The Zoological Society of Cincinnati. 83 



grapple with the scientific problems of the future. The intellect of 

 to-day demands facts — sifted and tried — as the basis of all speculation ; 

 and the future demand will be even more inexorable. It therefore 

 behooves us to provide liberally for that demand ; and, as a step in 

 this direction, the creation of a zoological garden with the object, as 

 declared in the Constitutionof the Society, of promoting the "study and 

 dissemination of a knowledge of the nature and habits of creatures of 

 the animal kingdom," is one which entitled its projectors to the grati- 

 tude of every citizen who appreciates the value of education. 



We are enabled, through the kindness of the officers of the Society, 

 to present a brief history of its origin and organization. Prior to any 

 public suggestion of the matter, Mr. Andrew Erkenbrecher, President 

 of the Acclimatization Society, had, through the Secretary of that 

 body, corresponded with the celebrated naturalist. Dr. A. E. Brehra, 

 with a view of obtaining an estimate of the cost of a Zoological Garden 

 established upon European models, requesting statistics in regard 

 to those already established in Europe, and all othe r available infor- 

 mation pertinent to the subject. 



The reply of the distinguished scientist, containing many valuable 

 suggestions, and accompanied by the annual reports and statements of 

 several European societies, was laid before a meethig of the Acclimati- 

 zation Society, held at the rooms of the Cincinnati Board of Trade, 

 June 19th, 1873. At this meeting, a resolution, oifered by Mr. John 

 Simpkinson, was adopted, providing for a committee charged with 

 the duty of digesting a plan of operations. The committee, consisting 

 of Messrs. Andrew Erkenbrecher, John Simpkmson, and George H. 

 Knight, subsequently called a meeting of citizens understood to be 

 favorable to the proposed enterprise, for Monday, June 30, 1873, at 

 which Dr. Lilienthal, Mr. Simpkinson, and others, delivered spirited 

 addresses, a large sum of money was subscribed, and resolutions Avere 

 adopted providing for the incorporation of a Society whose capital stock 

 should be 6300,000. In conformity with this action, Messrs. Simpkin- 

 son, Erkenbrecher, C. Oskamp, Knight, and A. Tenner, subscribed 

 articles of incorporation under the name of the " Zoological Society of 

 Cincinnati," which were duly filed and recorded, according to law, on 

 the 11th dav of July, 1873. The first meeting of the newly formed 

 Society, was held at the Board of Trade rooms, on July 28th, and the 

 following named gentlemen elected Directors to manage its afl'airs, viz. : 

 Joseph Longworth, J. Simpkinson, A. Erkenbrecher, A. Pfirmann, 

 John A. Mohlenhoff*, Charles P. Taft, John Shillito, George K. Shoen- 

 berger and Julius Dexter. The Board of Directors thus constituted, 

 immediately organized and elected the following named officers, viz. : 



