8 
advanced to thirty-seven. This number will, with the early commencing lambing season, 
likely be augmented to fifty, and moreover, the future ofFsirriug will show the desired im- 
provement of breed effected by the supply of a pure male alpaca for the llama flock. Two 
other highly valuable alpacas, most generously granted by the Government of New South 
Wales, have been irlaced with our flock. A proposition of Charles Ledger, Es(j., to secure, 
whilst revisiting South America, vicimas and pure female alpacas for this establishment, 
has received the recommendation of the committee and the favorable consideration of the 
Government. Samples of angora, llama, and alpaca wool, obtained from the .auimals of 
this garden, were forwarded for examination to Mr. Beazley, of London. 
Out of the sum of £500, sanctioned by Parliament for the introduction of useful 
animals, .fSoO have been devoted by the committee for obtaining Cashmere goats and 
Chinese sheep. Messrs. Grice, Sumner and Co. have kindly consented to secure the 
importation of the former, and W. LyaU, Esq., M.L.A., to arrange for the introduction of 
the Chinese sheep. Intimation has been received from the Honorable K. Eawson, Colonial 
Secretary at Capetown, that an officer of the Government at Natal has been entrusted -with 
the selection of the South African game, which the committee is anxious to acclimatize 
in this countiy. For the transmission of these (piadrupeds a remittance has been made. 
An ostrich, shipped for us from Capetown by Mr. Layard, died on the voyage. An apph- 
cation has been submitted to the Government of the United States to aid in the introduc- 
tion of the North American beaver, judiciously pointed out as de.sirable by Dr. Embling. 
Gold pheasants, emussows, ortolans, and many varieties of waterfowl kindly selected 
for this garden by Edward Wilson, Esq., are on their way to tlu.s e.stablishment;* and, 
according to a notification from the burgomaster of Cologne, the administrators of the 
zoological garden of that city have arranged to furnish in reciprocation for some black 
swans and for some contributions yet to be forwarded, select varieties of fowls, doves, water 
birds, and some hares and remarkable kind of rabbits. 
A biick reservoir, siqrplied ■with I’iver water by a small mill, has been constructed 
for the temporary reception of .such foreign fish as may from time to time be introduced 
into the colony. At present it contains only eighteen tenches, a few dace and minnows, 
forwarded by Mr. Wilson. By the Lincolmhire, which brought these fish, three species of 
Yaira fish were returned to the Zoological Society of London ; and as the O'wners of this 
ship have permitted the erection of a pei-iuauent tank for further transmission, we will be 
able to forward the cod and other superior MuiTay fish at a future occasion. 
Two attempts to introduce the guaramier from Mauritras to Victorian ponds, a 
plan initiated also through Mr. Wilson, have failed, either in consequence of an insufficient 
supply of good water, or on account of the coldness of the temperature through which 
during the winter season these fish had to pass on their way. It Is, however, probable 
that the renewed attempt of Captain IlusseU, who, as well as the authorities at Mauritius, 
deserves the highest praise for the ready response to om- request in aiding this enterprise, 
vill be attended, with success, improvements in the means of transmission having suggested 
themselves, and the season now being favorable for the purpose. 
Whether we appreciate the vast practical benefit which rvould accrue 'to this 
country by transferring the salmon to Victoria, or dwell on the likehhood of our alpine 
streams being well suited for their propagation, it is evident that one of the most important 
abors next devolving on the Zoological Committee will consist in reiterating the trial of 
bringing salmon ova to this part of the globe. 
^ Besting on valuable experience gained by Mr. Alexander Black, the conductor of 
t le ist experiment instituted by Messrs. Wilson and Voul, under the aid of many other 
put einen in London, it is almost certain that in a fcivorable voyage the salmon eggs, 
irrigated on artificial gravel-beds, may safely reach our shores, provided that a sufficiency 
0 ice is available throughout the voyage for maintaining a constant supply of fresh, cold 
0fP.Lacy,'EJi““8tXsf^ge9p^^^^^^^^ Wales, undet thexareful superintendence 
