7 
liberated by Mr. R. T. Firebrace at Heyfield, in Gipps Land. These 
birds, which have been recently seen, itis anticipated, from thewildness 
of their nature, will readily take to the bush, and as they breed 
rapidly, will soon prove of value to sportsmen and others. Twelve 
Ceylon partridges have been taken charge of by Mr. Austin, for the 
purpose of turning loose at Barwon Park. 
The Council are glad to be able to assure the members that the 
English hare may be looked upon as fairly established. At the 
Royal Park the two brace that were turned loose have bred re¬ 
peatedly, and the animals are seen every day ; whilst at Phillip 
Island they have increased so rapidly that Mr. M'Haffie estimates 
their number as exceeding 200. Several of the birds that 
were turned loose on Phillip Island are known to be increasing, and 
Mr! M'Haflie has in the most generous manner presented the Society 
with a herd of some eighty, head of fallow deer, now running on 
the island. The Society has received, through the kindness of Sir 
William Ilotkorand Mr. GeorgeM‘Leay,alargc number of the cork-oak 
trees, which, although not a new introduction, yet are of so valuable a 
character as to render it desirable to multiply them as fast as possible. 
Major Michael, of the Indian army, has also sent from Madras a large 
parcel of senna seed, whiclihas been extensively circulated through the 
colony; and the Society is indebted to Mr. L. A. Bernays, of Brisbane, 
for a few roots of the Convolvulusjalapa, Mr. Bernays having received 
them through Sir Thomas Baring. The Council took advantage of 
the arrival of some superior varieties o f Spanish chestnut trees at 
Sydney, to secure a few for this colony. 
The Council regret to state that a second attempt to introduce 
the castor oil silkworm has failed : but, as upon the first occasion, 
the failure arose, not from any insuperable difficulty, but simply from 
delay on the passage. A third, and it is to be hoped, a successful, 
experiment, is now in course of being carried out. Professor McCoy 
who has always been most anxious to secure the introduction of ths, 
silkworm, has written full instructions how to prepare the worms for 
the voyage, and these have been transmitted to the gentleman who 
is kindly acting for the Society in India. 
At the request of Mr. J. J. Stutzer, the Council have written to 
the British Ministers at Teheran and Yokohama for a supply of the 
best mulberry silkworm eggs, it being the opinion of competent 
persons almost*iinpossiblo to procure healthy eggs from any part of 
Europe. **' 
In order to afford cover for the birds which are being constantly 
* 
