29 



The Committee observe with satisfaction that the improve- 

 ments which have been effected in the Collection of living 

 Animals, and in the Garden Establishment generally, have 

 been appreciated by the Fellows, whose visits have exceeded 

 those of 1847 by nearly 1000; although, unfortunately, the 

 number of the Fellows has been reduced, by death and resig- 

 nations, to the extent of 128. 



The same causes which have excited the interest of the 

 Fellows, combined with the judicious diminution of the pay- 

 ment on which Children and the Pubhc are admitted to the 

 Gardens, have produced the remarkable increase of 50,000 in 

 the number of unprivileged visitors, as compared with those 

 of 1847 ; and the income from this source has consequently 

 been improved to the extent of £800, although the regulation 

 was only in force nine months, and the season unfavourable. 



The Committee have therefore to congratulate the Council 

 on the success of this measure, which they regard as equally 

 liberal in principle and sound in point of finance. 



The Committee observe -with pleasure a great increase in 

 the collection of Arrears of Subscriptions, although the reverse 

 might have been expected, owing to the general monetary de- 

 pression throughout the country. 



The Committee observe a considerable increase in the 

 amount of payments for the Purchase of Animals, and for 

 Buildings : but they find that the Collection has been enriched 

 by the addition of many objects of interest, and that the pro- 

 perty of the Society has been increased by four important 

 buildings, and a valuable protective addition to the south side 



