58 Royal Zoological Society of Ireland 



Giraffe alone is not only the most valuable, but perhaps 

 the most interesting animal ever exhibited in Ireland. 

 During the past year the only important loss in the 

 collection was the Camel, which died of disease of the 

 lungs, but this loss has been more than counterbalanced 

 by the patriotic liberality of the Right Hon. R. More 

 O'Farrell, in whose donations already received are three 

 Ostriches and a Fezzan Sheep, which is said to be the 

 only specimen ever sent to the British Islands. Besides 

 these, a very fine Cassowary from New Guinea was 

 added to the collection by purchase. The value of 

 animals received by donation may be estimated at 

 £88 Is. 6d ; purchased, £22 8s. 9d. ; bred in Gardens, 

 £10. Against which may be set — lost by death, £68 7s ; 

 sold, £27 7s. ; leaving a balance increase value of the 

 stock equal to £24 16s. 3d. 



Third, when your Council inform you that your debt 

 has not been increased during the year, it is necessary 

 to state that they have paid sums amounting to 

 £109 17s. Id., bills for smiths' work, timber, animals, 

 advertisements, etc., which had lain over for two or 

 three years, this sum, being deducted from the apparently 

 increased balance, will demonstrate that the increase has 

 on the year more than met the expenditure. It should 

 likewise be recollected that the proceeds of the annual 

 promenade have not come within what might be expected 

 this year. Owing to the backward state of the spring it 

 was not deemed advisable to hold it until the Garden 

 was in a more forward state. Your Council strongly 

 urge on members by payment of their subscriptions to 

 relieve the gentlemen who have made themselves re- 

 sponsible for the balance which the amount on the whole 

 shows against the Society. 



During the year 20 members and subscribers have 

 been added to your roll, while 18 have died or resigned. 

 However, there are 22 more in arrear, whose names 

 become this day removable in failure of payment. 



Your Council beg to draw your attention to the returns 

 of admission to the Gardens during the past year, showing 

 a total of 64,328 persons. This is the best proof of the 

 value of your Society in affording intellectual recreation 

 to the people. Of its importance in aiding native artists 

 (who are freely admitted) so much has been already said 

 that it would seem unnecessary to recur to the subject, 



