tOt HIST OB Y OF THE MUSEUM, 



monkies, several of which had remained in the 

 laboratory, or been preserved in cases, for want 

 of room in the cabinet. 



The building of the rotundo, which had been 

 suspended for four years, was next resumed. 

 The exterior plan was unchanged, but the inte- 

 rior was altered for the accommodation of her- 

 bivorous animals, which, like the elephant, the 

 camel, etc. , require warmth and care in the 

 winter, and while suckling their young. It was 

 finished 1812, and forms a picturesque decoration 

 to the managerie, but it is ill adapted to its pre- 

 sent use, being detached, and open on five sides, 

 so that it is impossible to maintain an equal tem- 

 perature and to prevent currents of air. It would 

 be desirable to construct a building for the her- 

 bivorous animals on the same plan with that just 

 finished for the beasts of prey, consisting of a 

 suite of stables with a southern exposure. Should 

 the government think proper to be at this ex- 

 pence, which would doubtless contribute to the 

 preservation of costly animals and to the pros- 

 perity of the establishment, the rotundo might 

 be converted into a library, for which it is pecu- 

 liarly fitted, by its form and situation : the library 

 cannot long remain where it is, as the room is 

 too confined, and is besides wanted as an addi- 

 tion to the cabinet of reptiles and fishes. 



