[Saunders' News-Letter, Wednesday, May 2, 1849.] 

 ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND. 



A Meeting of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland 

 was held in the Gardens, Phoenix Park, yesterday. 



Dr. A. Smith in the Chair. 



The following Report was read and adopted : — 



" At the close of a year of unexampled depression it 

 should not dishearten the Royal Zoological Society to 

 learn that it has suffered in common with other Institu- 

 tions dependent on the voluntary support of the public ; 

 yet it is not without a feeling approaching to exultation 

 that your Council come before you to report that not- 

 withstanding a great diminution in their income, they 

 have, by rigid economy, continued to maintain the Society 

 without increasing its liabilities, and they are enabled to 

 hand over their charge to their successors — 



First, with your Gardens much improved, 



Second, your collection of animals not lessened in 

 value, though somewhat diminished in number; and 

 Third, your debts not increased. 



It seems necessary to offer explanation of these 

 scarcely to be expected results. 



First, with respect to the Gardens. Your Council, 

 having no work of extent in progress during the year, 

 have been enabled to turn attention to minor details, and 

 have, by judicious planting, the formation of new walks, 

 etc., much improved your grounds. In this work they 

 have been aided by the energy and skill of Mr. Buckley, 

 the acting Superintendent, and they have been enabled 

 to increase the arboricultural interest attached to your 

 plantations by the addition of a number of trees and 

 shrubs, given by Mr. Toole in lieu of a life subscription 

 to the Society. 



Second, as to the collection of animals, it is true its 

 number is not large, but then in it are to be found some 

 of the finest and most remarkable specimens, whether 

 considered as regards their scientific interest, marketable 

 value, or unexampled healthfulness. The magnificent 



