ACCLIMATISATION ERRORS.

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 86, 9 October 1915, Page 14

ACCLIMATISATION ERRORS.

Like the rabbit in Australia and the English sparrow in America, the muskrat, imported to Bohemia in 1905, has become a nuisance— even a dangerous pest. It was taken into Sohemia from the United States, and since its introduction on the estates of Prince • Colloredo-Monnsfeld % has distributed itself over the area within 100 miles of Dobrzisch, near Prague, . where it was first liberated. It has followed the course of the Elbe and Moldau rivers aud their tributaries, and it is reported that it lias even reached some of the tributaries of the Danube. Evil traite have developed of which it was apparently innocent in its native habitat. Streams in this region are controlled by dams and grassed banks, and fish culture in the ponds formed by the dams is a leading industry. The carp raised in these ponds form a very important part of the food supply of the country, but the muskrat undermines both the dams and banks so thai they cave in. allowing the water to escape and with it the fish. It is also stated that it works havoc among the river crabs and mussels, the former furnishing a large food supply and the latter the shell which supports important industries. Further, it catches fish, disturbs their feeding and spawning, and, when other food is insufficient, it cats growing grain and vegetnblua »nd destroys the spga of both wild mi. d&assliss isssi ' •