Downing Street,
7th August, 1863.

SIR,—With reference to my Circular Despatch of the 29th July, 1861, I transmit to you herewith a series of enquiries which I have received from the Acclimatisation Society, and which at their request, I communicate to you with the hope that you will return such answers as you may be able to give on the various points of enquiry submitted so far as relates to the Colony under your Government.

I transmit at the same time, at the request of the Society, a copy of their Third Annual Report, together with a copy of the First Annual Report of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria.

I have, &c.,
NEWCASTLE.

Governor Sir George Grey,
K.C.B., &c., &c., &c.,

ACCLIMATISATION.

Enquiries addressed to Her Majesty’s Minister, Governor, or Consul at.

The Gentlemen to whom these questions are addressed, are earnestly requested to consider the high importance which will be attached to the answers which they may return, and the service which they will render to the cause of Acclimatisation by endeavouring to the utmost of their knowledge to make those answers as full and otherwise as satisfactory as possible.

The main purposes of Acclimatisation are to introduce, acclimatise, and propagate in the United Kingdom and its Dependencies such Animals, Birds, Fishes, Insects, and Vegetables as are likely to be of use or ornament, whether for domestication or for varying the common food of the people, or for manufacturing, or for any other useful purpose; and whose constitution and habits offer a reasonable prospect of successful cultivation. It is obvious that in India, Australia, Canada, the Cape, and other important Dependencies, unlimited scope is afforded for almost any variety of experiment.

It is confidently expected that the answers returned to these questions by Her Majesty’s Ministers, Governors, and Consuls in different parts of the world, will bring together a mass of information on this interesting and highly important branch of knowledge such as never has been collected before, and the benefit which these Gentlemen will thus confer upon their fellow-countrymen will be in proportion to the fullness and exactness with which those answers are drawn up.

In replying to questions 1, 2, 3, and 8, it is particularly requested that those special qualities which recommend the Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, and Vegetables as fit for food or domestic utility may be described. As regards Quadrupeds, Birds, and Fishes, it will be very desirable to collect all the information which can be got as to the best modes of feeding, keeping, and rearing the same, and, as regards Vegetables, any information as to the best mode of cultivation.

A copy of the last Annual Report of the Acclimatisation Society of Great Britain accompanies this, and will serve to explain more completely the action and purposes of the Society.

1. Question:—Is there any Quadruped, indigenous or introduced to the Country in which you reside, which (having regard to the above definition of the objects in view) merits attention with a view to acclimatisation in Great Britain or any of its Dependencies? If there be any such, state whether it is attainable at a reasonable rate, and whether it is likely to bear the risk of transport?
   Answer:—

2. Question:—Is there any such Bird?
   Answer:—

3. Question:—Is there any such Fish?
   Answer:—

4. Question:—Is there any such Insect?
   Answer:—

5. Question:—Is there any such Timber Tree?
   Answer:—

6. Question:—Is there any such Medicinal Plant?
   Answer:—

7. Question:—Is there any Fibrous Plant likely to be useful for manufacturing purposes?
   Answer:—

8. Question:—Is there any Vegetable suitable for the food of man, or for forage or for any other useful purpose?
   Answer:—

9. Question:—Do you know any Quadruped, Bird, Fish, Insect, Tree, or Plant, existing elsewhere, the introduction of which to the Country in which you reside would be likely to be beneficial; one of the objects of the Acclimatisation Society being to reciprocate the benefits which it receives from other countries?
   Answer:—

10. Question:—Does any organization exist, or could it be easily called into existence, capable of undertaking the task of introduction?
    Answer:—

Any Remarks founded upon special knowledge or local information, capable of being made useful to the progress of Acclimatisation will be desirable.