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THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



Although the Gardens at this season of the year do not pre- 

 sent such numerous inducements to strangers, as in spring 

 or summer, when the ride or walk, and the choice collection 

 of plants and flowers with which they are ornamented, are 

 of themselves sufficient to gratify the visitor, yet some of the 

 animals are now to be seen to great advantage, and many 

 persons have availed themselves of the mild and dry weather 

 during the past month to pay them a visit. 



Some valuable donations have been added to the collection 

 at the Regent's Park ; including a pair of chetahs from 

 India, presented by Lord Clare ; a South American ostrich, 

 from the President, Lord Stanley ; and a number of golden 

 pheasants from J. Fuller, Esq. 



Workmen are now engaged in inclosing and fencing a part 

 of the land lately added to these gardens on the east side, and 

 we understand a bank is to be formed and planted for the 

 purpose of sheltering the grounds, as much as possible, from 

 the east wind. From the Report read at the last monthly 

 meeting, it would appear that the Council do not contem- 

 plate the erection of any buildings on the newly inclosed 

 land at present, but intend forming two large ponds or re- 

 servoirs, one of which is to be appropriated to the use of 

 those beautiful birds the mandarin ducks ; and the other 

 for the rest of the aquatic birds. 



The members of this Society held their first scientific 

 meeting on the evening of the 8th of January. It is in- 

 tended to continue these meetings at intervals of a fortnight, 

 and to publish occasionally the papers read, and other sci- 

 entific information obtained, in the shape of Transactions, 

 similar to those of other Societies. At the first meeting, 

 papers were read and observations made by Mr. Bennett, 

 the intelligent Vice- Secretary of the Society, Mr. Yarrell, 

 Dr. Grant, and others. We shall probably in future give a 

 short account of the proceedings of these meetings, which, 

 we trust, will be acceptable to many of our readers. 



Dr. Grant has commenced a course of lectures to the 

 members on Zoology, which, as far as they have proceeded, 

 have been well attended, and have given great satisfaction. 



We hear favourable accounts of the Surrey Gardens, and 

 that some valuable additions are likely to be made in the 

 course of the spring. We must, however, candidly admit 

 that we have not visited these gardens during the past 

 month, and can therefore only promise to furnish all the 

 information we can procure against our next Number. 



