^ New Light on the Tragedy of Civilisation 



the destruction of the stately representatives of the animal 

 world, went on at giant speed in the United States. The 

 almost complete extinction of the splendid American bison, 

 that once roamed in millions over the prairies of the 

 United States, is one of the most startling facts illustrating 

 the destruction of wild animals through the introduction 

 of civilisation. This fact had no slight influence in pro- 

 curing the enactment of severe measures. 



In a land like the United States such measures are 

 possible, advantageous, and practicable. In other coun- 

 tries, too, which are in a settled condition, similar 

 regulations have everywhere come into force of late years. 

 Thus, for instance, the remnants of the fauna of Australia 

 are now protected by stringent laws. But quite different, 

 and much more difficult, are the conditions of the problem 

 with regard to Africa. There, more than anywhere else, 

 the time has come for protective regulations. But how 

 can these measures be enforced, however well they may be 

 thought out ? We must keep before our eyes the terrible 

 example of the disappearance of the animal world of 

 South Africa, as the result of the extremely rapid spread 

 of civilised life. We can now, with the help of statements 

 made by trustworthy writers, survey the various phases of 

 this utter destruction of animal life during the last century, 

 and so form an Idea of what awaits other parts of the 

 Dark Continent. 



Powerful voices have been raised of late in favour of 

 the preservation of African wild life, and this especially 

 in England. In this respect, Mr. Edward North Buxton 

 is most prominent in pressing for thorough measures 



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