44 MOSTLY MAMMALS 



offspring, these would almost certainly resemble their 

 grandparents and not their parents. Another factor in the 

 case must not be overlooked — namely, the absence of wild 

 zebras from the great forest tracts, like Congoland, of 

 Africa ; and the consequent uncertainty whether these 

 animals when domesticated would thrive in such districts. 

 Possibly the hybrids might be found to do so, but it 

 is quite likely that the pure-bred animals would require 

 several generations of domesticity. Probably Grevy's zebra, 

 on account of its large size and good shape, would be the 

 species best adapted for domestication. 



With regard to the acclimatisation of various species of 

 foreign deer in European parks and forests, there is little 

 doubt that many of the larger kinds, such as the American 

 wapiti, would flourish and multiply. But such deer, es- 

 pecially after being kept in captivity, are apt to be spiteful 

 at certain times of the year, on which ground their in- 

 troduction is not altogether advisable. 



The same remark will apply in a degree to the Altai 

 wapiti, the Manchurian wapiti, and the large red-deer of 

 the Caucasus and Persia. The pretty little Japanese deer 

 [Cervus sica), and their somewhat larger cousin the 

 Manchurian deer (C sica manchuricas), both of which are 

 fully spotted in summer, have, however, already been success- 

 fully introduced into parks in Ireland, England, and the 

 Continent, where there is every prospect that they will 

 continue to thrive. Moreover, the much larger and still 

 more brilliantly coloured Peking deer (C. hortulorurn) may 

 be seen at liberty in numbers in the Duke of Bedford's park 

 at Woburn ; and from its comparatively large size, fine 

 antlers, beautifully spotted summer coat, and generally 

 handsome appearance, it is a species in every way suited 

 for acclimatisation in Europe. 



