14 



These losses have been partly compensated by new 

 and valuable additions. Each of the two lionesses 

 has lately brought forth five cubs, of which nine are 

 living and thriving extremely well (making seventeen 

 whelped within the year); and another seal of larger 

 size has been recently purchased, and forms an object 

 of great attraction. 



The Society have also received some interesting 

 animals as gifts— a full list of which is appended to 

 this report — amongst which the Council would parti- 

 cularly acknowledge two fine Boa Constrictors, pre- 

 sented by Surgeon Greer, 21st Fusileers; two Dog- 

 headed Boas, presented by M. Brown, Esq. ; three 

 King Crabs, presented by Mr. Graves, of Liverpool; 

 three Demoiselle Cranes, and a Buddy Sheldrake, 

 presented by Mr. Alexander M'Donnell; and a very 

 fine "Wapiti Deer, the gift of Lord Powerscourt. 



From the Treasurer's account it will appear that a 

 considerable sum was expended on buildings. The 

 Council, although most unwilling to incur expenses 

 which there were not funds in hands to meet, could no 

 longer defer repairs of several of the buildings, which 

 were in so dilapidated a condition as to endanger the 

 health of the animals contained in them, some of which 

 were of considerable value. It was also necessary to 

 provide the requisite accommodation for a Khinoceros, 

 and, it is hoped, an Elephant, kindly procured for the 

 Society by Sir Charles Trevelyan, K.C.B., and 

 shortly expected to arrive in this country ; and this, it 

 was found, could most economically and effectually be 

 done by altering, and at the same time re-roofing, the 

 Albert tower, originally built for a Giraffe. 



