BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
6, Apollo Street, Bombay, 15th June, 1888. 
From the Honorary Secretary, Bombay Natural History Society ; to the ContecTor 
or Bombay, Bombay. 
Siz,—(1). Ihave been requested by the Committee of the Bombay Natural History 
Society to ask you whether the Government of Bombay would be disposed to assist 
the Society in forming a zoological collection and aquarium, by placing at its disposal 
a piece of land, free of rent and taxes, for that special purpose. ‘ 
(2). The principal reasons, which have induced the Committee to make the above 
request, are the following :— 
I. The number of valuable and interesting specimens which are constantly being 
offered to the Society by its members from all parts of the country, but which owing 
to want of accommodation, the Committee are unable to accept. 
II. The great interest which the inhabitants of this country take in such collec- 
tions, and the importance of imparting a more accurate knowledge regarding the 
fauna of India and adjacent countries, regarding which the ignorance of the people 
is So great. 
III. The desire on the part of the Committee of this Society to facilitate and 
promote scientific investigation regarding the habits of tropical animals, birds, and 
fishes, kept under fayourable conditions for observation. 
TV. The importance of increasing and improving the supply of fish (both fresh 
and salt water) and other important articles of food. 
Vv. The necessity of encouraging the acclimatization and domestication of various 
birds and animals, and the importance of improving the indigenous breeds of 
eattle and farm-stock in this country. 
3. The few specimens of animals at present kept at the Victoria Gardens, 
Byculla, are not in a satisfactory condition, but in the opinion of the Committee the 
Municipality cannot be expected to incur any considerable expenditure in maintaining 
a zoological collection at the cost of the ratepayers. 
4. The Bombay Natural History Society, although it was started only in 1883, 
is a flourishing and growing institution, with 420 members, and the Committee are 
confident that if Government will grant them:a suitable site, they will be able, in a 
few years time, to form a zoological collection which, besides being a credit to the 
City, will become an important educational factor amongst the more intelligent part 
of the native community. 
5. The Committee count on the support of the Municipality of Bombay in carrying 
out its project, and would be prepared, in return, to enter into an agreement for the 
benefit of the poorer ratepayers, never to charge more than one anna entrance fee 
for adults, and half-an-anna for children on all recognised public native holidays, 
(6). The site which, in the opinion of the Committee, is the best suited for the 
purpose of a zoological garden and aquarium, is the Chowpatty cliff, extending from 
the footpath leading up the hill, on the right (formed by the main water pipe) to the 
Siri Road on the left, including the vacant land at the foot of the hill. This land 
appears to be of little value for building purposes, but owing to its being protected 
from the strong sea winds, and beiug at the same time close to Back Bay, it possesses 
particular advantages for a zoological collection and for the erection of fresh and 
salt water aquaria, which the Committee consider to be of so much importance. 
