46 THE SOCIETY FOE THE PEESEEVATION OF 



ON THE BEST MODE OF PEESEEVING THE EXIST- 

 ENCE OF THE LAEGEE MAMMALS OF AFEICA 

 FOE FUTUEE AGES. 



By P, L. Sclatek, De.So., F.K.S., &c. 



It is, I suppose, universally admitted that, unless serious 

 measures be taken for preserving the existence of the larger 

 mammals still found on some parts of the earth's surface, they 

 will all become extinct in the course of a few more generations of 

 men, and be known to our descendants only by stuffed specimens 

 in our museums, and by pictures and photographs in our libraries. 

 Such has already become the case with the bison in America and 

 with the bluebuck in Africa. Such will be the case with all the 

 other larger mammals that require wide spaces of unenclosed 

 land for their well-being and reproduction. 



It is to endeavour to counteract the progress of this gigantic 

 misfortune that the Society for the Preservation of the Wild 

 Fauna of the Empire has been founded. Even if its exertions 

 only serve to defer the evil day a little longer, a worthy deed will 

 have been accomplished. 



The efficient work that has been already performed in this 

 direction by the institution of large Game Beserves (and game 

 officers to guard them) in most of our African Colonies and 

 Protectorates, must be well known to all who have studied the 

 first volume of the Society's 'Journal.' May it go on and 

 prosper ! But it seems to me that a still larger and bolder 

 scheme may be suggested in furtherance of the desired object, if 

 the necessary means can be found to carry it out ; and it is con- 

 cerning this scheme, which I have long thought of, that I wish to 

 offer a few remarks on the present occasion. 



The five important mammals of Africa that deserve special 

 measures to be taken for their preservation are, in my opinion, 

 the elepbant, the rhinoceros, the giraffe, the eland, and the zebra. 

 The forms and characters of these animals are well know to us 

 from examples living in our Zoological Gardens, but I will 

 nevertheless say a few words on the special merits of each of 

 them. 



1. The African Elephant (Elsphaa africanus). — It is com- 

 monly believed that the African elephant, unlike its Indian brother, 

 is savage and untamable, and cannot be used in captivity. This, 

 however, as is known from experience at the Gardens of the 

 Zoological Society of London and elsewhere, is a great mistake. 



