74 THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Council stated that the practice was " not only impartial towards 

 those who were desirous of becoming purchasers, but advantageous 

 also to the Society." It was not, however, of long continuance, 

 probably because the Farm stock was soon disposed of. The 

 first sale took place on June 28, 1832, and the last known 

 catalogue is that of which the title-page is reproduced on the 

 previous page. 



There were thirty-six lots ; and, despite the optimistic views 

 of the Council, the prices cannot be considered high. A pair of 

 Chinese geese went for 10s., two gold-spangled Polish fowls for 

 19s. ; a ram and two ewes, bred between a Wallachian ram and 

 Dorset ewes, for £3 3s. ; a wapiti hind for £4 4s., and two fallow 

 bucks for £6 6s. The Maltese jack was bought in for £23. 



The premises in Bruton Street soon became crowded, and it 

 was determined to look out for a building suitable for a Museum, 

 or a site whereon one might be erected. When the Council 

 made known their wants in this respect, many replies were 

 received. On March 31, 1831, Marc Isambard Brunei wrote 

 thus: 



It has been reported in the papers that the Zoological Society had in 

 conteraplation of purchasing the Colosseum ; if so, which it is to be hoped will 

 he the case, I beg to suggest that, instead of the Panorama of London, the 

 Society may substitute the Georama in true and classic proportions. It 

 will be the most splendid Exhibition that can be offered to the country ; 

 it will be the university for some of the most useful sciences of ours and of 

 future days— Zoology, Geology, Mineralogy, Geography, etc., etc., com- 

 mercial, military, and political relations. 



Mr. Brunei offered to go into details of his scheme if the 

 Society wished for further information. Apparently there was no 

 such wish, and the matter dropped. Mr. C. Willson's offer of 

 the Egyptian Hall was also declined. 



Donations for the Museum came in rapidly, and the col- 

 lection soon acquired larger dimensions than that in the British 

 Museum. The Government sent many valuable contributions ; 

 the Secretary of State presented specimens of the different 

 species collected by Sir John Franklin's expedition, to which 

 Dr. (afterwards Sir John) Richardson was naturalist; while 

 from the Lords of the Admiralty were received the greater 

 portion of the zoological collections made by Captain Foster, 



