142 The Irish Naturalist, July, 



Beneath this was a stratum of clay, in which remains of bears were pre- 

 sent all through the cave. The large collection, now awaiting deter- 

 mination in the Science and Art Museum, also comprises the remains of 

 several other wild animals, and particular attention has been paid to the 

 preservation of the very smallest bones. 



The Dublin Zoological Gardens. 



The Gardens have never looked to better advantage than at present, and 

 they contain a remarkably interesting stock of animals. It was recently 

 announced in the papers that the King had been pleased to present some 

 of his famous Indian Wild Boars to the Dublin Gardens, but it is, perhaps, 

 not generally known that these fine examples of the pig tribe were 

 captured with great difficulty in Windsor Park, before being placed in 

 cages to be transported to Ireland. 



The Society has been particularly fortunate lately in the lion-breeding 

 industry, which is now known to be more successfully carried on in the 

 Dublin Gardens than anywhere else in the world. Three young lions 

 were born during June, and there can now be seen a whole series of baby 

 lions in all stages of growth. The new Lion House, which is being 

 erected, is now above ground, and will give visitors a good idea of the 

 fine quarters which the rising generation of Dublin lions will possess. 



However, the young lions are not the only new arrivals. One of the most 

 remarkable and noteworthy events which has happened in the Gardens 

 for a great many years is the birth of a young lemur. The animals are 

 great favourites with visitors for, while active and indulging in amusing 

 gambols, they never show any bad temper, so frequently manifested by 

 their more advanced relatives the monkeys. Though the latter rise 

 above the lemurs in brain-power, they fall below them in conduct. The 

 birth in captivity of either monkey or lemur is an unusual event, for few 

 Zoological Gardens can boast of having reared a young of either of these 

 groups. 



A couple of Chimpanzees have lately been purchased. Although still 

 young, one of them, the female, is already a fine tall creature, and both 

 are in magnificent health. Those who still treasure the memories of the 

 departed Sindbad, the Orang-Utau, and of Johnnie and Tom, the Chim- 

 panzees, have long looked in vain for their successors. We are glad 

 they have now arrived, and we hope that they will live here even longer 

 than Tom, who spent nearly five years of his existence in Phcenix Park. 

 One more new arrival has still to be mentioned, viz. ; — the Sea-lion. 

 The docility with which the Sea-lion obeys the commands of its keeper 

 and the certainty with which it catches the fish thrown to it are daily 

 witnessed by large crowds. 



Professor D. J. Cunningham. 



The learned Secretary of the Zoological Society, Professor D. J. 

 Cunningham, F.R.S., has received the honorary degree of LJv.D. from 

 Glasgow University. We heartily congratulate him on this well-deserved 

 honour. 



