12 
The whole constitution of the Society and its sources 
of maintenance are peculiar if not unique, so that com- 
parisons between its Gardens and others, are, for the 
most part, completely fallacious. Take the case of the 
. Antwerp Society. The gardens there are in the town, 
and residents become members as a matter of course: 
The Society does a large trade in animals which are im- 
ported and pass through its hands, while it derives, no 
doubt, a considerable income from its restaurants. 
Similarly it might be shown that the cases of all 
other Gardens of which we have any information, exist 
under conditions which are not present here. 
Training of the Elephants. —The necessity of obtaining 
a competent trainer to bring the Elephants under 
proper control was referred to in last year’s report, and 
accordingly the services of Captain Harrington were 
secured in June last, with the result that both animals 
have become amenable to orders, and their market 
value has been consequently very much increased, 
which may be taken as a set-off against the heavy 
cost of training. 
Ourang Outang—The Ourang has now entered on 
his fourth year of residence in the Gardens, having been 
acquired in August, 1885, and is in full health and 
vigour. - It may be of interest to add that his weight 
is now 3 stn. 4 lbs. 
During the year the Mechanical Engineers and the 
Dental Association held their annual meetings in Dublin, 
and the Council on behalf of the Society issued invita- 
tions to the members of both associations, which were 
largely availed of. 
Free admission has been granted to 3,517 children 
belonging to charity schools, while the pupils of other 
schools have been admitted on a reduced scale of 
entrance fee. 
