Irish Societies. 
73 
IRISH SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
January 28. — Annual General Meeting was held at Leinster House, 
Sir C. Ball (President) in the Chair. The Secretary (Prof. Carpenter) 
submitted the Annual Report and moved its adoption. 
Tlie statistics of attendance of Members and Visitors at the Zoological 
Gardens during 1913 (162,618) show a rather considerable decrease when 
compared with those of 1912 (185,265). The decrease of £i'H g^te 
money, as compared with 1912, is more than counterbalanced by the 
increase of £i?>o in Members' entrance fees and subscriptions. The falling 
off in the numbers of visitors was due to the labour troubles in Dublin 
and the partial dislocation of the tramway service during August — usually 
one of the most profitable months in the year. The large influx of new 
members during 191 3 justifies abundantly the Council's action a year 
ago in proposing an extension of the members' privileges. It is especially 
gratifying to record the election of twenty five new Life Members, twice 
as many as joined the Society during 1912. 
With the deepest regret will members of the Society miss one most 
distinguished name from the list of Past Presidents, for in November, 
1913, Sir Robert S. Ball, F.R.S. died. Like his father and brothers, he 
took for many years a great interest in the Society, serving on its Council 
from 1874 till 1902, and holding the position of President from 1901 until 
he resigned the Royal Astronomership of Ireland to become Lowndean 
Professor at Cambridge in the next year. His love for the Royal Zoological 
Society and his interest in its welfare and progress were true and sustained ; 
whenever he revisited Dublin he was a welcome attendant at the Council, 
whose members all realise that in his passing hence another link is severed 
with the group of great Victorian men of science who worked hard and 
faithfully for the Society. 
The year 191 3 has also brought a much felt loss to the Society in the 
death of Patrick Supple, the faithful and devoted keeper of the Monkey 
House, who had worked in the Zoological Gardens for more than fifty 
years. The unwearying care which he bestowed on the creatures under 
his charge were known to all, and he leaves a memory of willing and 
efficient service which the Council warmly appreciate. It is interesting 
to note that he came into the Gardens as a boy helping his father, and 
that he is now succeeded by his son, John Supple, whom he had himself 
trained as his assistant. 
The Hon. Walter Rothschild's great Chimpanzee, " Tom," continues 
in excellent health, and his temper shows some improvement since he 
first became an inmate of the Monkey House. Two smaller Chimpanzees 
were purchased during the year ; the male, unfortunately, died in 
December, but the female is still lively and well. A very attractive pair 
of Orang-utans were also bought ; both remained well and cheerful for 
the greater part of the year, but in the last week of December the female 
died. These losses are much regretted by the Council, as is also the death 
