellencv • after which the meeting separated. 
* The following is the card of membership:— 
BRUNSWICK BIRD DEFENCE CLUB. 
President— THEODOTUS JOHN SUMNER, Member oe the Victoria Acclimatisation 
SOCIBTT. 
Honorary Secretary— C. P. M. BARDIN. 
MEMBER’S CARD. 
I promise that I will not rob a Bird’s Nest, nor throw stones at any 
Bird, and I also pledge myself to defend to my utmost any Bird I may see 
attacked. 
Bi/jned 
