62 The hish Naturalist. March, 



The catering department of the Society's work has been carried on 

 during the year under the management of Miss Kinahan, and continues 

 to be a great success. Large parties had often to be catered for, and the 

 Council have reason to believe that the work has been carried out on 

 every occasion to the satisfaction of the many visitors who thronged the 

 Gardens in the summer months. 



No less than eight lion cubs were born, namely, live males and three 

 females, while Lord Cranworth presented a young male which he had 

 caught on the banks of the Tana River, in Kast Africa. "Jeremiah," or 

 "Jerry," as Lord Cranworth called him, was so tame that the Superin- 

 tendent could allow him to roam about freely in the Gardens. He never 

 interfered with the many waterfowl or other birds which are accustomed 

 to gather on the walks. It was only his natural playfulness which caused 

 him eventually to become a permanent inmate of the Lion house after 

 having been one of the most interesting attractions of the out-door life 

 in the Gardens. 



These additions to the collection made it necessary to part with some 

 of our old stock. One lion cub was exchanged, three others were shipped 

 to England, the lion Prince went to vScotland, while Remus and Ladj' 

 Lill}' also enriched the collections across the Channel. There are now 

 in the collection a total of ii lions and 9 lionesses, 14 of which are 

 Irish-born animals. 



As more funds were available, the purchases made during the year 

 were more numerous than those for some years past. The more recent 

 arrivals are a pair of fine Zebras, one of them belonging to the variety 

 called " Grant's Zebra," while the other is a " Burcheirs Zebra." A 

 female Ostrich was also bought, as well as a Sea Lion, a male Llama, a 

 Bennett Kangaroo, and a good many smaller mammals and birds. A 

 female Chimpanzee was obtained by exchange. The most important 

 gifts were a pair of young Ostriches from West Africa, sent b}' Dr. W. H, 

 Langley, and a pair of Rheas from South America, given by the Duke of 

 Bedford. 



The most severe loss that the Gardens have sustained was the death on 

 the elephant Padmahati, which had been presented to the Society by 

 the Duke of Connaught. It died apparently from some intestinal 

 inflammation of unknown origin. A Sea Lion also succumbed from 

 unknown causes, as well as a good many Monkej's and Birds. When- 

 ever possible Professor Mettam makes 2i post-mortem examination and 

 reports to the Council. 



The vSociety's silver medal for the best set of pictures was awarded to 

 Mrs. H. C. Sutherland, the Bronze Medal to Mr. J. F. Gainsfort, on the 

 recommendation of the Council's photographic committee. 



The Treasurer's Report shows that a balance of ;^i,936 10^. 2d. remains 

 to the credit of the Society as a result of the year's work. 



After the adoption of the Report moved by E. WhiTK and seconded by 

 Dr. E. MacD. Cosgrave, an exhibition of lantern slides illustrating the 

 5'ear's changes in the Gardens was given by Dr. J. A. ScoTT. Prof. G. H, 

 Carpenter, A. E. Goodbody, and E. White were elected to fill vacancies 

 on the Council. 



