58 The Irish Naturalist March, 
and strengthened for his reception. He is believed to be the largest 
Ape ever shown in Dublin* 
Perhaps the most notable feature in the Monkey House at present is 
the collection of South American species, whose gymnastic feats — well 
aided by the prehensile tail — are a great attraction to visitors. Four female 
Black -faced Spider -monkeys disport themselves in the large central cage, 
while two species of Capuchins — the White -fronted and the Brown — are 
represented by three and live specimens, respectively. 
V^ery serious loss has been sustained in the grand collection of Lions 
through the deaths of " Jerry " — given years ago by Lord Cran worth ; 
of •' Sultan," the noble wild male given in 191 1 by H.M. the King ; and 
of ■' Vesta," one of the breeding Lionesses, which had lived since her birth 
in 1903 continuously in the open-air den. The deaths of " Jerry " and 
"Sultan" were due to intestinal stoppage, altogether irremediable by 
any possible care of the keeper. As some compensation for these losses, 
a pair of well -grown young Lions from East Africa were kindly given by 
Mr. H. Gurney Barclay. Of these, the female, " Mitze," has been mated 
with " Conn " in place of the dead " ^^esta." A Utter of four fine cubs, 
two of either sex, were born in September, " Red Hugh " and " Maive " 
being the parents. The " Niger-Nigeria " family born in 191 1 were sold, 
together with their sister, "' Sheila." The stock now stands at nine males 
and eight females. 
The Pumas continue to flourish in their open-air cages ; another cub 
was born in August, and a new male has been given by the Earl of Lonsdale. 
The pair of Dingos have brought up a family of six puppies. A very 
valuable gift received during 191 2 is the Indian Wild Dog given by Mr. 
W. E. J. Dobbs. The Duke of Orleans presented a large old Russian 
Brown Bear, and a younger member of the same species was received in 
exchange. A group of five Racoons have been given by the Rt. Hon. 
Jonathan Hogg. 
After prolonged consideration, the Council decided that an Elephant 
must be obtained for the collection, and a very healthy and good-tempered 
young female, " Roma " by name, was bought from Messrs. Hagenbeck 
for ;£25o, the sum spent on her purchase representing half of the whole 
year's expenditure on new animals. "' Ronia " arrived in charge of an 
Indian keeper, who, after staying a fortnight, handed over his pet to the 
Society's Elephant -keeper. Among Ungulata the Society has to regret 
the loss of several valuable specimens, including the Wapiti Stag, the 
Maxwell's Duiker, and the W^art Hog. On account of the difficulties 
raised by the prevalence of cattle -disease, no attempt has been made to 
replenish the stock in this order of beasts. The Black -tailed Wallabys 
in the Haughton House continue to breed freely ; two young were born 
in the summer. A Virginian Opossum, not represented in the Gardens 
for some time past, has been purchased. Among the Birds, a Burmese 
Hawk -Eagle from D. J. M. Falkiner, and a Sharpe's Wood Owl (West 
Africa) are especially noteworthy gifts. Dr. W, S. Bruce, of Edinburgh, 
deposited three Spitsbergen Ptarmigan in the Gardens, but it was possible 
to keep them ahve only for a few weeks. An exceptionally large West 
African Python, measuring 18 feet in length and weighing 130 lbs., way 
