much pleasure in recording, inasmuch as for the last fifteen 

 years they have invariably had to report a diminution. 



And although the number of elections which took place 

 in the first four months of 1852 was unusually large, the 

 number of the cui'rent year is still in advance of it by one. 

 The Council believe, therefore, that there is every prospect 

 that these favourable circumstances will continue. 



2. Finances. 

 a. Income. 



The gross Income of 1852 amounted to £12,802 \5s.Zd. 



Taking into account the aggregate amount of the various 

 sources from which the receipts are derived, with the ex- 

 ception of the Admissions paid for by the public at the 

 Garden Gates, and the rent of the Refreshment Room, the 

 Income of the Society presents the favourable increase of 

 £770 15*. Ad. 



The principal items of this increase consist of 



Subscriptions . . . £152 Is. Od. 



Compositions . . . £240 0*. Od. 



Garden Sales . . . £388 12*. 9d. 

 The increase in Subscriptions and Compositions, although 

 not of a very large amount, affords satisfactory evidence 

 that the disposition of the higher classes to support the 

 objects of the Society is gradually strengthening, and the 

 Council trust that the present condition of the Establish- 

 ment will add considerably to the impulse which they 

 believe to have been given to public opinion in this respect 

 by the extensive improvements which they have recently 

 effected. 



The increased amount of the Garden Sales is due to the 

 accumulated riches of the Collection, which partly arise 

 from the birth of animals in the Menagerie, and partly 

 from the great number of specimens which have been 

 added by the liberality of various donors. 



While the Council have every reason to hope for a con- 

 tinuance, at least, of the improvement in Income derived 

 from Subscriptions and Compositions, they are happy to be 

 able to report that the receipts of the current year, under 

 the head of Garden Sales, will greatly exceed that of the 

 last, as they have akeady disposed of duplicates to the 

 amount of £600, without in any way diminishing the 



