ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT OF COUNCIL, 1854. 



The Council, in presenting the Twenty-Second Annual 

 Report, have to congratulate the Society on progress 

 made during the past year. 



In common with many other Institutions, your Society 

 shared the advantages arising from the influx of strangers 

 brought hither, by the enterprise of Mr. Dargan, to visit 

 the Great Exhibition. The accession of funds thus 

 acquired enabled the Council to effect many improve- 

 ments and works much wanted. They have permanently 

 rebuilt the stables, sheds, and offices, originally temporary 

 structures, but long since in a state of decay. They have 

 built a house for the display of aquatic animals, and have 

 had a forcing pump, tanks, pipes, &c, fitted for a due 

 supply of water to this interesting addition, as well as for 

 supplying water to the two other principal houses. They 

 have also erected a horizontal windmill, with the view of 

 aerating the water in the several fish tanks, fifteen of 

 which, it is hoped, will be in action within the next few 

 days.* 



Dog kennels have been constructed for experiments in 

 the restoration of the ancient Irish wolf dog, and for the 

 more extensive breeding of dogs, a considerable demand 

 existing for blood-hound and other pups, and much profit 

 to the funds of the Society thence resulting. 



The Garden has been top-dressed, the fallen and 

 decayed timber taken away, and the whole very greatly 

 improved. 



No important losses have been sustained, or additions 

 made in the collection ; the value on the whole, however, 

 is slightly increased. 



The most interesting animals added, are a pair of 

 Guanacos and a Mouflon, supposed by some naturalists to 

 be the original of all the domestic varieties of sheep, from 

 which it is distinguished by its goat-like hair, enormous 

 horns, and restless activity. 



* The tanks have since been completed, and a plan of aerating the water adopted, 

 which has proved very successful. 



