BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY). 79 



serious falling off in their numbers in the near future ; and the 

 security of the whales and of the whaling industry gives rise to 

 much anxiety. The oil obtainable from whales was shown to be a 

 national asset of vital importance during the War, and the necessity 

 of avoiding over-production leading to the extermination of the 

 whales is admitted by all those who know the facts. The urgency 

 of the question has been recognised by the Trustees, who have made 

 representations to the Colonial Office on the importance of taking 

 action, including international action if necessary, in order to prevent 

 an undue depletion of the stock of whales. 



The Falkland Islands Committee, on which the Museum was 

 represented by the Director of the Natural History Departments, 

 has completed its labours, and has prepared a Report, which was 

 signed by all its members. This report contains the recommendation 

 that an expedition should be equipped and maintained for a period of 

 years, for the purpose of investigating whaling and other problems 

 in southern waters, with the view of obtaining scientific evidence on 

 which protective measures could be based. This recommendation 

 lias received the full support of the Trustees. 



Sealing in the Falkland Islands. 



A report was received through the Governor of the Falkland 

 Islands and the Colonial Office on the sealing operations in that 

 Dependency for the season ending 30th September, 1918, the 

 results showing a slight decrease in the total catch on that for the 

 preceding year. The Colonial Office has been asked to ensourage 

 the delivery of satisfactory annual reports, and to be on the look-out 

 for oversealing — special emphasis being laid on the importance of 

 maintaining a Seal Reserve for the permanent protection of these 

 animals. 



Reindeer in South Georgia. 



Further information has been received with regard to the 

 progress of the experiment of the acclimatization of reindeer in 

 South Georgia. A herd of 70 animals was observed in the early 

 part of 1919, mostly full-grown and in excellent condition. This 

 news is specially interesting in view of a serious accident which 

 took place in August, 1918, when 17 reindeer were lost by falling 

 over a precipice. 



With regard to the destructive effect said to be produced by 

 sheep on the native " tussac " grass, it has been found that when 

 sheep have been grazing the grass dies off for about three years, 

 and is then capable of re-establishing itself only from seed. The 

 grass will not spring up again from the roots even when left to 

 itself. This result is not produced by the grazing of reindeer or 

 goats. 



Proteotion of Animals. 



Further papers (ordinances, regulations, &c.) with reference to 

 the protection of animals in the Dominions and various British 

 Colonies and Dependencies have been received from the Colonial 



