92 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



died, eo as to prevent the rats from destroying his skin. On Monday, 1 1th 

 instant, the lion appeared to be fast declining. Professor Haughton 

 visited the Gardens at three p. m., and pronounced him to be dying; his 

 breathing was 33 per minute. At twelve p. m. I visited him, and found 

 him groaning, and rapidly approaching his end. I then retired to rest, 

 and was apprised by Keeper Rice of his death at about five o'clock on 

 Tuesday morning. His position at death was reclining against the rails 

 of his den, with his tongue between his teeth. Trusting, Sir, the 

 council will deem my report satisfactory, I am, Sir, your obedient 

 servant, 



" "William Batho, 

 " Superintendent Royal Zoological Gardens. 



" R. J. Montgomery, Esq." 



" Zoological Gardens, Sunday, one P. M., 

 " January 10, 1864. 



" My dear Montgomery — I have seen the lion, and heard Mr. 

 Batho's report of him. He got the broth and whiskey, as ordered, 

 every three hours up to three o'clock in the morning, when he refused 

 to allow it to be given. I would not, therefore press him to take more, 

 unless Dr. Templeton thinks he ought to get it at night. His respiration 

 is 47 per minute, and very laboured, and has become worse since he refused 

 the broth-punch. — Yours faithfully, 



" Samuel Haughton. 



" To Robert. J. Montgomery, Esq." 



" Sunday, three p. m. 

 "I approve of the above suggestions; have recommended his being 

 tried at intervals, but not to plague him by useless attempts; to be watched 

 closely, so that he be not left without water up to the last. 



" R. Templeton, Deputy-Inspector- General, M.C." 



The post-mortem examination confirmed the opinion formed of the 

 lion's illness during his life, and furnished, by the discovery of rheumatic 

 arthritis of long standing of the right shoulder joint, additional proof of 

 the injurious effects of our damp climate, combined with want of exercise 

 and of sunlight. The Hon was in good condition, in fact, rather too fat ; 

 and the only anatomical trace left behind by the fatal disease that de- 

 stroyed his life was a small circumscribed patch of consolidation in the 

 right lung. 



Since the visit of the Channel Fleet last summer, Dublin has been pro- 

 nounced by good judges to be the shabbiest city in Europe; and the lion 

 and the ostrich who have now left their bones with us may complain as 

 justly as the officers and men of the Fleet of the want of public spirit in our 

 city, which suffers our fine Zoological Gardens to languish for want of 

 funds. Enthusiastic members of the Zoological Society have often claimed 

 for themselves the possession of great public spirit, in opening the Gardens 

 on Sunday, at the rate of one penny, to the public at large ; but the truth 

 is, that our Gardens would long ago have been closed, if it had not been 



