The Balance of Nature. 
[April, 
150 
with succulent stems and leaves. Scarcely less formidable 
is the rabbit, which, when thoroughly established in a region 
free from beasts and birds of prey, renders the introduction 
of agriculture almost impossible. To naturalists, at least, 
it is a subject of grave regret that a project has been brought 
forward for stocking uninhabited islands with goats and 
rabbits, under the pretext of thus providing a supply of food 
for shipwrecked sailors. The result of this scheme, if car- 
ried into execution, will he the destruction of much priceless 
evidence bearing on the distribution of animal and vegetable 
life, and hence indirectly on the great question of the origin 
of species. 
But worse still remains : the islands of New Zealand are 
suffering under a grievous plague of rabbits. It has been 
suggested by an “ energetic and indefatigable naturalist” 
to introduce, by way of a remedy, polecats ! Suppose this 
done, it is very probable indeed that much havoc may take 
place among the rabbits ; but is it not likely that the poultry 
of the colonists may receive certain unpleasant attentions, 
and that some of the few native birds will be exterminated ? 
Nor is the adtion of the animals imported by man the only 
agent of change. The aboriginal plants, contrary to the 
theory of their especial and exceptional adaptation to the 
soil and the climate, largely succumb to the species intro- 
duced by the settlers, many of which, unfortunately, are 
weeds of the most noxious character. Thus we see that the 
arrival of man in a previously unpeopled region completely 
disturbs its original “balance of Nature,” even if he never 
discharges a gun. But as, in addition to the havoc thus 
indirectly occasioned, birds good for food, or suspeCted — 
rightly or wrongly — of being injurious to crops, are diligently 
shot at, we need not wonder that the old equilibrium is 
speedily overturned. A different theory is therefore forced 
upon all candid thinkers. Whether they are believers in 
original and independent creation, or in evolution, they must 
equally admit that the old “ balance of Nature ” is merely 
provisional, suited to man’s absence, but incapable of being 
maintained in his presence. A new equilibrium has there- 
fore, if possible, to be established, where all species of 
animals and plants dangerous or hurtful to man’s person and 
possessions shall be exterminated, or at least very much re- 
duced in numbers, whilst those which are useful, beautiful, 
or otherwise agreeable to the lords of the creation, shall be 
protected and encouraged. That such a state of things 
would be theoretically desirable we shall all agree, but how 
is it to be realised in practice ? Too many farmers, 
