Zoological Society. 4283 



in collections ; and those bred by the Society are probably the first 

 which have been produced in Europe. It is gratifying to think that, 

 as they have been purchased by Lord Hastings, there is every chance 

 of their being successfully continued at Melton Constable. 



Miscellaneous. 



The house formerly occupied by parrots (No. 27 in the plan) has 

 been adapted for a class of animals for which there has hitherto been 

 no adequate provision. 



The various habits and organization of the smaller forms of Mam- 

 malia render it excessively desirable that more attention should be 

 paid to them, and the present arrangement is therefore to be taken 

 rather as a specimen of what may be done in that way, than as any- 

 thing approaching a final arrangement. The advantage of the pre- 

 sent system is well exemplified, however, by the Genets and the 

 Nandinias, presented by Captain Sotheby, R.N. Next to these 

 should be noticed Bassaris astuta, a rare and very interesting form 

 from Mexico. 



The Tayra is another American form, whose marten-like agility ren- 

 ders it always conspicuous. The Cape Hyrax, the congener of the 

 animal which is designated as the " coney " in Scripture, finds a place 

 in the same range of cages. On the opposite side will be found an 

 extremely interesting series of Caracals ; a pale and very beautiful 

 male from India, paired with a deep red female from the Gambia ; 

 and a large grayish male from Nubia. The other cages are, for the 

 present, occupied by Ocelots — a section of Felidae which has not yet 

 been thoroughly discriminated. 



The monkey-house has been subjected to a course of cleansing and 

 alteration which, in addition to increasing the accommodation, has 

 rendered it infinitely more agreeable to visitors. 



Among other additions to the collection, which the Council have in 

 prospect, the arrival of a female Hippopotamus is to be expected 

 in the beginning of summer, His Highness the Viceroy of Egypt 

 having signified his intention of presenting to the Society an animal 

 which, in accordance with his promise to the Hon. C. A. Murray, he 

 has already caused to be brought into Lower Egypt for that purpose. 



D. W. Mitchell, B.A., 



Secretary. 



