66 Nf'iV Iiislitution for the Promutioii of Zoology. 



of animals employed in social life, for labour, clothing, food, 

 or amusement, are the direct objects of its contemplation ; 

 their improvement, the manner in which their number may be 

 increased, the application of their produce, its connexion with 

 various departments of industry and manufactures, are oi 

 great importance toman in every stage of his existence, but 

 most so in proportion as he advances in wealth, civilization, 

 and refinement. 



It has long been a matter of deep regret to the cultivators 

 of natural history, that we possess no great scientific establish- 

 ments either for teaching or elucidating zoology, and no pub- 

 lic menageries or collections of living animals, where their 

 nature, properties, and habits may be studied. In almost 

 every other part of Europe, except in the metropolis of the 

 British empire, something of this kind exists ; but, though 

 richer than any other country in the extent and variety of our 

 possessions, and having more facilities from our colonies, our 

 fleets, and our varied and constant intercourse with every 

 quarter of the globe, for collecting dead specimens and intro- 

 ducing living animals, we have as yet attempted little, and done 

 almost nothing; and the student of natural history, or the 

 philosopher who wishes to examine animated nature, has no 

 other resource but that of visiting and profiting by the magni- 

 ficent institutions of a neighbouring and a rival country. It 

 is to be hoped that this opprobrium to our age and nation may 

 disappear; and there can scarcely be a better moment lor an 

 undertaking of this kind than the present, — a state of profound 

 peace, increasing prosperity-, and overflowing wealth, when 

 the public mind is prepared to employ its activity, and direct 

 its resources to new objects and enterprises. 



It is proposed to establish a Society bearing the same rela- 

 tion to zoology, that the Horticultural does to botany, and 

 upon a similar principle and plan. The great objects should 

 be the introduction of new varieties, breeds, and races of ani- 

 mals, for the purpose of domestication, or for stocking our 

 farm-yards, woods, pleasure-grounds, and wastes : with the 

 establishment of a general zoological collection, consisting of 

 prepared specimens in the different classes and orders, so as 

 to afford a correct view of the animal kingdom at larg-e in as 

 coniplete a series as may be practicable, and at the same time 

 point out the analogies between the animals already domesti- 

 cated, and those which are similar in chai'acter, upon which 

 the first experiments were made. 



To promote these objects, 1st, A piece of ground should 

 be provided, with abundance of water, and variety of soil 

 ;and a^^pect, whei'c covers, thickets, lakes, extensive menageries, 



and 



