TBE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 15 



little, and effected 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 magnificent institu- 

 tions of neighbouring countries. 



In the hope of removing this opprobrium to our age and nation, it 

 is proposed to establish a Society bearing the same relation to Zoology 

 that the Horticultural does to Botany, and upon a similar principle and 

 plan. The great object should be, the introduction of new varieties, 

 breeds, and races of animals, 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 large in as complete a series as may 

 be practicable, and at the same time point out the analogies between the 

 animals already domesticated and those which are similar in character, 

 upon which the first experiments may be made. 



To promote these objects, a piece of ground should be provided in 

 the neighbourhood of the metropolis, affording sufficient accommodation 

 for the above purposes; with a suitable establishment so conducted as 

 to admit of its extension on additional means being afforded. 



As it is presumed that a number of persons would feel disposed to 

 encourage an institution of this kind, it is proposed to make the Annual 

 Subscription from each individual only Two Pounds, and the Admission 

 Fee Three Pounds. The Members, of course, will have free and constant 

 access to the Collections and Grounds, and might, at a reasonable price, 

 be furnished with living specimens, or the ova of fishes and birds.* 



When it is considered how few amongst the immense variety of 

 animated beings have been hitherto applied to the uses of Man, and 

 that most of those which have been domesticated or subdued belong to 

 the early periods of society, and to the efforts of savage or uncultivated 

 nations, t it is impossible not to hope for many new, brilliant, and 

 useful results in the same field, by the application of the wealth, 

 ingenuity, and varied resources of a civilized people. 



* There appears to be no record of fish culture in connection with the 

 Zoological Society or of fish ova being sent to any of the Fellows. Some ponds 

 at Carshalton were visited with a view to renting or purchasing them as a 

 favourable site for experiments of this kind, but the owner, in a letter to the 

 Council in May, 1826, declined further negotiations. From an account of the 

 operation of stripping fish and fecundating the ova, in Sir Humphry Davy's 

 " Salmonia," it seems probable that the plan was due to him ; and he and 

 Sir Stamford RaflEles formed the committee that visited and reported on the 

 Carshalton ponds. 



t We owe the peacock and common fowl to the natives of India ; most of 

 our races of cattle, and swans, geese, and ducks, to the aborigines of Europe ; 

 the turkey to the natives of America ; the guinea-fowl to those of Africa. The 

 pike and carp, with some other fishes, were probably introduced by the monks. — 

 Original Note to Circular. 



