Dr. J. E. Gray on the Acclimatization of Animals. 293 



semidomesticated state various species of wild cattle, such as theGyal, 

 the Gour, and the Banting, and have even obtained some hybrid 

 breeds between some of them and the Zebus, as well as the Buffalo, 

 which they have in common witli Africa and the south of Europe. 

 In the park of the Governor-General of India there are large herds 

 of the Black Antelope, the Axis Deer, and the Porcine Deer in a semi- 

 domestic state ; and our officers found in the park of the Emperor of 

 China at Pekin more than one species of domesticated native Deer. 

 "We have as yet received from Japan only one peculiar species of 

 domestic animal, viz, a Pig with a plaited face (Sus plicatus) ; but 

 it is not unlikely that the Deer called Cerrua Sika is a domesticated 

 species, like the Cervus Swinhoii of Formosa. In Celebes there is 

 a small Buffalo called A)wa ; and in the same island, as well as in 

 Java and some of the other islands of the Indian Ocean, most of 

 the aboriginal pigs, including the Babirussa, have been more or less 

 completely domesticated. These numerous instances will suffice to 

 show how largely Asiatics have been enabled to draw around them 

 for additions to their domestic or half-domestic races ; but a glance 

 at the habits and manners of most of them will suffice to show 

 liow little they would be suited to our more northern climate, and 

 how small would be the advantage gained were it possible to intro- 

 duce them here. 



Africa has only sent to Europe the Guinea-fowl, that vagrant 

 from our farm-yards ; but it too has some domesticated animals of its 

 own. In the more fertile and well-watered parts of that continent 

 there exist at least five different kinds of domestic cattle: — the 

 Buffalo {Hot Bubalufi) and Immpless cattle, which appear to be of 

 the same species and to be derived from the same source as the 

 Buffalo and domestic Oxen of Europe. The African Zebu {Bos 

 Dante) appears to be distinct from the Zebu of India, and is proba- 

 bly an imiigenous domestic race ; and the long-eared bush-cattle, or 

 Zamous {lios Ijrachycero*), are certainly an aboriginal species peculiar 

 to tropical Africa. Besides these, it has, in the Desert regions, the 

 Camel in common with Asia : this animal is also partially domesti- 

 cated in the southern parts of Europe. 



America had only three or (if we reckon the Dog) at most four 

 domestic animals belonging to the country before it was discovered 

 by Europeans, who have, however, since introduced into it most of 

 those which they themselves previously possessed. The Turkey was 

 only domesticated by the native Mexicans ; and it may be observed 

 that in Europe these birds have only been imperfectly naturalized, 

 requiring ])eculiar care and attention in their early stages to protect 

 them from the effects of an ungenial climate. The Llama and Alpaca 

 were also early domesticated by the native Peruvians ; and it would 

 appear as if these animals would not bear transportation to other 

 (juarters. All the attempts, at least, which have hitherto been made 

 to introduce them into Europe and Australia have resulted in failure. 

 The Esquimaux inhabiting the more northern regions have a peculiar 

 race of dogs, which are in the highest degree useful to them ; but it 

 appears to be of the same original stock with the dogs of Europe, 

 and had probably passed from one continent to the other. 



