12 



young stock, consisting of a male calved in 1853 and two 

 females, to the Viscount Hill, whose intention it is to con- 

 tinue under the most favourable circumstances in his Park 

 atHawkstone the experimental acclimatation of this noble 

 Antilope, which has hitherto made so rapid a progi'css in 

 the Society's Establishment. 



Although the past year has presented unusually few op- 

 portunities of obtaining additions to the Menagerie, several 

 interesting species have been replaced in it, among which 

 a male Thylacine, recently purchased, is the most remark- 

 able ; this animal being the third only which has ever 

 reached Europe in a living state ; while the rapid diminu- 

 tion of its numbers in Tasmania renders its future acqui- 

 sition every year less and less probable. 



Among the forms absolutely new to the Collection, the 

 most interesting in a scientific point of view, as well as the 

 most recent addition, is the large Frugivorous Bat of 

 India, Pteropus edulis, of which three specimens have 

 been brought home for the Society by the assiduity and 

 perseverance of Capt. Nesbit. 



The arrival of the Goojerat Lions in 1854, for which 

 the Society was indebted to the influence of Sir Erskine 

 Perry and Col. Jacob with His Highness the Rajah of 

 Janaghar, furnished for the first time a type of the Asiatic 

 variety or species concerning the distinctness of which 

 some doubts had up to that time existed. 



In the present year tlie Society has acquired, through 

 the munificence of Mr. Alderman Finnis, a pair of Lions 

 from Mesopotamia, which are extremely interesting as a 

 further illustration of the modifications produced by the 

 geographic range of this animal; and their progress to 

 maturity will not fail to attract the attention il deserves. 



The present state and extent of the Collection op 

 Caknivora the Council believe to be unprecedented in 

 excellence, recruited as it has been by this unique impor- 

 tation from a country whence previous accessions have 

 been so limited. 



The Aquarium has continued to afford the greatest 

 gratification to Visitors ; and extended experience in its 

 management will soon, it is hoped, obviate some of the 

 difficulties which have hitherto interfered with the perfect 

 exhibition of the animals which inhabit sea-water. 



Many new species have been added to the series, and 



