CHAP, vi.] WHETHER DOMESTICABLE. 191 



long entire list of Columbidae, we should happen to 

 possess in this island the sole species of the family 

 which is capable of domestication. Twenty-one species 

 are already described by Mr. Gould in Australia alone, 

 and it is not too much to say that not one of them has 

 yet had a trial fora few (of their) successive generations. 



The nearer any creatures are to attaining the faculty 

 of domesticability, without actually arriving at the re- 

 quired docility of disposition, the more disappointing 

 and provoking are they to the baffled experimenter. 

 New species, and from new countries, afford matter for 

 speculative trial, which becomes the more hopeful as the 

 subject of it approaches nearer to races which have 

 already submitted to our sway. The Collared Turtle, 

 with a little more love of home, and a little more per- 

 sonal affection, would be as securely our dependent 

 vassal as the Fantail and the Tumbler. How exciting 

 if there be any likelihood of success with the Australian 

 Pigeons ! It will surely be acknowledged that these 

 newly-discovered creatures deserve to be fairly tested, 

 species by species, (to see what is in them, not what we 

 can make of them,) to secure the chance that, amidst 

 the multitude of blanks for the poultry-yard, some grand 

 prize, like the Turkey from America, may unexpectedly 

 turn up. 



It will be remarkable, indeed, if, after every patient 

 endeavour, among all the Pigeons, the C. lima, and its 

 reputed descendants are the only truly domesticable 

 species. It will be an apt comment on the great things 

 man is to do, the domestic races he is even to create! 

 It will be a broad hint, as good nearly as the admonition 

 of an ever-present Prophet, could we but understand it 



