16 



of hope for the continuance of his ability to aid in carrying 

 out the desire of the Society for Zoological Research in the 

 interior of Africa adjacent to his station. 



Notwithstanding the obstacles at present intervening, there 

 is good reason to expect that the King of Dahomey will fiilfiU, 

 to the successor of Mr. Duncan, the promises which he gave 

 at their interview on the 3rd of September; and that some 

 of the unknown treasures of his territory will at no distant 

 period be added to the African types which have been already 

 in possession of the Society. 



The increasing influence of Dr. Bowring in China, gives 

 also hope of the most valuable results from his desire to as- 

 sist the Society, and the Council have been so fortunate as to 

 obtain the liberal cooperation of one of the most extensive 

 shipping firms in securing the transport of any objects of 

 Natural History which may be obtained by him at Canton or 

 any other of the Ports of China. 



Notwithstanding the encouraging aspect imparted to the 

 affairs of the Society by this cordial and effective support from 

 the most remote regions, and the probability of success in the 

 most difficult operation which zoological enterprise has yet 

 undertaken, the Council have still a stronger topic of congra- 

 tulation to offer to the Fellows, in the fact that they are au- 

 thorized to express the approval of our Gracious Sovereign in 

 the efforts which they have made for the restoration of this 

 Institution, and for the diffusion of intellectual recreation, by 

 its resources, among the great masses of the people. 



Her Majesty and the Prince Consort have obtained their 

 knowledge of our progress by personal observation ; and in 

 proof of their approbation, which is so flattering to the Society, 

 Her Majesty has lately added to the numerous Royal Gifts 

 already in the Collection, six very valuable animals which 

 formed the principal portion of a present transmitted for 

 Her Majesty's acceptance by the Emperor of Morocco. 



In so large a collection as that now possessed by the So- 

 ciety, it is impossible to avoid some serious annual casualties; 

 and the Council have since the last Report to record the loss 

 of the female Aurochs and three Bisons, carried off by Pleuro- 

 pneumonia, the scourge of horned cattle, for which as yet 

 no remedy has been discovered, although the ravages of this 



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