I70 TlMEHRl. 
A petition was read from Christian J. and Isaac 
London, St. Michael's Parish, West Coast of Berbice, 
asking from the Society a loan of $300 to assist them in 
the ereftion of machinery for sugar making and arrow- 
root manufacture. 
The Secretary was dire6led to reply to the petitioners 
stating that although the Society sympathized with their 
efforts, no funds were available for the purpose. 
The thanks of the Society were accorded for the 
following presentations : — 
Report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1884. 
A large number of Indo-Colonial Exhibition cata- 
logues, pamphlets, Colonial hand-books, &c, presented 
by Mr. G. H. Hawtayne, C.M.G. and the other Commis- 
sioners of the Indo-Colonial Exhibition, as per lists at- 
tached. 
The meeting then terminated. 
Circular, from Mr. D. Morris, of Kew, on fruit ship- 
ments from the Colonies, with appended questions on 
Colonial fruit trade : — 
1. I have the honour to report, for the information of the Secretary of 
State for the Colonies, that considerable interest has been awakened in 
regard to Tropical and other fruits, by the display of fruits in the 
several Courts at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition ; and by the sale 
of fresh fruit in the Colonial Market attached to this Exhibition. 
2. The fact that excellent fruits, such as oranges, lemons, pears, 
apples, &c, can be obtained in a fresh state from the Southern Hemi- 
sphere (Natal, Australia, &c.,) at a time when fruits of this kind are not 
obtainable in the Northern Hemisphere, has suggested the idea that the 
resources of our Colonial Possessions in this respect are capable of 
great expansion, and the subject one well worthy of being thoroughly 
investigated. 
