1897.] Scientific News. 97 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
Mr. Gosselin, of the British Embassy in Berlin, mentions in a recent 
report (says the Times) that the question of preserving big game in 
German East Africa has been under the consideration of the local au- 
thorities for some time past, and a regulation has been notified at Dar-es- 
Salaam, which it is hoped will do something toward checking the wanton 
destruction of elephants and other indigenous animals. Under this 
regulation every hunter must take out an annual license, for which the 
fee varies from five to 500 rupees, the former being the ordinary fee for 
natives, the latter for elephant and rhinoceros hunting, and for the 
members of sporting expeditions into the interior. Licenses are not 
needed for the purpose of obtaining food, nor for shooting game dam- 
aging cultivated land, nor for shooting apes, beasts of prey, wild boars, 
‘reptiles, and all birds, except ostriches and cranes. Whatever the 
circumstances the shooting is prohibited of all young game—calves, 
foals, young elephants, either tuskless or having tusks under three 
kilos, all female game, if recognizable—except, of course, those in the 
' above category of unprotected animals. Further, in the Moschi dis- 
trict of Kilima-Njaro, no one, whether possessing a license or not, is 
allowed without the special permission of the Governor to shoot ante- 
lopes, giraffes, buffaloes, ostriches and cranes. Further, special per- 
mission must be obtained to hunt these with nets, by kindling fires, or 
by big drives. Those who are not natives have also to pay 100 rupees 
for the first elephant killed, and 250 for each additional one ; and 50 
rupees for the first rhinoceros, and 150 for each succeeding one. Special 
game preserves are also to be established ; and Major von Wissmann, 
in a circular to the local officers, explains that no shooting whatever 
will be allowed in these without special permission from the Govern- 
ment. The reserves will be of interest to science as a means of pre- 
serving from extirpation the rarer species, and the Governor calls for 
suggestions as to the best places for them. They are to extend in each 
direction at least ten hours’ journey on foot. He further asks for sug- 
gestions as to hippopotamus preserves, where injury would not be done to 
plantations. Two districts are already notified as game sanctuaries. 
Major von Wissmann further suggests that the station authorities should 
endeavor to domesticate zebras (especially when crossed with muscat. 
and other asses and horses), ostriches, and hyena dogs crossed with a 
European breeds. Mr. Gosselin remarks that the best means of pre- 
venting the extermination of elephants would be to fix by international 
alana amongst all the powers on the East African coast a close 
