70 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



In the mammal collection the losses by death have been very 

 trifling. The only noteworthy departures were an aged kiang, 

 a Bengal tiger and a Baker roan antelope. 



The general physical condition of the mammals has been 

 very satisfactory. There have been no epidemics, and the im- 

 portant animals have been kept in a state of health so plainly ap- 

 parent that it has been a pleasure to look at them. 



The census for the close of the year is as follows : 



MAMMALS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



(Osborn's Classification.) 



Species. Specimens. 



Marsupialia 6 13 



insectivora 1 1 



Carnivora 67 140 



Pinnipedia 2 2 



rodentia 46 245 



Edentata 3 7 



Primates 41 98 



Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates) . . 60 288 



Perissodactyla (Odd-Toed Ungulates) 10 14 



Proboscidea 3 5 



Hyracoidea 1 2 



Total 240 815 



the economic rodent-reptile collection.* 



As an answer to a frequent question — "Of what use are rep- 

 tiles?" — a new collection has been installed in the Reptile House. 

 It is supplied with descriptive labels, and serves several purposes. 

 In the first place there is presented an elaborate series of the 

 small gnawing animals, or rodents, a number of the species of 

 which are highly injurious to the interests of agriculturists; sec- 

 ondly, the exhibition contains a large series of those species of 

 snakes that prey upon the destructive rodents, — thus presenting 

 for observation the serpents of marked economic value. Finally, 

 the entire series stands as a clear demonstration of the perfect 

 logic of Nature in which the production of all animal life is care- 

 fully balanced ; for a part of the exhibition is composed of repre- 

 sentative species of mammals that, in turn, prey upon the ser- 

 pents, thus keeping even the destroyers of the smaller injurious 

 creatures within bounds ! 



* Report prepared by Curator Ditmars. 



