SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 12T 



Not long after placing the collection in the Elk House, one of 

 the reptiles injured a hind foot, and was seized with symptoms 

 resembling blood-poisoning. The limb swelled considerably, and 

 became entirely useless. Presently this condition affected the 

 other hind limb. The tortoise lost all desire for food, and seemed 

 to suffer some pain. It was unable to move about, except by 

 dragging itself along slowly with its front feet. 



Vigorous measures were then adopted. The wound was en- 

 larged, washed with antiseptics, and dressed daily. A week's 

 treatment was followed with very gratifying results. The swell- 

 ing subsided, the wound was permitted to heal, and the animal 

 recovered its appetite. Among captive animals which have been 

 indisposed, the latter symptom is always regarded as highly favor- 

 able. Within two weeks after receiving the injur}^ the reptile had 

 entirely recovered. 



Taking into consideration the fact that, with the exception of 

 the largest member of this colony, the giant tortoises in the Zoo- 

 logical Park are comparatively young individuals, there is reason 

 both to hope and believe that some of them will continue to be 

 residents of the Park long after the present human generation has 

 passed away. Even when another century of time has passed, 

 there should remain several members of our tortoise herd, each 

 one considerably younger than their present patriarch is to-day. 

 If they do thus survive in the year 2000, they will represent the 

 birth and development of this institution, and probably will be the 

 only creatures which have lived through from the period when 

 anticipations of great developments and the subsequent realization 

 of the same, one by one, marked the beginning, growth, and final 

 completion of the New York Zoological Park. 



