MENAGERIES. 9 



The gardens are constantly receiving presents of specimens, some 

 of them being very fine, but the rare animals have generally to be 

 purchased, and some of them are expensive. Thus we learn that a 

 rhinoceros cost 1250Z. ; three giraffes cost altogether nearly 2400L ; 

 an elephant and calf have been bought for 500L The first hippo- 

 potamus, which was such an attraction in 1851, although a gift, 

 cost nearly lOOOL for transport. Lions and tigers have cost the 

 society between 150Z. and 200Z. a piece, but are now cheaper. Some 

 birds are very expensive, viz. a pair of black-necked swans cost 

 SOI. ; and rare pigeons or ducks may cost anywhere, be- 

 tween 51. and 261. each. When the Knowsley collection of 

 birds was sold in 1851, the society invested nearly lOOOZ. in 

 purchases. Prices are by no means steady, even in the animal 

 market, and appear to fluctuate considerably ; presumably, like 

 everything else, the supply and demand regulating it. The 

 ignorance of prices and values is frequently exemplified, and we 

 hear of a sea-captain asking 6001. for a pair of pythons, that he 

 was glad ultimately to get rid of at 401. An American once 

 thought he had struck oil when he offered the society a grizzly 

 bear for 2000Z., they to pay, in addition, the carriage across the 

 Atlantic. More ridiculous still was an offer they had of a mori- 

 bund walrus which, for over two months, had been fed on salt 

 pork and meal, for the small sum of 700Z. ! These are, of course, 

 absurd prices, but the cost does not deter the society from obtain- 

 ning favourable specimens of any animals required to keep their 

 collection complete and unique in its perfection. It is therefore 

 now a matter of congratulation that we live iu an age when the 

 wild beasts of the forest and the fowls of the air are not caught 

 to furnish enjoyment by the sight of their destruction in savage 

 conflict, tending to arouse the worst passions of our nature, but 

 are made captive, so that they can be studied, the wonders of their 

 structure learnt, the beauty of their forms admired, and food for 

 the mind being supphed us by the contemplation of their exquisite 

 perfection and adaptation of their powers for the due fulfilment 

 of their part in the economy of creation. 



