44 MOSTLY MAMMALS 
offspring, these would almost certainly resemble their 
grandparents and not their parents. Another factor in the 
case must not be overlooked—namely, the absence of wild 
zebras from the great forest tracts, like Congoland, of 
Africa; and the consequent uncertainty whether these 
animals when domesticated would thrive in such districts. 
Possibly the hybrids might be found to do so, but it 
is quite likely that the pure-bred animals would require 
several generations of domesticity. Probably Grévy’s zebra, 
on account of its large size and good shape, would be the 
species best adapted for domestication. 
With regard to the acclimatisation of various species of 
foreign deer in European parks and forests, there is little 
doubt that many of the larger kinds, such as the American 
wapiti, would flourish and multiply. But such deer, es- 
pecially after being kept in captivity, are apt to be spiteful 
at certain times of the year, on which ground their in- 
troduction is not altogether advisable. 
The same remark will apply in a degree to the Altai 
wapiti, the Manchurian wapiti, and the large red-deer of 
the Caucasus and Persia. The pretty little Japanese deer 
(Cervus sica), and their somewhat larger cousin the 
Manchurian deer (C. sica manchuricus), both of which are 
fully spotted in summer, have, however, already been success- 
fully introduced into parks in Ireland, England, and the 
Continent, where there is every prospect that they will 
continue to thrive. Moreover, the much larger and still 
more brilliantly coloured Peking deer (C. hortulorum) may 
be seen at liberty in numbers in the Duke of Bedford’s park 
at Woburn; and from its comparatively large size, fine 
antlers, beautifully spotted summer coat, and generally 
handsome appearance, it is a species in every way suited 
for acclimatisation in Europe. 
