The Humming Bird. 1 1 



VISITS TO THK 



ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS 



Of London. 



/. — The Insect House in Winter. 



One would imagine the Insect House to be, during the 

 winter months, one of the most uninteresting buildings in the 

 Gardens, and indeed, there is little activity in the world of 

 insects at that season of the year. But still, there is much 

 that is worthy of more than a passing glance to be seen in 

 the few cases which still remain on the tables, besides which 

 there are many rare and curious birds placed here on account 

 of the extra warmth which this house affords. I may here 

 state, for the information of those who have not yet had the 

 oppuntunity to visit these delightful Gardens, that the Insect 

 House is situated on the north bank of the Regent's Canal, 

 close to the North or Primrose Hill Entrance. It is a glass 

 structure, like a large greenhouse, and heated with hot-water 

 pipes, by means of which an even temperature is maintained 

 day and night. Iron troughs, filled with water, are placed 

 over the pipes, the evaporation from which produces that 

 warm, humid atmosphere so necessary to the welfare of the 

 many inhabitants of tropical climes which are to be seen here. 

 The centre tables, which now merely contain a number of 

 beautiful plants, are given up to cases of living insects during 

 the summer, shewing every stage and metamorphosis from the 

 ^%% to the perfect insect. Several fine indiarubber trees en- 

 hance the pleasing appearance which the interior of the 

 building presents^ and the cleanliness and good order, which 

 is maintained in all the houses in the Gardens, is reached to 

 perfection here. One thing, which often excites the wonder 

 of those who visit the Insect House for the first time, is that 

 the legs of all the tables are placed in small bowls of water. 

 This is to prevent the cases being invaded by a small species 

 of red ant, with which the house is infested, and which would 

 quickly destroy the inmates were they able to effect an 

 entrance. 



The cases which contain the insects are not unlike square 

 fern-cases, the front, back, and sides being of glass, and the 

 top of perforated zinc, thus affording plenty of light and air 

 to the occupants. On entering the house, and turning to the 



