58 The Irish Naturalist. May, 



Duerden, Middleburgh, South Africa ; Mr. T. A. Finch, West African 

 Service ; and Mr. R. H. Elhs, I.C.S., East Hill, Calicut, India, have been 

 elected Corresponding Members of the Society. 149 Annual Members, 

 35 Life Members, and 18 Garden Subscribers were elected in 1921. The 

 total is the la.rgest in the history of the Society. 



In accordance with the " Laws and Regulations of the Society," Sir 

 Frederick Moore, who has been President since January, 19 17, resigns 

 office to-day. It is a source of deep regret to the Council that his term 

 of presidency has expired. The years during which Sir Frederick Moore 

 has directed affairs have been the most trying and difficult in our history ; 

 and the Society has every reason to be thankful that in the time of need 

 it had the guidance of a man possessed of so much tact, resource, and 

 ability. His interest in the Gardens and his devotion to their welfare 

 are unbounded ; and only those who, like the members of Council, have 

 had the privilege of working with him day by day are in a position to 

 appreciate fully the magnitude of what he has accomplished. In all his 

 work for the Society Sir Frederick Moore has had the generous help of 

 Lady Moore, to whom also the Society owes a deep debt of gratitude. 



For the vacant presidency the Council has pleasure in proposing the 

 name of Sir Robert H. Woods, who has been for many years an active 

 member of Council, The Council feels that in him the Society will have a 

 worthy President, and that the guidance of its affairs will be in safe hands. 



As for many years past, post-mortem reports have been received by 

 the Council on the animals which have died in the Gardens, These reports 

 are of much interest and most useful in guiding the action of the Council 

 in its efforts to secure proper food and suitable conditions for the animals 

 in its charge. The thanks of the Society are due to Principal James 

 Craig for the care and trouble he has taken in preparing these reports. 

 Thanks are also due to Professor J. Alfred Scott, who has kindly taken 

 the place of the Hon. Secretary in his occasional unavoidable absence 

 from the Council meetings. 



During the year the Dublin newspapers have most kindly helped the 

 Society by printing reports of meetings and many interesting notices of 

 new animals at the Gardens. 



By far the most important improvement made in 192 1 was the recon- 

 struction of the Bear Dens. This work was rendered possible by the 

 success of the Fete held in July, 1920. The new enclosure has been 

 erected on the site of the old one, and the plans for it were kindl}^ drawn 

 up by Mr. Arthur Bretland, who has taken every care to provide for the 

 comfort of the bears. The structural work was done by Messrs. Kennan 

 and Sons, and the whole has been carried out in a most satisfactory 

 manner. The total cost reached ;^972 13s., and this large and necessary 

 expenditure prevented the Council undertaking much other work. The 

 cages on the west side of the Haughton House have been roofed with 

 glass, and by this means have been rendered dry and comfortable. 



The annual census made on December 31st, 1921, shows that at 

 that date there were 131 Mammals, 322 Birds, 11 Reptiles, and 48 Fish 

 in the collection. 



