Page:Acclimatisation; its eminent adaptation to Australia.djvu/19

17 has dispelled the idea; but they are rare in that part of the world, their place being supplied by antelopes. Deer may at all times be easily recognised by their deciduous horns.

The red deer, introduced some years since in this colony, throve very well, and I believe many roamed about in a wild state.

Among the genus cervus, or true stag, there is one recently introduced into the Zoological Gardens of London, and would be a magnificent animal to acclimatise in this colony. It is the noble Wapiti deer (cervus Canadensis), a native of the northern parts of America, and said to be the only true stag found in the New World. It has a wide range, extending from 57 deg. north downwards. They breed every year in the society’s menagerie. It is a noble animal, and attains the largest stature of the whole group; and some idea may be formed by the magnificent pair of antlers of one of these "monarchs of the forest" recently brought from Puget’s Sound, on the North American coast, and which I am enabled to exhibit to you through the kindness of Mr. Cuthbert, of Miller’s Point. Horns have been shed by these animals even when in confinement in the Zoological Gardens of London, weighing thirty-two pounds. Mr. Gatlin says he found at the foot of the Rocky Mountains a pair of shed antlers, which, when set upon their points, formed an archway, under which the tallest man in the party could walk without touching them.

The yak of Thibet, a beautiful species of the bovine tribe, would be a desirable animal to introduce. It is covered with long glossy hair, which extends over the whole body, unlike any of the tribe, and is used in various manufactures. It is found both in a wild and domesticated state, is used as a beast of burden, and is valuable from being sure-footed in passing over the rugged mountains of its native country. The long hair is manufactured into cloth for tents, which is strong and impervious to wet; the same material is also made into ropes, and is found to lie stronger than hemp. The tails are highly valued in the eastern courts for chowries or fly whisks. The cow yields a large quantity of milk, and so rich as to produce better butter than any of the bovine species in Asia. They pasture upon the mountains and in the deep glens of their native country, affording the natives warm clothing and wholesome food. The soft fur which is found covering the hump and shoulders is manufactured by the Thibetians into a fine hut strong cloth. I saw several of these animals in the Zoological Gardens of Paris; and a cross between it and a cow produces a hybrid, a beautiful animal, uniting the good qualities of both parents.