14 



the animals in Malta : and it was not until his landing of 

 them in that island that he was entitled to receive the stipu- 

 lated price, which was fixed at a rate for each individual, di- 

 minishing in proportion to the number that he should suc- 

 ceed in bringing with him. 



M. Thibaut has been singularly successful in his enter- 

 prise. He quitted Cairo in April 1834, bearing a firman 

 from the Pacha of Egypt, and reached in August the Desert 

 of Kordofan ; where he soon made himself master of five 

 young Giraffes. Four of these having been killed in the 

 Desert on his return to Dongolah, by the severe weather of 

 December, he determined on remaining in that neighbour- 

 hood until he had procured others ; and having subsequently 

 captured three, he proceeded down the Nile with his valu- 

 able and interesting charge, and reached Malta in safety 

 with four Giraffes, three males and one female, on the 21st 

 of November last. After a quarantine of twenty-five days, 

 the animals were removed to convenient quarters, granted 

 for their use by the Governor at the instance of Mr. Bourchier ; 

 and they have since remained there, continuing, at the date 

 of the last advices, in perfect health and in improving con- 

 dition. Having thus fulfilled his engagements with the So- 

 ciety, M. Thibaut became entitled to receive the stipulated 

 remuneration, £700, which has accordingly been paid to him. 

 But the Council have considered it so desirable to avail 

 themselves of his experience with respect to these valuable 

 animals, that they have arranged with him for the continu- 

 ance of his services until their arrival in England ; and have 

 undertaken, moreover, to make to him on his arrival a hand- 

 some present, proportioned to his eventual success. 



For the conveyance of the Giraffes to England, the Coun- 

 cil have availed themselves of a favourable opportunity 

 offered by the Manchester, a steam-vessel of great size and 

 power, which proceeded to Lisbon at the commencement of 

 the present month, having been specially engaged for the 

 service of Prince Ferdinand of Portugal. From Lisbon the 



