CHAPTER XXXII 



ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, BASLE : DIEECTOK, DE. HAGMAN 



In October, 1870, when the Basle Ornithological 

 Society was founded, the institution of a Zoological 

 Garden was taken into consideration. In January, 

 1873, an initiatory committee was called together to 

 found one. The call quickly found numerous friends. 

 On February 20, 1873, a Society was formed for the 

 purpose, among others, of founding a Zoological 

 Garden. In May of the same year the work was 

 taken in hand. The first animals' house, the 

 restaurant, and the Director's dwelling were built by 

 local architects, and grounds were laid out. On 

 July 3, 1874, the opening of the Garden took place. 

 Like all similar institutions, in the first year of its 

 existence the Garden had to contend with financial 

 difiiculties, and in 1876 the liberality of the whole of 

 the inhabitants of the town was required to keep it 

 going. All the many patrons and friends who from 

 that time gave the Garden their generous support 

 earned the warmest gratitude. 



The site of the Garden was the property of the 

 public infirmary, and it was leased to the Society 

 until 1891, when it was acquired by the State. By 

 a grant made on September 5, 1891, this ground 



