22 



to no less a sum than £660 8*. 6d., and in 1845 to 

 £472 4*. 6c?., has been reduced to £341 14s., being a de- 

 crease of £130 10*. 6d. as compared with the year 1845, 

 and of £318 14s. 6d. as compared with the year 1844; a 

 convincing proof of the wisdom of the expenditure incurred 

 in the construction of the Carnivora Dens, the good effects 

 of which have fully realized the expectations which wex'c 

 formed of them by the auditors of the Society's expendi- 

 ture for 1843 ; who in their report dated March 29, 1844, 

 expressed their hope that this expenditure might "prove, 

 indirectly, an investment only, — the better accommodation 

 of Animals and perfect ventilation of their Dens causing 

 health and longevity, whereby the cost of new specimens 

 will be decreased." 



Carriage of Animals. 

 The decrease in the " Carriage of Animals " is also con- 

 siderable, having amounted last year to only £I4 16s. 4d.; 

 whereas in the three previous years the sums expended 

 under this head were as folloAv, viz. : — 



£ 

 In 1843 ... 56 

 In 1844 ... 61 

 In 1845 ... 50 



Provisions. 



There is also a decrease of £121 16s. 9d. under the head of 

 "Provisions " ; and a further decrease of £162 9s. 6d. in the 



Menagerie Expenses, 

 the sum expended last year having been much less than in 

 either of the three preceding years, as will be seen from 

 the following statement, viz. : — 



£ s. d. 



In 1843 ... 482 18 4 



In 1844 ... 356 12 2 



In 1845 ... 447 6 1 



In 1846 ... 284 16 7 



This decrease is the more satisfactoiy, inasmuch as it arises, 



very much, from the different treatment of the animals, for 



whose warmth, and, as was then supposed, better health, a 



much larger consumption of coals was considered necessary 



than at present. 



