112 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
a ee 
all connected with the personnel of the expedition, not only 
bon voyage, but a safe return. 
Exrermination or AnrmaL Lire.—In the November number 
of The Zoologist, Mr. W. L. Distant discusses under “ Biologi- 
cal Suggestions,’ the extermination of animal life by human 
agency. In the course of a most interesting paper, the 
distinguished naturalist refers to the work of destruction that 
has been going on in Australia for some time, and, as a matter 
of fact, is still going on. In some instances, of course, the 
_ destruction of native or introduced animals may be justifiable, 
but often, alas, it is both wanton and wicked. Carl 
Lumholtz tells us that at Peak Downs, Queensland, one of the 
sheep-owners had informed him that in the course of eighteen 
months he had killed no less than 64,000 marsupials, especially 
Wallabies—Macropus dorsalis, and Kangaroo-rats— Lagor- 
chestes consptcillatus, and also many thousands of the large 
Kangaroo—Macropus giganteus. “ What animal life,” asks 
the author, “can long withstand such wholesale massacres 
The discoveries of Tasman, Dampier, and Cook will result in 
the total extinction of more than one human race, and in the 
partial extermination of a singular land fauna belonging to a 
mighty island-continent. The Kangaroo will follow the 
Aborigine, and both in time become parts of a story to be told, 
an incident in the battle of human civilisation.” Dr. Ramsay, 
writing of the Cassowary (Casuarinus australis) in 1876, said it 
was tolerably plentiful only a few years before inthe neighbour- 
hood of Cardwell, but since the adyent of sugar planters on 
the Herbert River and adjacent creeks, these fine birds had 
been most ruthlessly shot down and destroyed, merely for the 
sake of their skins. Speaking of the Lyre bird, Mr. Aflalo 
says that two enterprising brothers employed a number of men 
to shoot the luckléss male birds, in which, after some practice, 
they were unfortunately so successful that five hundred dozen 
of the beautiful tails were reported to have reached Sydney in 
the course of a few weeks. The Government of New South 
Wales in 1891, according to Coghlan (Wealth and Progress) 
spent no less than £50,000 for the destruction of 871 Hmus, 
over 1,000,000 Marsupials, 65,000 Hares and Rabbits, 11,530 
Dingoes, and 3,502 Hagle Hawks. Think of it! In 1888 
upwards of 10,000 Emus were destroyed in one district alone, 
while in the same period no less than 1,500 of their eges were 
broken on one estate. 
Expepition To THE Kermupec Istanps —A small expedition 
to these islands was to have left New Zealand in December. 
It was to consist of five young enthusiastic men, who had 
arranged to spend twelve months on these uninhabited islands, 
collecting, observing, and photographing. It is hoped that 
the results of the expedition will be worked out by New 
Zealand naturalists. 
16-1-08 
