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moment is appearing almost in the same spots in a very serious manner. But the most considerable nonnen' pest of all took place in Russia, and spread from 1845-1868 in a most devastating manner over Poland, Lithuania, and East Prussia. The invasion in East Prussia began suddenly in 1853, in the night of July 29-30, and covered a superficies of about 60 German square miles in the administra- tion of Gumbinnen, after it had already crossed over in 1851 and 1852 the southern boundary of the administration of Königsberg. At that time the 'nonnen' moths were driven by a storm into the sea while on their way, so that the insects were thrown up by the waves on to the coasts for a distance of 10 German miles in a bank 7 feet wide and 6 inches thick, and were used as manure by the coast inha- bitants. The extent of the ravages in Russia at that time was 6,400 German geographical square miles, in East Prussia 600 ditto, total 7,000. At the very least 55,000,000 Prussian cords or wood, of 184,000,000 cubic metres of wood, became the prey of 'nonnen' and bark beetles.

"These few examples may suffice to show that the 'nonnen' have made their appearance in former centuries in large numbers, and have generally disappeared with equal suddenness. The present catastrophe will likewise come to an end, after causing heavy losses, though it may possibly return many years later. But we possess no radical remedy against the 'nonnen,' and it seems doubtful if we shall ever find one. At all events it is the duty of the forest managers, forest owners, the Govern- ment, and the whole population to come to close quarters in every possible way with this dangerous visitor, even although Nature herself up till now has proved herself the best helper, and may continue so in future. When, however, the present evil will be conquered that God alone can certainly tell-"Let us hope for the best.""

73. The experience gained in Europe and related above is useful as indicating the habits and peculiarities of tree-eating caterpillars, and what the prospects may possibly be of the re-invasion in Hongkong of the caterpillar with which we have had so unfortunate an experience. There is one comfort here which was denied those on the European continent, viz., that our caterpillar does not seem to have the capacity to live on any other tree or plant except the common pine, so that all other things have been quite exempt from attack. The moth of our caterpillar, on the other hand, is not attracted by light, which I proved last May when experimenting with a view of ascertaining the best practicable methods of destroying the caterpillar.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,

Botanical and Afforestation Department.

Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Forestry Products,.

Sale of Plants,

Loan of Plants,

Colonial Secretary, &c.,

fc.,

He.

Appendix A.

TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT DURING 1894.

$ 770.22 501.76

47.40

Appendix B.

$ 1,319.38

CHARLES FORD,

Superintendent,

Botanical & Afforestation Department.

*Acampe multiflora.

Aërides affine?

Lobbii.

"

odoratum.

LIST OF ORCHIDS CULTIVATED IN THE GARDENS.

*Bletia hyacinthina.

37

""

var alba. *Bulbophyllum delitescens. *Calanthe Veitchii.

*

quinquevuluerum.

testaceum.

*Anæctochilus Dawsouianus.

*

**

Roxburghii.

sp. (Formosa).

Ansellia africana. *Appendicula bifaria. *Arundina chinensis.

*

veratrifolia. vestita.

J

lutea.

,,

Cattleya citrina.

crispa. Dowiana. Gaskelliana.

13

"

gigas,

*These have flowered in Gardens.