20 THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF EUROPE 



employed in summer to carry messages. The top of 

 the tower is furnished with a meteorological apparatus, 

 which records on registering cylinders (placed at the 

 bottom of the tower) the state of the atmosphere. 

 This apparatus constitutes a veritable observatory in 

 itself In it there is a barometer, a thermometer, a 

 rain-gauge, a wind-gauge, a hygrometer, and several 

 other instruments. 



The kangaroo house next engages our attention, 

 where are to be found examples of the red kangaroo, 

 Bennet's Wallaby, etc. Many breed here. The en- 

 closures which surround the kangaroos contain many 

 species of deer. There is the deer from the Moluccas, 

 sika deer from Japan, the axis deer from India, etc. 

 Close by are coach-houses and stables capable of 

 holding ninety horses. These recently erected build- 

 ings, together with the old stables, can now hold 

 250 horses, which form a very complete collection. 

 Here are to be seen also an interesting series of ponies 

 from Java, Siam, Cochin China, Shetland, Ireland, 

 Russia, Corsica, Navarre, Finland, etc. There are also 

 many mules. 



At the end of the stables is a riding-school for the 

 breaking-in of horses and the teaching of riding. In 

 1874 a special riding - school was inaugurated for 

 children, their mounts being all little ponies. Close 

 to the stables is a gymnasium, with horizontal bars, 

 trapeze, ropes, etc., which is for the free use of children, 

 who amuse themselves in it whilst they wait their 

 turn to ride the elephants and camels. The charge 

 for a camel or dromedary ride is 50 centimes; elephant 

 ride, 25 centimes ; ostrich-cart, 50 centimes ; donkey- 



