The South Australian MaturaJist. 



FLINDERS CHASE. 



By S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U. 



At last a splendid heritage has . been secured fur this 

 State in the creation of this great fauna and flora reserve on 

 kangaroo Island. The people of South Australia at the pre- 

 sent time do not, perhaps, realize the importance of "Fhnders 

 Chase," but as the years creep on it will be seen that this 

 reserve v/ill become more and more ''a thing of beauty and a 

 joy for ever." Not only so, but it will be realized that 

 "Flinders Chase" is one of the finest assets that the State 



possesses. 



In Australia there 

 are to be found 

 plants and animals 

 which flourished 



elsewhere in an ear- 

 lier period of the 

 earth's development, 

 but in the other parts 



^ Maupe rtiu s 



Scale. , 



I I I I ! I 



mi las 



- L iq h t h ouse ^^^ 



of the globe the re- 

 lentless march of 

 time and civilization 

 has completely elim- 

 inated them. There 

 is no doubt that in 

 the future, as in the 

 past, science will l)e 

 looking to this coun- 

 try for solutions of 

 biological problems. 

 Vv'ith the advance of civilization, our wonderful native birds 

 and beasts will assuredly share the fate of numerous species 

 in other parts of the world, and will become extinct. With 

 proper management. Flinders Chase will prove a fitting place 

 to preserve these fast-disappearing forms. 



We must also remember that Kangaroo Island has a 

 geological, zoological, and botanical history of its own, quite 

 important enough to justify its reservation for present and 

 future srenerations. The Chase is most wonderfullv suitable 

 f(!r a National Reserve, on account of its isolation from the 

 mainland, and the absence of the most injurious pests, especi- 

 ally the fox and rabbit. This gives it a great advantage over 

 manv similar reserves in the Commonwealth. 



