31 
The inauguration of the Acclimatisation Society on its present 
footing is comparatively recent, as less than three years have elapsed 
since it was amalgamated with, and undertook the duties of, the 
Zoological Committee. 
Since then, in consequence of the increasing number of animals, 
and the unhealthiness of the original site of the Zoological Gardens, 
an entirely new establislimeut has had to be formed at the Royal 
1’ark, involving a very heavy expenditure in fencing, planting, 
forming excavations for ponds, building superintendent’s house, 
shelter sheds, pens, Ac. 
The herd of camels brought from India at an expense of £120 per 
head had become scattered, and were in a fair way of being anni¬ 
hilated, under the various exploratory expeditions. Such of them 
as could be saved have been collected at Mr. Wilson’s station at the 
Wimmera, where they are now breeding regularly, and forming the 
nucleus of probably a large herd, available at some future day either 
for exploration or conveying the produce of remoter stations in the 
more arid districts. 
The alpaca has been a constant source of interest with the Society. 
Mr. Duffield has been constantly advised with and encouraged in his 
great experiment, and has stated that but for the co-operative spirit 
exhibited by the Society, he should have probably transferred his 
energies to some other country. Meantime, the little flock of llamas 
and hybrids imported from England have been diligently cared for, 
and their health and adaptation to the country watched. They have 
been crossed with pure alpacas, and young ones of the second cross 
are now being dropped. Since landing their numbers have increased 
from 19 to 66. 
The Angora goat is receiving great attention, and is likely to 
furnish a very valuable addition to the resources of our graziers, and 
of exports to our merchants. A considerable number of the best 
strain of blood has lately been presented by the Acclimatisation 
Society of Franee. Pure bred goats are now rapidly multiplying, 
and they are being crossed with the common goat in considerable 
numbers, four crosses being found to restore the original quality. 
Associated with the Society, an enterprising gentleman at Mary¬ 
borough has imported a flock of the Cashmere goat, with which he 
is now experimenting, affording au instance of the manner in which 
the Society is executing one of its principle functions, in inducing 
private enterprise to avail itself of the information and organization 
of the Society. 
Various breeds of sheep have been introduced, and are being 
experimented with, some of them showing signs of a peculiar adapt¬ 
ability to a hot climate. 
While devoting this amount of attention to such animals as the 
camel, the alpaca, the Angora goat, and the sheep, which may be 
considered as more immediately interesting to the mercantile and 
pastoral classes, the sportsman has not been forgotten. The fallow 
