x Proceedings of the South African Philosophical Society. 
to confer on the subject with Dr. Gunning, the Director of the State 
Museum at Pretoria, when he was here a few days ago. Cape Town 
seemed to Mr. Sclater to offer many advantages for the establish- 
ment of an efficiently directed Zoological Garden. It-was a most 
delightful place of residence, the climate was all that could be 
desired, and the facilities of communication with other parts of the 
world were beyond comparison, taking geographical conditions into 
account. They all knew better than he could tell them that the 
energies and forces of civilisation had practically driven the large 
game of South Africa into the wilds. They could not see an ant- 
bear, nor feast their eyes upon a lion in its native lair. They had to 
visit that excellent institution, the South African Museum, in order 
to view them, beautifully stuffed, and enclosed in glass cases. But 
surely a live lion was a better creature to look at than a dead one! 
It was a curious fact that of all the different species of antelopes 110 
or 120 belonged to Africa, but they were all being gradually 
destroyed as civilisation advanced; and it ought to be one of the 
privileges of Cape Town to show to its own population and to 
visitors, living specimens of the graceful animals which in years gone 
by used to roam freely over the valleys, plains, and slopes of South 
Africa in their thousands. 
Mr. Sclater admitted that the most difficult part of his subject 
was the solution of the problem—how to establish in this city a 
Zoological Garden under the most practical economic conditions. 
But after discussing various plans, he was disposed to recommend 
the formation of a Cape Zoological Society, the subscriptions of 
members to go towards forming the nucleus of a fund for its estab- 
lishment. - He expressed a hope that not only the Government, 
when funds were available, but the City Corporation would contri- 
bute towards the encouragement of so deserving an institution, and 
he suggested that, by way of a beginning, the vacant ground at the 
back of the Museum might be set apart for the initiatory ‘“ cradle- 
space’ of a Zoological Garden. 
A discussion followed Mr. Sclater’s address, and opinions were 
expressed by several members as to the relative desirability of a 
Zoological Garden in or near Cape Town, or a large reserve area 
being shut off to allow native animals being preserved. A proposal 
had formerly been made that the peninsula south of Simon’s Town 
should be so utilised. Dr. EH. B. FunuerR gave notice that he would 
move at next meeting ‘‘ That the Council of the Society be instructed 
to take up the question of the founding of a Zoological Garden in 
Cape Town.” 
Dr. Muir proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Sclater for his inte- 
resting and stimulating address, 
