30 
vegetables from one part of the world to another, no matter whether 
' they were well or ill-adapted to the new climate or not—to naturalise, 
for example, polar bears in the tropics, or to induce humming birds 
to display their plumage in the Arctic regions. If such an impres¬ 
sion as that were finally removed, he had little doubt that the asso¬ 
ciation would be still more wamdy supported than had hitherto been 
the case. Perhaps at a larger meeting, and in a more public place, 
lie might have entered more fully into that matter, and have read a 
paper which had lately reached him from the “ Acclimatisation 
Society of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies and in which 
the main objects of such associations were defined as being the intro¬ 
duction of such animals, birds, insects, and fish, as were likely to be 
useful for food, and for manufacturing and other purposes. And 
taking that definition as a basis, ho was justified in the remark that 
a considerable degree of success had attended the efforts of the 
council of the association; for without going minutely into last year’s 
report, or that, to be presented to the meeting, it appeared that some 
seven or eight animals had been introduced whose presence in the 
colony was calculated to increase the number and value of their 
exports hereafter. There had also been some fifty different kinds of 
animals birds, and fishes brought here, all well adapted for the food 
of man, and some of which would constitute welcome additions to 
the luxuries of the table; besides about fifty other species whose 
presence would adorn their enclosures and artificial waters, or gratify 
the ear and eye by their sweetness of song and beauty of plumage, 
or who as old acquaintances would help to strengthen those feelings 
which were best known under the name of “ home associations,” 
and which were not indifferent to any portion of the people here. 
(Cheers.) Therefore the society might justly claim that a large 
measure of success had been already achieved, and he sincerely 
Imped that its efforts might be attended with still greater results in 
the future. Another reason why the society did not receive more 
support than it had done was that some dissatisfaction still existed 
as to the exhibition of animals in the Park ; and many people were 
of opinion that the association should partake more of the character 
of a zoological society; but one great reason why there were not 
more animals to be seen in the society’s grounds was that a number 
of the birds and animals had been removed to Phillip Island, in order 
that they might be safe from wild cats and other natural enemies, 
until they were able to take care of themselves when set at liberty; 
while another reason was that a great many, both of animals and 
birds, had already been liberated ; and it was not going too far to 
