5^ TiMEHRI. 
The following letter to the Secretary from Mr. R. W. S. 
Mitchell, Calcutta, was read : — 
^' Sir, — I have addressed the Government on the subject 
of the introdu6lion of the " Bos Bubalus " or Indian 
Buffalo. I am sure this animal would be a most valuable 
addition to the Colony's live stock. 
2. They are larger, and stronger far, than ordinary 
cattle, good " milkers" and thrive in swampy lands and 
on the coarsest pasturage, where ordinary cattle can 
barely exist. 
3. The whole of the Ghi used here is manufa6lured 
from their milk, and the animal is a familiar obje6l in the 
Indian landscape, and I am sure would be attra6live to 
the Indian peasant and dispose him to settle in the 
Colony. 
4. The price of these animals is surprisingly low, con- 
sidering their utility. They may be bought while young 
for fifteen or twenty Rupees, and a few could readily be 
sent in each immigrant ship annually I think." 
The President stated that the matter of importing 
Buffaloes had been considered by the Dire6lors and 
approved, since which they had learnt that the Govern- 
ment were introducing some. 
Mr, Gilzean said that the Zebu would be more valuable 
than the Buffalo, for they had properly speaking very 
little swampy land, and in dry weather none. Some 
Buffaloes had already been imported but the experiment 
proved a failure as they could not get enough water to 
cool themselves at some seasons. 
The following letter, and a circular, to the Secretary 
from Mr. J. l.. Ohlson, Secretary, West India Committee 
was read :— 
