23 



hopes which they have on former occasions expressed of 

 the success of this important addition to the Society's 

 Garden estabhshment have been^ as will be subsequently 

 shown, more than realized. 



The only remaining item of extraordinary expenditure 

 consists of the sum of £l77> devoted to clearing the 

 ground and burning ballast on the proposed site of the 

 new Reptile-house. The plans for this much-required 

 building have been ready for some time past, and the 

 Council have great hopes that the improvement in the 

 Society's finances which has taken place during the past 

 few months will enable them to commence the undertaking 

 at the end of the present summer. 



2. Insect-house. 



Although of late years many entomologists have been 

 in the habit of rearing insects in capti\dty for the purpose 

 of watching their transformations and of obtaining good 

 specimens in each stage of their existence, nothing like a 

 systematic attempt, so far as the Council know, has yet 

 been made to form a general collection of living insects 

 for exhibition. As in former days with respect to reptiles 

 and the lower marine animals, so in the present instance 

 as regards its Insect-house, the Society seems to be first 

 in the field, and, so far as can be judged from the progress 

 already made, to be likely to attain many interesting and 

 instructive results. 



The building uow used as an Insect-house is con- 

 structed of iron and glass on three sides, with a brick 

 back to it, and formerly formed part of the refreshment- 

 rooms. The cases containing the insects are arranged 

 on stands all round the building, and also occupy two 

 tables in the centre. The cases used for the principal 

 specimens are formed of zinc plates. The upper part of 

 them is glazed on all four sides, the top being formed of 

 perforated zinc so as to admit the air. The food-plant or 

 object required for the suspension of the chrysalises, when 

 that stage of the insect is exhibited, is inserted into the 

 case through a circular hole in the bottom ; but the glass 

 front also opens, so that ready access can be obtained to 

 the interior. The larger cases in the front row measure 

 about 24 inches in breadth by 18 in depth, and are 32 inches 

 in height. The cases in the opposite row are of similar 

 construction, but rather smaller in dimensions. 



