GENERAL NOTES. 79 
institution, after holding the position of lecturer on Natural . 
Science only a few months. 
The rapid changes which have taken place in the staff during 
the last few years cannot but have been hurtful to the progress 
of the work carried on at the College. Three teachers of Natural 
Science have held the position there in about as many years, and 
now the post has been again filled by the re-instalment 
of Mr. Kirk, who resigned some twelve months ago. We 
Gernot know where the blame lies for: such an’ un- 
satisfactory state of things, but the matter is one which 
deserves the fullest consideration of the governing body. 
Until a settled appointment is made, no progress with 
scientific work will be made by the students, and one of the 
advantages which would accrue to the country from the posses- 
sion of such an institution, that, namely, of having scientific ex- 
periments in agriculture regularly conducted, will not be forth- 
coming. 
ee ee 
THE RABBIT PEST.—The occurrence of numerous cases of 
tuberculosis among rabbits in this and the neighbouring colonies, 
has led many persons to suggest the advisability of inoculating 
numbers of these animals and liberating them, so as to spread 
the disease as widely as possible. 
It is manifest, however, from all that has appeared in the 
papers on the subject, that very little is known as to the disease. 
Its true nature, its power of propagation, and even the causes 
which lead to its occurrence are almost unknown. At the same 
time, the probable danger of infecting our cattle and sheep with 
dangerous diseases intended only to destroy the rabbits is suff- 
ciently manifest to have early attracted attention, and has pro- 
bably prevented many from attempting rash experiments in the 
way of inoculation. 
From a commercial point of view, the question of destruction 
of the rabbits is one of the most serious importance, and it is one 
which deserves a large share of attention. Any scheme which 
promises to lead to a solution of the difficulty is worthy of con- 
sideration, and no expense should be spared in attempts to find 
some remedy for the pest. At the same time, the desultory in- 
vestigation of a few farmers and runholders, who occasionally 
send one or two diseased rabbits to the nearest doctor or vet. 
to have a fost mortem examination made, are not likely to pro- 
duce any effective results. The matter is one which should be 
scientifically investigated, and all interested in it—and who. is not, 
directly or indirectly, in this Colony—would benefit by such an 
investigation being made. 
In other countries, specialists have often been engaged at a 
very considerable first expense, to examine and report on the 
epidemic diseases of animals, in many cases with the most satis- 
factory results. We need only refer to the remarkable researches 
of Pasteur on pébrine and other allied diseases, and of Koch on 
