THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17 



In a later letter there is a more raodest estimate of the 

 number of original members, and it was not till 1831 that the 

 Fellowship roll included 2,000 names. The foregoing letter is of 

 considerable interest, as it contains the first known reference 

 by Sir Stamford Raffles to the Jardin des Plantes. 



About the end of April Sir Humphry Davy went into the 

 country and left with Sir Stamford Raffles the " list of names 

 in support of the plan for extending our zoological re- 

 searches," so that he might add the names of as many of his 

 friends as were desirous of supporting it. In a letter dated 

 April 28, to Sir R. H. Inglis inviting his co-operation, Sir 

 Stamford wrote : 



In the first instance we look mainly to the country gentlemen for 

 support, in point of numbers ; but the character of the institution must 

 of course, depend on the proportion of men of science and sound 

 principles which it contains. I look more to the scientific part, and 

 propose, if it is established on a respectable footing, to transfer to it the 

 collection in natural history which I have brought home with me.* 



The only other record for this year consists of the minutes 

 of a meeting " of the original proposers of the Society " at the 

 rooms of the Horticultural Society on June 22. The Earl of 

 Darnley was the Chairman, and a Committee was appointed 

 to further the project. Its constitution was identical with that 

 appointed in July, 1824 (p. 14). Messrs. Drummond were ap- 

 pointed bankers ; and it was resolved that the meeting " be 

 advertised when the number of its members amounted to 

 two hundred." 



From this date there appear to be no records till those of the 

 Committee Meeting held on February 26, 1826, for " taking into 

 consideration the plan of the proposed Society." Sir Stamford 

 Raffles was the Chairman, and the other members were the 

 Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Darnlej^ Sir Humphry Davy, 

 Sir Everard Home, Dr. Horsfield, Mr. Davies Gilbert, Mr. Joseph 

 Sabine, and Mr. N. A. Vigors. Lord Auckland, Sir Robert Inglis, 

 and Dr. Harewood were also present, though only as visitors. It 

 was agreed that the official designation of the new body should 

 be " The Zoological Society of London " ; and that an application 

 should be made to the Government for an allotment of ground 



: * "Memoir of Sir Thomas Stamford Eaffles, r.R.S.," p. 590. 

 C 



