68 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



The first establishment of the kind which \vas 

 used practically, and for the study of their natures, 

 was a menagerie founded at Versailles, by Louis 

 XIV., and which served for the schools of Buffon 

 and Daubenton ; and following this, the fine col- 

 lection in the Garden of Plants at Paris, formed 

 a source from which all Europe drew their re- 

 searches. In Britain, during this period, the collec- 

 tions of wild animals were confined to those of one or 

 two individuals, who made them sources of profit ; 

 and for many years that belonging to Mr Cross, in 

 Exeter Change, was well known as almost the only 

 place where a study could be obtained. Later years, 

 however, and an increasing knowledge of the utility 

 of Natural History, has raised up noble collections. 

 The Tower bas been renovated ; London, Liverpool, 

 and Dublin, have now their zoological gardens, and 

 England can no longer be taunted that she was unable 

 to equal the menageries of the Continent. The vari- 

 ous zoological gardens which are established and esta- 

 blishing throughout the country, are now the schools 

 of Natural History; and the wild beasts of the forests, 

 and fowls of tbe air, instead of being destroyed in 

 savage and unnatural conflicts, are studied, to learn ; 

 the wonders of their structure, and to discover the j 

 uses for which an all bountiful Creator has intended 

 them. 



Having tbus attempted to trace one department 

 of the history of these animals from the older ages 

 * the present time, we shall describe the habits and 



