324 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



So great has been their fecundity that there are now hut few 

 places in Victoria in which they do not exist — from Point Nepean, 

 along the coast from Queenscliff to Geelong ; in Gisborne, Ballan, 

 Bacchus Marsh ; away north-west to Nhill and north to Swan 

 Hill ; along the Murray Biver ; on the New South Wales and 

 the South Australian borders — Gippsland, and the surrounding 

 district, being the only place in which they are conspicuous by 

 their absence. 



In the rangy district of Mansfield they have made an appear- 

 ance, and the Buffalo, Howqua, King, and other rivers in the 

 neighbourhood of Bright and Myrtleford, are now invaded by these 

 pests in large numbers. It is, however, noticeable that in places 

 where the soil is hard, or the climate cold or wet, the Babbit 

 does not increase to anything like the extent observable in 

 country more suited to them, such as sand-hills, pine-ridges, 

 &c. There is also another peculiarity observed, which will be 

 borne out by all who have had any great experience on this 

 subject, namely, that where Hares increase and become numerous 

 the Babbits do not. There may be an exception to this, such as 

 on the "VVerribee Estate, but nevertheless it is the rule. 



It is doubtful, says Mr. Morgan, whether many persons are 

 aware of the immense loss which has been sustained in this 

 colony through the ravages of the Babbits, but it is an undoubted 

 fact that as much as .£23,000 has been expended to clear one 

 estate, and keep the pests under, and in many others it has cost 

 the owners large sums from £15,000 downwards. 



In 1877 Bruin Station carried 36,000 sheep, rental, £500 ; in 

 1879, 10,000, run abandoned ; re-let under grazing license for 

 £56. Wanga and Nipo, once carrying 20,000 sheep; rental, 

 £400 ; now not a sheep on the run, which was also abandoned, 

 and re-let for £20. Lake Hindmarsh carried, in 1877, 33,000 

 sheep ; lost 25,000 in two years ; rent £700, now £72. Corong, 

 in 1877, 36,000 sheep, now 3000 ; rent £1050, now £150; and 

 several others are mentioned as being in an equally bad position. 



During the years 1884, 1885, 1886 the Government expended, 

 in the extirpation of Babbits in Victoria, about £30,000, chiefly 

 by poisoning with phospborized oats and wheat, arsenic in bran 

 and chaff, and bisulphide of carbon, and by paying 3d. a dozen 

 on all skins or scalps of Babbits produced to the agents. In 

 this way at least 157,000 dozen were brought in (equal to 



