228 WILD ANIMALS. 



very -well, and the breed has been perpetuated ever since. The 

 Society has sold several of the young ones, which are now 

 scattered over various parts of the world. Some new blood was 

 imported in 1850, but since then all the Zoological Society's 

 giraffes have been of their own breeding. 



In 1866 a sad accident happened to the animals that were 

 then in the gardens. On the 7th November of that year the straw 

 in their house caught fire through some unexplained cause, but 

 supposed to have been due to a match being mixed with the 

 litter under their feet, and ignited by one of the animals treading 

 upon it. Two of the beautiful creatures were suffocated or burnt 

 to death, but another two were fortunately saved by the exertions 

 of Mr, Nurce, the anatomical prosector of the Society, who 

 happened to be near the giraffe-house at the time, and was 

 able, at considerable personal risk, to get them out into the yard 

 at the back of their apartment. 



The gardens now possess three animals — father, mother, and 

 child, all good specimens of their species, which show that the 

 careful attention, airy and well- ventilated pens, and out-door life 

 in the summer sunshine suit the animals, and prevent them fi'om 

 degenerating. The average age they attain in the keeping of the 

 Society is ascertained to be sixteen years. They are fed on the 

 best hay, carrots, onions, and some lump sugar now and then by 

 way of a treat, which they seem to appreciate. They eat altogether 

 about eighteen pounds of food each a day, and drink four gallons 

 of water. 



