10 



The Library at the present time consists of 420 volumes, 

 of which number 353 have been presented, and the remaining 

 67 purchased. 



THE GARDENS 



during the past year have proved unusually attractive to the 

 Members and to the pubhc. The visitors to that estabHshment 

 have amounted to 263,392; of which number 64,102 consisted 

 of Members and their companions; 10,028 were admitted by 

 means of named Ivory Tickets ; and 1 89,262 on the orilers of 

 Fellows on the payment of Is. each : these last receipts amount 

 to 9463/. 25., being a sum of 2119/. 16s. beyond that received 

 in the previous year. 



Woris. 



The chief work undertaken by the Council has been the 

 house erected for the accommodation of the Giraffes, which has 

 been constructed on a scale commensurate with the value and 

 importance of those rare and interesting animals. The space 

 allotted to them consists of two apartments, of the dimensions 

 of 40 feet by 20, and 20 feet by 20, with a door of communi- 

 cation, by closing which a separation of the animals may at 

 any time be effected should circumstances render it necessary. 

 The other portion of the building is appropriated to the use 

 of the visitors. 



The mode of warming this building has been the subject of 

 the Council's best attention ; and after a careful consideration 

 of various plans for that purpose, that of Mr. Sylvester has 

 been finally adopted. 



Additional contracts have been made for the formation of a 

 path of access to the east and west doors of the building ; for 

 making suitable yards and paddock in connexion with the 

 building ; and for oak fencing to inclose the paddock. 



The intention of the Council to have commenced early in 

 the past year the erection of a series of dens for the reception 

 of Carnivora having been abandoned for a time on the arrival 

 of the Giraffes, the Council were induced, at the suggestion 



