Ayres has returned to Port Louis from Flat Island, having accepted an appointment at Cannonier Point. There is a quarantine period, during which time he will be 'otherwise employed'. His first business will be to examine and report on the sanitary conditions of Port Louis. Ayres has stayed with his friend Dr Sandwith, the Colonial Secretary, at his home at Plaines Wilhelms. Plaines Wilhelms has changed a lot since the introduction and expansion of sugar cultivation, which has led to deforestation. There is also a new Governor and new Colonial Secretary; Ayres expects the large surplus of funds, which was previously being hoarded, will now be spent on improvement of the colony. Ayres believes that all of the plants growing on Flat Island also grow on Mauritius Island, apart from the Psidias. Now he has returned to Mauritius Island, Ayres plans more botanical excursions, including an imminent one to the upper part of Plaines Wilhelm. Ayres has a list of things, sent to him by Mr Smith, for Hooker's museum, which he hopes now to supply. He will procure fruits of Pandanus, a very common plant. Ayres sent a box of cryptogammia directed to Mr Berkeley of Kings Cliffe with one of the officers of the Scotland Steamer but he has not heard of its arrival. Ayres will be able to send things by Blygh's ships: his friend Dr Beke, the Abyssinian traveller, is a partner in Blygh's house. Ayres is a member of the Literary Institute. He has been proposed as a member of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences, which has a library rich in botanical works, including all those used by Bojer, as well as a herbarium that Mr Bouton showed him. Ayres has some branches of Scaevola koenigii with pith to send. He hopes Hooker has already received the box Mrs Newman took charge of. Ayres will send specimens of ferns, mosses and algaes in particular. He is unlikely to send Psidias, as the glutinous resin on their surface makes them difficult to dry. Pages 1 and 4 of 5.