THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35 



little book,"^ somewhat of the Sandford-and-Merton type, the 

 matter was thus discussed between Mr. Dartmouth, a Fellow, 

 and some of his sister's children, who visit the Garden with 

 him. Said one of the children: 



The necessity that Strangers must either be introduced by Members, 

 or else provided with their orders, or with their tickets, is productive, I 

 should think, of some inconveniences 1 



Taking advantage of this opening, Mr. Dartmouth replied: 



It certainly is so ; but upon the whole the restriction is probably 

 beneficial. Besides, few of the persons who are proper visitors can have 

 much difficulty in finding Members willing to oblige them. 



It is evidently proper, that in the admission of Strangers, some degree 

 of system should be observed, especially at the Garden, for the sake, both 

 of preventing mischief and injury to the Animals, and to the Garden itself, 

 and of contributing, in some degree, to save the Visitors themselves from 

 the accidents that sometimes attend exhibitions of wild beasts of prey. 

 The vulgar are too fond of irritating the fiercer animals and of teasing and 

 hurting those which are gentle ; and both vulgar and others are often 

 exceedingly rash in introducing their hands into the dens and enclosures, or 

 careless in placing themselves so near the bars, as to defeat the effect of 

 every precaution for their safety. Upon the first subject, as you know, 

 we have had to caution George ; and I believe both George and Jane are 

 indebted to some risks which they have run for the respectful distance 

 which they now keep. Only the other day, too, as we saw, one of the 

 Wolves, though so well guarded in the kennel, bit the arm of a little 

 boy that had taken much pains to introduce it through the bars. You 

 see, therefore, that caution is needful ; and, perhaps, even in this view 

 alone, it is proper that the admission should not be indiscriminate. 

 The necessity for orders almost prevents young people from coming 

 without some superintendence. 



The " thick ungrateful clay " of the Park was found to be 

 the cause of increased expense in the construction of houses. 

 Consideration for the health of the animals necessitated oak 

 floors, and a thick layer of dry material had to be deposited 

 under enclosures and walks. These disadvantages, however, 

 were considered " amply counterbalanced by the vicinity of the 



* " The Zoological Keepsake ; or, Zoology and the Garden and Museum of the 

 Zoological Society for the year 1830." London : Marsh and Miller. No author's 

 name is given, and the Editor's Preface is signed M*. It is stated in a note on 

 p. 45 that the Editor contributed " Critical Accounts of South American Camels " 

 to the Colonial Journal (1817, 1818) ; but examination of that short-lived Quarterly 

 throws no light on the authorship. 



