menced. The next successful effort was the introduction of 
certain species of Himalayan pheasants in 1857, which have 
succeeded very well. 
On the establishment of a society in this colony, attention 
should not only be directed to the introduction of living animals 
and plants foreign to the soil, but also to adopt efficient and 
energetic means for the preservation, domestication, and rearing 
those indigenous to the colony. By a combination of these 
efforts the resources of the colony will be increased, the field of 
commerce enlarged, employing labour with profit, adding to our 
alimentary resources, and forming a combination of the useful 
and ornamental; and, by the addition of the acclimatised races 
to our indigenous stock, increase our material for food, and also 
our economical products. 
A society of this description is not formed for the use of men 
of science. It may, and no doubt will require their direction 
and assistance, but it demands the aid of all classes of people, 
and the good resulting from it will be for the benefit of every one. 
It ought to be formed of landholders, squatters, agriculturists, 
breeders of stock, as well as the public generally. When carried 
out successfully, it will impart life and beauty to our plains and 
forests, where at present animals are scarce, and it will fill our 
lakes and rivers with beautiful objects of nature. 
While we have been establishing our botanical gardens arid 
adding to our valuable timber, fruit, and flowering trees (useful 
both for food and manufactures), we have failed in directing our 
attention to the animal kingdom until by the establishment of 
zoological gardens in the principal cities of Europe the foun¬ 
dation of the acclimatisation societies was laid. 
To be successful in the art of acclimatisation, it will bo neces¬ 
sary to study with great observation and accuracy the habits and 
economy of animals, as numerous failures in the introduction ol 
living specimens, both in this colony and in Europe, have resulted 
from a want of proper attention to it. 
Mr. Ledger, to whom we are indebted for the introduction of 
those valuable animals the alpacas, devoted a number of years to 
the study of their habits before he could successfully introduce 
them into this colony, aiul we find the mistakes made in the 
rearing and acclimatisation of animals in this and other countries 
have been the ideas many persons entertained, that they have 
only to raise a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing and 
introducing valuable animals, without acquiring any previous 
knowledge of their habits or peculiarities, either with regard to 
