ON DEATHS IN THE GARDENS DURING 1911. 235 



developing in one half of the uterus while the other lay dormant 

 or developed more slowly in the other half during the motiths 

 necessary to account for the delay in birth ? 



Male No. 22 is still living, and is a typical Macropas rii/as. 



PAPERS. 



IG. Report on the Deaths which occurred in the Zoolooical 

 Gardens daring 1911. By H. G. Plimmek, F.U.S., 

 F.Z.S., Patholooi.st to the Society. 



[lieceived February 3, 1912 : Head February 6, 1912.] 



On January 1st, 1911, the number of animals in the Zoological 

 Gardens was 3184, and during the year 3493 animals were 

 admitted, making a total of 6677 for the year. 



The luumber of deaths during the year has been 1647 — that is, 

 a death-rate of 24*6 per cent. ; but if from the above total we 

 deduct 801 animals which did not live for six months after their 

 arrival in the Gardens — that is, the time at which we find they 

 have either got over their journeys, oi- died from any disease 

 they brought with them, or have got fairly used to their new 

 environment — the percentage of deaths is reduced to 12"6, which 

 is considerably less than those of the past three years. 



Tlie following figures will show the general results of the last 

 four years : — 



1908. 1909. 1910. 1911. 



Total number of animals 5608 5303 5540 6677 



Total deaths 1737 1492 1554 1647 



Percentage of total deaths 31 28 28 24-6 



Percentage of deaths, excluding 



those which occurred in animals 



which had not been six months 



in the Gardens 17 17-8 16-4 12-6 



In any case the figures for 1911 show a considerable im- 

 provemeiit on those of the last three years, and if the relative 

 numbers be borne in mind, the improvement is nuich more 

 marked. 



The total deaths are divided as follows : Mammals 359, Birds 

 849, Reptiles 439. 



The following tables show the facts ascertained in outline. 

 Table I. sets forth the actual causes of death in each of the three 

 groups specified. Under Reptiles are included Amphibia. 



