296 Proposal to form a Zoological Garden in Calcutta. 



expensive buildings, stoves &c. for keeping up the tempera- 

 ture to that which the animals were accustomed to in their 

 native climates. 



In Calcutta the expense of a Zoological Garden would be 

 comparatively small, as trees would afford nearly the whole 

 of the requisite shelter. 



India abounds in wild animals, which from the nature of 

 their haunts in the depths of the forests, as well as from that 

 of the climate, few persons can ever hope to become ac- 

 quainted with, unless they are collected into a Zoological 

 Garden. So numerous are the native animals of India, that 

 it would be unnecessary to resort to foreign countries for 

 materials to form a most attractive collection. Thus another 

 great source of expense and difficulty attending such collec- 

 tions in other countries would be avoided here; while the 

 interest and value of the Garden would be enhanced by the 

 exhibition it would afford, of the unknown animals of the 

 country. 



The Zoological Society of London, and similar Societies 

 in other places throughout Europe and America, would no 

 doubt be more or less interested in the success of the pro- 

 posed establishment, and do their utmost to contribute to- 

 wards its success. 



But whatever the interest and importance of such an 

 establishment might be likely to prove in a scientific point 

 of view, its success would mainly depend on its being made 

 a place of recreation, and general amusement to the people 

 of Calcutta. 



Mr. Raleigh, who has the merit of being the first to pro- 

 pose this excellent establishment, suggests, that 150,000 

 rupees should be raised in 500 shares of 250 rupees each, 

 leaving it open to persons who do not wish to become share- 

 holders, to subscribe such sums as they may think proper. 



This, however, would be open to the objection of placing 

 what would no doubt soon become a popular institution, in 



