232 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



might be difficult to prevent the protected thylacines 

 from ravaging the sheep farms as of old. In this 

 connection one recollects the case of the protected 

 hippopotami in Natal, which, in spite of long- 

 continued and enlightened efforts for their preser- 

 vation, had to be destroyed on account of their 

 repeated inroads on the crops of neighbouring 

 farmers. Besides, to fence in the tiger wolf reserve 

 would incur expense of considerable proportions. 

 Per contra, one remembers that Revolution Island 

 has recently been set aside as a New Zealand bird 

 refuge ; similarly a few thylacines might be trapped 

 and turned out on some uninhabited island to "mind 

 themselves " in a natural sanctuary. Truly the 

 future of the thylacine — if it is to have any — hangs 

 in the balance, and may fulfil the prophesy made by 

 an experienced naturalist to the present writer — " I 

 have seen one and shall never see another." Absit 

 omen ! 



