7 
for distribution, and lately a supply of very superior Japanese eggs, 
sucb as are seldom sold to foreigners, liave been forwarded by Dr. 
Bennett, the Hon. Sec. of the Acclimatisation Society of New 
South AVales. The Council is in communication with the Hon. 
Mr. Verdon, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Silk Supply Associa¬ 
tion of London, and with Mr. Francis Cobb, the hon. secretary of 
that institution, and have asked the latter gentleman whether 
it would come within the scope of the operations of the 
Association to appoint some person in Melbourne to purchase 
cocoons, as there are a number of people who hold parcels, aud are 
discouraged at not being able to turn the fruit of their labour into 
money. Until an answer has been received to this letter, the 
Council is prepared to forward cocoons to London, the sender paying 
the freight; and would impress upon sericulturists that it is quite un¬ 
necessary to reel the silk, as that operation is performed much better 
in England where machinery exists for the purposo. The Silk 
Supply Association, in one of their Eeports recently published! 
recognises no less than 36,000 square miles of country in Victoria 
well suited to the growth of silk, and when the numerous 
young plantations Gome into bearing, a great stimulus will be given 
to this industry, which in all probability will, before many years, 
add materially to the wealth of tho colony. The Council would 
here express their thanks to the President and Professor M'Coy, for 
the great interest they have always shown in developing sericulture. 
The deer turned out at various times have increased rapidly, 
the Council have heard from time to time of considerable herds 
having become established in different parts of'the country. The 
axis deer on the Grampians are numerous and widely spread, and 
other parts of the colony are stocked with varieties of the same 
animal. There aro at present some surplus deer at the Society’s 
Gardens at the Loyal Park, which will be shortly liberated in 
suitable localities removed from settlement, whilst many have 
already been toned out this year. 
The hares have increased in a very marked manner, and are 
rapidly extending throughout the country : a few have been lately 
placed in a district well suited to them, about forty miles from 
town, and tho Council have in addition sent some to Tasmania and 
