From neolithic times attempts have been made to bring exotic species of animals over to Britain, with the idea that they could be acclimatised. This book traces the history of the Acclimatisation Society of the United Kingdom, and its sister societies in other countries. These societies had a variety of aims: for example, the enrichment of food supplies, the stocking of country parks, and the provision of game-birds for sporting purposes. The author describes the formation, history and work of these societies.