29 
have been failures, I believe those who are most competent to judge, 
among the council of the Acclimatisation Society, are of opinion that 
those failures, so far from being such as to deter us from further 
attempts, are such as to show that it is quite possible to guard 
against accident if the experiment be persevered in. Even suppose 
we do not succeed finally in introducing the salmon from Europe, 
there are four or five species of salmon to be procured from California or 
British Columbia, one of which, at least, is said to be equal in delicacy 
of flavour and in other respects to the European fish. And if we fail 
here, we shall have a still further resource in the suggestion made 
by one of the most distinguished of Australian naturalists—Dr. 
Bennett — of introducing ova dry, packed in moss. (Hear, hear.) 
Then, again, there is another animal of very great importance—the 
alpaca_which reuuins to be introduced in numbers sufficient for 
commercial purposes. There is likewise the Cashmere goat, the hair 
of which would be an invaluable article of export, and which would 
flourish well among the higher plateaux of the Australian Alps. I 
repeat that there is plenty of work before us, if wo can but procure, 
the necessary funds from the liberality of the public and of Parlia¬ 
ment. I do not entertain the slightest doubt that this will be the 
case. Stimulated by the zeal and enterprize of Mr. Edward Wilson, 
this colony was the first to found an acclimatisation society. Its 
example has been followed by all the other colonies in the Australian 
group ; lectures have been delivered in several of them ; a general 
public interest has been excited in the subject, means of mutual co¬ 
operation between the various societies have been arranged ; and it 
really would be suicidal policy now, after all this organization has 
been effected, at so much cost of trouble and time, to let it fall to 
the ground without fully accomplishing all the objects we have in 
view—without having our wharves laden, not merely with wool- 
packs but with bales of fleeces of the alpaca, and the hair of the 
shawl goat—without having our rivers teeming with all sorts of fish, 
our forests abounding with every variety of game, and our tables 
groaning with all the delicacies which can be procured in the markets 
of London and Paris. (Applause.) 
After the reading of the Report (see page 5) by Mr. 1'. J. Sumner, 
His Excellency the Chairman called upon Professor M‘Coy to 
deliver his address. (See p. 33.) 
At the conclusion of which the Hon. T. T. A’Beckett, M.L.C., 
proposed the presentation of the thanks of the Society to Professor 
M‘Coy, for his able address ; and at the same time called the atten¬ 
tion of the Council to the fact that the English song-birds which had 
