25 



The Carnivora Dens and other Buildings throughout 

 the Gardens were also painted at a cost of £ll7 5*. '/d.; 

 this expense, so essential to the preservation of the Build- 

 ings, will not again be necessary for some years. 



Liabilities. 



The Liabilities of the Society are estimated at £2150, 

 their amount at the close of the year 1845 having been 

 :Gl798 ; there is consequently an increase of £352, a result 

 which is at once explained in a manifold degree by the 

 above extraordinary though necessary expenses, as well as 

 by the decrease in the Receipts. 



The Balance of Cash in the Bankei-'s hands is £231 16s. 4d. 



Assets. 

 The Assets of the Society are as follows, viz. : — 



£ s. d. 

 Cash at the Banker's ... 231 16 4 

 Three per Cents .... 7671 4 7 



£7903 11 



Conclusion. 



Your Committee have now fulfilled to the best of their 

 ability the important duty which has been confided to them, 

 and although they regret that they cannot congratulate the 

 Council and the Society upon the prosperous state of its 

 affairs at the close of the year 1846, they nevertheless desire 

 it to be distinctly understood that they see no cause what- 

 ever for despondency; on the contrary, bearing in mind 

 the very considerable reduction of expenditure which has 

 been effected under the able control and management of 

 the Council, and feeling as they do that there is no Institu- 

 tion in this great Metropolis which affords a greater degree 

 of intellectual enjoyment, in the contemplation of many of 

 the most beautiful as well as most wonderful works of the 

 creation, the Auditors entertain the firm conviction, that if 

 active and energetic measures are taken for affording greater 

 faciUties to the Public of participating in that enjoyment, 

 and for keeping constantly before the eyes of the Public, 

 not only in London but throughout the kingdom, the col- 

 lection of Quadrupeds, Birds and Reptiles which has been 



