11 



proper management of the Collection of Living Animals, 

 as well as for effectually providing against dilapidation in 

 the buildings themselves. 



The first work of importance undertaken in the year 

 1850 was The Eastern Wing of the Giraffe House, 

 prepared in anticipation of the arrival of the Hippopota- 

 mus. This structure was carefully considered with refer- 

 ence to the primary object of preserving the Animal in 

 health, and in this respect it has perfectly succeeded. The 

 limits which the Council assigned to it were such as ap- 

 peared to them sufficient for this purpose, and they were 

 unwilling to incur a greater outlay than was absolutely 

 necessary before the certainty of the intended inhabitant's 

 arrival could be known. 



To obviate, as far as possible, the inconveniences to which 

 Visitors were subjected during the summer of 1850 from 

 the inadequate dimensions of the portion of the house de- 

 voted to spectators, the Council have constructed a Tank 

 in the open air, 33 feet square and of suitable depth, com* 

 manded by platforms, from which they calculate that about 

 1000 Persons will be able to see the Hippopotamus at the 

 same time. 



Among other additions to the accommodation for Ani- 

 mals which were effected in 1850, the Council refer to the 

 improved state of the Small Quadruped House in the 

 North Garden, and to the Inclosures in the open air which 

 are now connected with it. A very interesting Miscella- 

 neous Collection is displayed in them, and their dimensions 

 are such as to admit of that scope for exercise which is 

 so essentially requisite for health. 



Ten Sheds and Inclosures for Antilopes and the 

 smaller species of Deer have been erected at a very mode- 

 rate cost on the South side of the Museum, and contain, 

 with those which previously existed in the same locality, 

 about thirty specimens from India, Brazil, North America 

 and West Africa, which have passed the winter there with- 

 out a single loss. 



The great financial success which has been already 

 noticed as distinguishing the summer of 1850, and the 

 consideration of the peculiar cii'cumstances of the coming 

 summer, confirmed the opinion of the Council as to the 

 desirableness of thoroughly developing the manifold at- 

 tractions of which the Garden Establishment is capable. 



