1 86 THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF EUROPE 



Park Canal, connecting the new grounds on its north 

 bank with the southern gardens. Two hippopotami 

 were born, one of which, however, died ; the other, 

 reared by its dam, is still alive in the Gardens. 



On October 2, 1874, an explosion took place in a 

 boat loaded with gunpowder on the canal near the 

 Gardens, causing great damage to some of the aviaries 

 and other buildings. 



In February, 1876, the new lion house was finished, 

 and the animals transferred to it without accident. 

 The new building was 228 feet long, and contained 

 fourteen dens, each of which could accommodate a pair 

 of animals. To each den there were two inside com- 

 partments or sleeping dens. At the back of the build- 

 ing were day-rooms and sleeping-rooms for the keepers. 

 The great event of the year was the arrival and deposit 

 of the Prince of Wales's collection from India, in charge 

 of Mr. Clarence Bartlett, the assistant superintendent. 

 This collection of sixty-five animals and eighty-six 

 birds included, amongst others, five tigers, seven 

 leopards, two bears, four Indian elephants, eight 

 Indian antelopes, two zebus, seven deer, pigeons, 

 partridges, francolins, pheasants, and ostriches. This 

 great attraction raised the income of the Society in 

 1876 to £34,955, the admissions to the Gardens being 

 915,764. 



In 1877 the large summer cages outside tlie lion 

 house were finished and opened. The animals were 

 able to take air and exercise in them, and the visitors 

 had much greater facilities for seeing them. 



In 1878 a young male hippopotamus was })urchased 

 for £800. 



