Proceedings of the Natural History Society of the Mauritius

Abstract

The proceedings detail the vibrant activity of the Natural History Society of the Mauritius between October 1830 and August 1831, emphasising the acquisition of its first official meeting space at the Royal College and the commencement of its Library and Herbarium.

Highlights of the sessions include:

• Recognition and Growth: The Society established formal reciprocal membership and publication agreements with the South African Institution. It received high international praise, notably from Baron Cuvier, who ordered his bust to be presented (which arrived on the second anniversary of his birthday, August 24, 1831). Mr W. Bojer received a gold medal and 1,000 piastres from the Emperor of Austria for his work.

• Scientific Reports: Papers covered diverse local subjects: the description of a new fish genus, Platésome (Battoir); an analysis of the Polypes and Polypiers (corals); the observation of rare birds like the Cuckoo (Cuculus Canorus); and a geological description of the Souffleur (Southern coast).

• Technological and Applied Science: Discussions included Captain Pole's new method for steam-ships, Dr. Lyall's demonstration of an Apparatus for rapid cooking, and his lecture on the use of lime (specifically avoiding Madrepore lime) for sugar clarification.

• Significant Historical/Fossil Find: A critical note clarifies that bone fragments believed to belong to the Dodo (Didus ineptus) were found in a cavern on Isle Rodrigue in 1786, not accidentally among Mauritius fossils, as previously reported by European journals.

• Physical Observations: Mr. Faraguet presented a geometric table on the variation of sea temperature with depth (based on Astrolabe data), and a report confirmed that the heat in Cornish mines increases by 1∘ Fahrenheit for every 65 feet of depth.

• Foreign Relations: The Queen of the Ovas in Madagascar sponsored a course in practical chemistry for her subjects. The Society also received donations and reports from visitors concerning New Zealand cannibalism and the volcanic eruptions on Bourbon.