Page:Acclimatisation; its eminent adaptation to Australia.djvu/6

4 A few weeks since a meeting was held in this city, and a provisional committee appointed to prepare and bring this important subject before the public at a general meeting; and when that time arrives I hope it will meet with the success it deserves. Already the provisional committee have had a very liberal offer from Mr. Holt, of Newtown, of his valuable grounds (under certain conditions), situated at Cook's River, consisting of about 120 acres, enclosed by a wall six feet in height, and with all the buildings and improvements upon it, at a mere nominal rental of five shillings annually. The grounds combine shelter, pasturage, water, and all the capabilities requisite for the purposes of acclimatisation; and Mr. Holt has already expended, and is still expending, large sums upon this property, the whole of which he places at the disposal of the society. Such a liberal offer is rarely to be met with from a private individual, and will, no doubt, be highly appreciated by the public, for whose benefit it is intended.

In 1854, a society for the purpose of acclimatisation was established in Paris, and its influence was soon felt; for in 1855 a report was made, from which it appeared there had arisen, in other parts of France, a desire of forming similar institutions, which were to be affiliated to the parent stem. In 1858, by the concurrence of the Imperial Government, and of the municipality of the city of Paris, a large extent of ground was placed at the disposal of the society, was in progress of arrangement during my visits to Paris in 1850 and 1800, and has since been completed and opened to the public.

On the first establishment of the Zoological Society of London, its objects were those of the present acclimatisation societies, and was never intended by its founders as merely a menagerie of wild animals. It was instituted in 1826, under the auspices of Sir Humphrey Davy and Sir Stamford Raffles, and other eminent men, of for the advancement of zoology, and the introduction, exhibition, and acclimatisation of subjects of the animal kingdom and besides the gardens in the Regent's Park, they had a farm at Kingston, which, either from the expense or some mismanagement, was given up. On the farm being abandoned, with the exception of the introduction' of the Sandwich Island goose; the ashy-headed goose, from the Falkland Islands; the Cereopsis, or Cape Barren goose, from Australia; and a few other minor species of birds_nothing was done until 1852 or 1853,when the acclimatisation of the eland (now considered accomplished) may be said to have com-