HARDY ON PROVINCIAL ACCLIMATIZATION. 17 



parks of wealthy individuals, in Great Britain and on the Conti- 

 nent, in breedmg foreign deer, antelopes, &c., has given rise to 

 extended popular movements in this dii-ection, called Acclimatiza- 

 tion Societies, in France, England, Germany, and the Anstralian 

 colonies. The British Society has offshoots in various parts of the 

 United Kingdom, in New Zealand, and in Palermo. These Socie- 

 ties are supported in some cases by voluntary subscriptions ; others 

 are aided by large legislative grants of money ; whilst all receive 

 great assistance from government in the free transit of animals, &c., 

 by men-of-war ; and in some cases grants of land for experimental 

 parks or faiins. The following enunciation of the purposes of the 

 English Society, contained in the Rules, will afford a just conception 

 of the ideas and intentions by which all are animated. 



It aims, 1st, at the introduction, acclimatization, and domesti- 

 cation of mammals, birds, fishes, insects and vegetables, whether 

 useful or ornamental. 



2. The perfection, propagation, and hybridization, of creatui'es 

 akeady domesticated. 



3. The spread of indigenous and naturalized animals, &c., from 

 parts of the United Kingdom where they are already known, to 

 other localities where they are not known. 



4. The procuring, whether by purchase, gift, or exchange, of 

 animals, &c., from British colonies and foreign countries. 



5. The transmission of animals, &c., from England to her 

 colonies and foreign parts, in exchange for others sent from thence 

 to the Society. 



6. The holding of periodical meetings, and the publication of 

 Reports and Transactions, for the purpose of spreading knowledge 

 of acclimatization, and of inquiry into the cause of failure. 



"Without going into minute detaUs of the establishments, theii* 

 successes and failures, let us here briefly glance at what has been 

 accomplished by these Societies in various portions of the globe 

 during the past three or four years of theii* mfancy. As might be 

 expected, no complete success on so large a scale as to have passed 

 beyond the nursing of the Society, has yet been recorded, whilst 

 failures and disappointments have been numerous and hea-vy ; yet 

 the Societies are satisfied wdth their progress, and learning to look 

 more to the necessaiy qualifications for successful acclimatization, 

 are gi'ving greater attention to a few subjects. 

 2 



