14 THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Chairman : Sir Stamford Raffles. 



Duke of Somerset 

 Earl of Darnley 

 Earl of Egremont 

 Earl of Malmesbury 

 Viscount Gage 

 Bishop of Carlisle 

 Lord Stanley- 

 Sir H. Davy 

 Sir Everard Home 

 E. Barnard, Esq. 

 H. T. Colebrooke, Esq. 



Davies Gilbert, Esq. 

 Rev. Dr. Goodenough 

 Thos. Horsfield, Esq., M.D. 

 Rev. W. Kirby 

 T. A. Knight, Esq. 

 T. A. Knight, Jun., Esq. 

 W. Sharp MacLeaj^, Esq. 

 J. Sabine, Esq. 

 N. A. Vigors, Esq. 

 Chas. Baring Wall, Esq. 



♦** Noblemen and Gentlemen desirous of becoming Members of this 

 Society are requested to give their names to any Member of the above 

 Committee, or to Mr. Griffiths, at the Royal Institution in Albemarle 



Prospectus of a Society for introducing and domesticating 

 New Breeds or Varieties of Animals, such as Quadrupeds, Birds, 

 or Fishes, Hkely to be useful in Common Life ; and for forming 

 a General Collection in Zoology. 



Zoology, which exhibits the nature and properties of animated beings, 

 their analogies to each other, the wonderful delicacy of their structure, 

 and the fitness of their organs to the peculiar purposes of their existence, 

 must be regarded not only as an interesting and intellectual study, but 

 as a most important branch of Natural Theology, teaching by the design 

 and wonderful results of organization the wisdom and power of the 

 Creator. In its relation to useful and immediate oeconomical purposes 

 it is no less important. The different races of animals employed in 

 social life, for labour, clothing, food, etc., are the direct objects of its 

 attention ; their improvement, the manner in which their number may 

 be increased, the application of their produce, and its connection with 

 various departments of industry and manufactures, are of the utmost 

 importance to Man, 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 establishments either for teaching 

 or elucidating Zoology, and no public 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 

 specimens and introducing living animals, we have as yet attempted 



