40
We must bear in mind that acclimatisation is a slow and somewhat tedious process. Sheep have been reared from the wild state for thousands of years, have added untold wealth and comfort to the multitude, yet it has not attained the perfection that may be expected when an increased care and culture shall be bestowed upon it. We must consider also the contingencies that are so liable to happen when a new animal is introduced, and the stock limited in number, constituting one of the greatest obstacles in first attempts at acclimatisation. A great collection was accumulated at Knowsley by the late Earl of Derby, and it took twenty-five years to bring it to a useful state; and then, when by great perseverance and expense the breeding stock of llamas, alpacas, zebras, deer, and antelopes of many species, had been got to a point which in five years more would have made large and permanent results possible, the Earl died. The fiat of dispersion was pronounced, and the whole work crumbled away. This will be a sufficient lesson of the uncertainty of private collections, and the necessity of founding societies based on a general and public interest.
The Australian public must bear in mind that in the year 1807 the importation of wool from Australia into England was 245 bales; in the year 1848, by the exertions of the Macarthurs and others, there were 23,000,000 lbs. At the present time only a few bales of cotton are imported into England; but I expect, before ten years have elapsed, it will have increased to some thousands.
I trust that what I have stated will lead you to reflect on the importance of acclimatisation, especially when, out of thousands of animals the world furnishes to man, we limit our attention to about forty-three; and I am also desirous of impressing upon the minds of all the necessity of preserving from wilful destruction the birds and other innocuous animals of this country. The great Creator "gave man dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth," for his use, benefit, and study; not to lay waste and destroy for mere wantonness.
WM. GOODHUGH AND CO., PRINTERS, FLINDERS LANE EAST.
