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1, Works.- — a. New Monkey-house. 



The only work of considerable magnitude, undertaken 

 since the last Anniversary, was the erection of the New 

 Monkey-house ; and though the expense of heating and. 

 fitting it up considerably exceeded what they were led to 

 anticipate, the Council nevertheless refer with satisfaction 

 to the substaiitial nature of the structure, and the superior 

 accomodation which the internal arrangements are calculated 

 to afford to its inmates. The erection of the external cages 

 is now rapidly advancing, and will be completed early in the 

 ensuing month. 



The unprecedented mortality which occurred among the 

 Monkeys in the months of December, January and Febru- 

 ary last, M'as a subject of great concern to the Council, who 

 took immediate steps to investigate the cause of the cala- 

 mity. A Committee was appointed for this purpose early 

 in December, who reported that the casualties which had 

 bccurred were not necessarily attributable to any imperfec- 

 tion in the structure itself, or insufficiency in the means em- 

 ployed for heating and ventilating it ; and that the mortality 

 might possibly be owing to the exposure and discomforts of 

 the quarters previously occupied by the animals, and the 

 pulmonary excitement consequent on their removal into a 

 different atmosphere. The Council, however, finding that 

 the*mortality still continued, exerted every means in their 

 power to place the cause of it beyond a doubt; and, amongst 

 other measures to which they had recourse, consulted Drs. 

 Arnott and Marshall Hall respecting the mode of warming 

 and ventilating the house. The observations and suggestions 

 which these gentlemen, have obligingly laid before the 

 Council, have been referred to the consideration of a Se- 

 lect Committee, and experiments are now carrying on at the 

 Monkey-house in accordance with these suggestions. As 

 soon as these experiments are completed, and the Select 

 Committee make their Report to the Council, the whole 

 subject will be laid before the Society, till which it is felt 

 that ^ny more detailed notice would be premature. 



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