76 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Some Notes on Acclimatized Animals. 

 By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 



On my making some observations on the desirableness of obtaining 

 information with respect to the acchmatization of domestic animals 

 in different parts of the world, and especially in our distant colonies, 

 at the British Association Meeting at Cambridge, last year, the 

 Committee of the Natural-History Section recommended, and the 

 General Committee adopted the proposition, that a Committee should 

 be formed, consisting of Dr. Sclater, Mr. Alfred Newton, Mr .Wallace, 

 and myself, to report on the acclimatization of Domestic Quadrupeds 

 and Birds, and how they are affected by migration. 



The following circular has been prepared by Mr. Wallace, and 

 adopted by the Committee, and is being extensively circulated, in the 

 hope of obtaining replies which will enable the Committee to form 

 their report on authentic information ; and I can only say that I 

 shall be most happy to receive information on any of the points 

 which any of the readers of the * Annals ' may have the kindness to 

 forward to me or to the other members of the Committee. 



"Points of Inquiry to which the Attention of Persons 

 resident in extra-european countries is especially 

 requested. 



*'A. — As to Domesticated Animals which are also indigenous to the 



Country, 



" \ . Ascertain what animals indigenous to the country are domes- 

 ticated in it. 



"2. What external differences exist between the wild and domes- 

 ticated races ? 



" 3. Do the domesticated intermix with the wild animals ? 



**4. Can perfect domestication be produced in the wild individual ? 

 • — if so, in what length of time, and through what means ? 



"5. Do the offspring of the domesticated animals in any case show 

 a tendency to return to the wild state ? 



"6. Where perfect domestication only takes place in the second 

 or future generations, state what particulars of the progress you can 

 ascertain. 



" B. — As to Domesticated Animals which have been introduced 

 from other Countries. 



" 7. Give a list of the domesticated animals of this class in the 

 country. 



" 8. Ascertain, if possible, the date when any of these were first 

 introduced. 



" 9. State, in the case of each animal, whether fresh importations 

 are still frequently or occasionally occurring. 



"10. State what external differences exist between any of these 

 animals and those of the same species in Europe, 



