REPORT OF THE ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1244, 2 June 1864, Page 3

REPORT OF THE ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of-the Council of this society was held tliifj day in the proposed General Assembly Chambers, near the Government Buildings. There was a full meeting, all the members of the Council being present except ten. The ex-President being moved to the chair, said—The business of the Council was to read and consider a draft report for presentation to the society prior to publication. As this was the first report, no attempt would be made to enter into details of the results of. operations about to be undertaken: but there was matter worthy of careful consideration in the work of acclimatization which had been going on from the foundation of the colony, and which had now arrived at more or less perfection, tie called upon the Secretary to read the draft report, which was as follows:— ~ . . KEPOHT. Your Committee have much pleasure in presenting their first report upon the acclimatization in this colony of useful specimens of the animal and vegetable kingdoms common in Great Britain or elsewliere. The measure of success which has attended the operations of the society may be deduced from the copious list which your Committee are able to present of birds, beasts, and fishes, as well as vegetables, already introduced and likely to be naturalized in this new country. Aud although your Committee cannot take upon them to assert that speci r mens of ail the varieties enumerated have been introduced by their means and at the expense of the society, they nevertheless are of opinion that, had the Acclimatization Society been constituted as it now exists in the earlier years of the settlement of Canterbury, the introduction of the valuable specimens enumerated would have proceeded with nearly equal rapidity and success; a fact which alone is sufficient to demonstrate the value of their labours. To proceed more minutely into detail, your committee would beg leave to place a few of the leading facts in a striking light, for which purpose they have compiled the following calculations. In the year 1840 there was one sheep in the province ui oaiucitttrry- in the year 1860 there were upwards of half a minimi. j-ium a most ordinary calculation that, in the year 1880, after the constitution of this society, there will be not less than 250,000,000,000 sheep in the province. One bushel of gorse seed applied upon a ditch and bank beyond Eiccarton in the year 1854 has now grown to a hedge 25 chains long by three feet in average width. By the calculations of your com-

mittee it seems probable that the establishment of this society will result in the acclimatization of gorse over 3,245,924 acres of this province before the 31st December, 18G8. This fact points further to the facilities offered here to the production of feed for sheep by a crushing process, in case of failure of the grass crops. About the year 1770 the great navigator, Captain Cook, placed a few swine upon the island, which have increased to above 6000 upon a single run in this province. Of this your committee have satisfactory proof. It does not appear that the runs in general are yet fully stocked; and they do, not believe that they overstate the capacity of the country by assuming that ample room exists for upwards of two millions of the pig tribe; without taking into calculation the mountain summits, where there is an abundance of scope for testing theories of acclimatization. Your committee point to this fact with a practical suggestion that much may be thus done to provide sustenance for a digging population should gold ultimately be found in this elevated region. Of the Norway rat there are 32,464,798 adult specimens. And of the common flea, three varieties possess among them 269,999,999, of all ages and sexes. And neither the rat nor the flea, it may be said, were represented by a single speciinen prior to the year 1840. This argues well for the future utility of the Society. And abundance of proof might be given, if such' were required, by the production of further facts of a similar character.

Taking into consideration the genera already mentioned as introduced, and those which are more accurately described in the following list, it is a cause of surprise, not that something is already done, but that anything yet remains to do.

With these few words, your committee proceed to enumerate the principal animals and vegetables, to acclimatize which efforts have been already made; for the sake of uniformity they will take them in their natural order, alphabetically, following the scientific nomenclature, as near as they can hit it. Abstmentia totalis.—This plant, the teetotalism of England, has not rewarded the laborious attempts to acclimatise it. When sheltered by brick walls and warm beds, specimens have been known to thrive, but the treatment is here found inapplicable. The sharp and nipping air in the neighbourhood of the towns has aii especially unfavourable effect upon the green and juicy offshoots, and your committee do not recommend the further prosecution of endeavours for its introduction. Suctio moderata is akin, but of a much hardier growth and more generally acceptable. Of the bush variety there are numerous specimens. Columba deprnnata. —Canterbury has been supplied with some specimens of the Plucked Pigeon, chiefly from the counties of Oxford and Cambridge, in England. They are of an ornamental rather than of a useful character, and not being endowed with any natural means of defence, arc found gradually to die out. They are allied to the indigenous Companior or Loafer. Cin'rentia pecuniaris.—Tho common Money of the British Isles. This is a valuable addition to the st<Hik of plants' of the country, and has been introiluml with much success, and in considerable quantities, especially of late. It is cultivated generally underground. Its chief nursery has been beneath the banks in Cashel and Hereford-streets, where your committee are anxious to collect as many specimens 11s possible. The single plants are'commonly called current coin ; but. in groups and clusters, it goes by the name of British Capital. A fine specimen of the clustering variety, apparently of Scotch origin, has lately taken spontaneous root in the South of the Province, and has been transferred successfully to the Government reserve, The great value of this plant is its paper making qualities ; in the manufacture of which a little is found to go a long way. It propagates readily, but generally polishes without careful treatment.

Currentia impecuniaris. The Running Account. This plant forms an admirable substitute in the absence of the foregoing. It may almost be called indigenous; but yonr committee are aware that many specimens have been brought all the way from England without loss at this end. Its progress has been most rapid, specimens being found everywhere in great abundance. Ebrius vulgaris—The Common Sot.—This beast, and the E. Incorriqibilis with several other varieties

urc cos))',,i :i ! -;i " !<!i"U'ri to the euvjitors of tlic [ii'ih r in Kii'/i,;ii-i i.y Hie generic name of* Nightcase.' Tile priiicip:'l nuined varieties are tlie E. Ginitis, v.!.u>;;e iuibiiat is the London district; the Bcurcnx, found throughout Knglaud ; the Whiskifrotilw, a mitivi! of fri''land and Scotland; iind the Jlnmeiis. in marine neighbourhoods. The different specimens are easily imported, but are found gradually to merure into a local variety, to which the name of Nobbkrensis has been given. It is expensive to rear, but of some value to the State. One head has been known to produce a revenue of no less than ten pounds in a single year; and besides, if properly looked after, will yield from ss. to £[ from time to time, by pressure, after confinement for a few hours in an enclosed space.

Liyamentum rubrum—the common lied Tape of England—has been introduced in small quantities into the province, and is found to thrive with moderate vigour in such sheltered spots as the Government Offices in Christchurch, and the Custom-house in Lyttelton. It is semi-parasitic, and attaches itself easily to old walls, or dry trunks, such as the Officialis expers, on the old leaves of which it fastens tenaciously. Maledica.r malevolent—The common Scandalmonger. The committee are unable to omit this noxious insect in their classification, though they do not consider it prudent to encourage the importation of further specimens. It has probably been introduced :is a parasite on the Porcus loqnax (see below) or on the Typoyraphia, upon which it is most offensive. The female is known to be very productive. . Matrona Britannica — Materfamilias of the " Times:" The common British Housewife. , Several fine specimens of this useful animal have been introduced with marked success, and are now quite at home. Its habits are, however, found to be modified by local conditions, among which are to be numbered various predatory and destructive animals such as the Ancillct omnilaboram—Domestic or Common Scrub. Of this latter some hundred specimens have been imported, but the genus seems incapable of preservation. Some few splendid and healthy specimens of the Matrona Britannica in the second generation are known to exist, and are distinguishable chiefly by the inci eased fineness of the coat. Mendax (jarrulus—The Liar-bird. A few have been brought over from Australia. The note is sweet at first, but noisy and monotonous; the copious and almost incessant utterances being soon wearisome, and disappointing at last. Stripped of its plumage, the bird is worthless. Odium iheohyicum.—Attempts have been made to acclimatize this plant, so famous for its bitterness, but not with much success. It requires an old and' well-worked soil, under which conditions it throws ; down a strong and deep root. A'weak plant, but possessing the true characteristics of the genus, has been lately reared in this country, under the shelter of a Board specially constructed for the purpose of conducting experiments in the various systems of training. Ovis Niger.—The Black Sheep has been introduced

among other varieties of this well-known animal. They are generally the young of English specimens, and have been selected for this country in consequence of their tendency to gamboling on the turf. Very little fleece is usually left on arrival, and they are exceedingly fond of plants of an offensive character, in consequence of which the breed is not in good favour. The variety called cadet has been referred by local savans to the amphibia, as it can't live in England and dies in the colony. It is, however, harmless enough. Porcus major, the Great Bore.—Only, one specimen exists in this province, for which thanks are due to Mr. Sefton Moorhouse, who at great trouble and expense introduced an excellent specimen from England; and on its loss, from unexplained causes, brought over another from Australia, which is now in excellent condition. Air. Moorhouse provided Holmes very satisfactorily for the bore, which he located in Lyttelton and the Heathcote Valley, and your committee have much pleasure in reporting 1 that it goes on favourably. The animal has not yet attained its full size, being of slow growth, but its progress is very satisfactory. There is not likely to be any other specimen introduced, but at the same time your committee do not fear that the Porcus Major will disappear from the country. Porcus loquax, the Common Bore.—This beast is to be found in great variety, and in almost every instance can be traced to British or Australian origin. There is an indigenous variety, the P. Mikoueri or native Preacher, but it is rare in this province. Of imported varieties the principal are the P. politico lis, specimens of which can be seen occasionally in the Government buildings; the P. municipals, allied to the P. minor, and like it with a habit of spouting; the P. scienlificus, which haunts Institutes; the P. equinus and ovinus, scarcely distitigmshahlebui/T'ery numerous, and" to lie found in tlie bush. Among domestic varieties, there are the P. prosaicus, aud P. Salivans or Driveller. Specimens of most of the varieties named are possessed by your committee, who will exhibit at the next general meeting of the society. Porcus minor, the Artesian or Small Bore.—This is a late introduction, but has taken its place rapidly and it is hoped permanently. The habitat is underground, whence it ejects continuous streams of water. The thanks of the society are due to John Ollivier, Esq., for this introduction. SqualusTerrestris. The Land-shark.—This is not so common here as elsewhere; but specimens have from time to time been introduced either intentionally or by accident, and generally from the neighbouring colonies. There appears to be a deficiency in the class of .prey of which this shark is most fond, or else the state of the land is not suitable. The variety called S. forensis is the most dreaded. Some that have appeared in the province

have been observed to be attacked with bleeding under the lower fin, from the effects of which it is probable that they do not easily recover. It is said also that some of the species have given up their predatory habits, though still remaining in the place. Your committee are scarcely of this opinion; though it is probable that their habits may be modified, the distinguishing character of voracity is certain to remain income shape.

Typographic/. It is satisfactory to know that several specimens of this useful plant are cultivated with success. Those introduced into the province do not appear to belong either to the variety vulgaris or scurrilis; but rather to the vtilis or intelligens. The first specimen was imported from England by the very earliest settlers, and has flourished since that time without any drawback. A second is partly of Australian growth, and of several years later origin. A third is of somewhat late appearance, and is remarkable for the diversity of its foliage and the acerbity of its juice. The remaining one is scarcely so far advanced as to produce confidence in its permanence: but it seems to be in a flourishing state,

though some observers are of opinion that the growth is fungoid in character. Your committee might enumerate a great variety of specimens of natural history, particularly among the insecta reptilia and crustacea, which have been introduced and are to be found more or less plentifully in this Province. But as few of these are of a kind to induce or repay the action of the Society in pursuing their culture and development, your committee refrain from describing them, and they present this, their first monthly report, in the belief that its matter-of-fact character will inspire public confidence in the exertions of the Society.

The Chairman said the thanks of the Society were due to the Secretary for his labour in reading the report. lie thought, however, that it was somewhat wanting in precision, and. perhaps also defecthe in classification. He did not doubt, however, that the public would receive just as much information 111 either way. He might be allowed to observe 011 the absence of some species whiph were tolerably well known. In plants, for instance, there was the Ingeniosa, or Sell, a fine example of winch had been discovered lately at the Pelorus, and seemed to thrive near gold-fields. He believed it was of Australian origin. A plant oijeweilaria had been found by the police in Lyttelton not long before. There was also a rush, sometimes growing of enormous size in auriferous localities, of a similar origin. He might advert also to fish, very few of which were enumerated by his learned friend, lie could notdescribe any particular specimen, hut he believed some of the Innolvantia specius were of a lis by character, showing marked symptoms of scaliness. Perhaps some other gentlemen had more personal knowledge of the species ; but for his part he thought that the specimens he alluded to were not indigenous but had been imported, probably from Australia. A lengthened and interesting discussion arose upon this point, several gentlemen denying the imputed origin of the specimens alluded to. Mr. Squyfax believed that the varieties of plant and fishy specimens described by the chairman, as well as the Landsluirk mentioned in the draft report were peculiar to new countries; and he hesitated to say that they had been introduced from Australia. As in vegetation, the destruction of the virgin forest, by accident or otherwise, was followed generally by an altogether different and so to sneak bastard growth, so it was possible that the plants and fishes in question were of spontaneous growth, or springing from recondite germindn, upon the first opening up of a new country. If the society did not think this explanation satisfactory, but preferred the theory of introduction, he would observe that the origin must be traced not to Australia, but rather to America,

where simihir specimens were to be found of much earlier growth.

Some further conversation ensued, after which the report was adopted, and the meeting adjourned till the '/It'll Feb. next.