64 Animal Products. 



in skins of the lyre bird (Menura superba), the different species 

 of parrots, cockatoos, &c. 



Gruano is found on some of the islands in Port Phillip. 



Our waters, fresh and salt, contain many treasures aAvaiting 

 only enterprising men to raise them. Several species of seals 

 are found near our shores, which are also occasionally visited by 

 whales. Of fish, there is a considerable variety. The Chinese 

 here have already commenced curing fish, a pursuit which might 

 be followed up advantageously. Deep-sea fishing in our waters 

 would render importation of cured fish unnecessary, and at the 

 same time would supply poor and rich with a cheap, wholesome, 

 and plentiful food. Of the freshwater fish the so-called Murray 

 Cod (Grystes Peelii) is the most important ; besides this there are 

 great number of smaller fish. Along with fish, eels of enormous 

 size and excellent flavor are found in the lagoons and creeks of 

 the rivers falling into the sea. We have also excellent oysters 

 crabs, lobsters, and crayfish ; of the latter, the large Astacoides 

 serratus, from the River Murray, is worth mentioning. 



The most useful animals for importation are : camel, drome- 

 dary, Alpaca, Cashmere, Angora, and Californian goat, Merino 

 sheep; then the different species of deer; the hare, beaver, fyc. ; 

 the gazelles and antehp.es of Africa ; the asses of the east ; the 

 genet (viverra genetta) and other vermin-destroying animals. 



Of birds it is desirable to introduce partridges and pheasants 

 — invaluable on account of the abundance of ants throughout 

 these colonies. 



Of insects, the silkworm and the cochenilla, deserve our atten- 

 tion as desirable for introduction. 



When contemplating how much by the introduction of new 

 treasures of the animal empire, may be added to our wealth, we 

 cannot refrain from merely alluding in a single instance to the 

 vast amount of food, which for our increasing population may be 

 obtained by transferring the salmon to our alpine streams — a 

 plan which has hitherto not been merely the subject of vague 

 surmise, but of actual experiments, and which presents appa- 

 rently no obstacle which perseverance and care could not over- 

 come. Again, if we turn our view to the introduction of game, we 

 may safely anticipate that with the gradual extirpation of the 

 dingo, such animals as the deer or the hare would surely multi- 

 ply in our forests. More difficulty may be encountered in 

 domiciling the pheasant and other birds in our ranges, where 

 they have to contend with the hostilities of numerous rapacious 

 birds, and the Dasyuri. 



