I02O. 



Irish Societies. 



In XJavch Dr. I'cnar was dcniohilizcd from the Koyal Army Medical 

 Corps. 'The Council are pleased that while acting as Superintendent he 

 was able to give for a long period valued service to the R.A.M.C. at King 

 C.eorge V. Hospital. 



T*rofessor Scott has kindly acted on several occasions f(jr the lion. 

 Secrctarv during his temporary absence ; and both he and Professor 

 James Craig have supplied the Council with most useful reports of posl- 

 Hiortem examinations on animals whicli from time to time have (hed 

 in the Gardens. 



After a long and careful consideratum, the Council feel that in the 

 interest of the animals and of the Society the admission to the (iardens 

 on Sundays sliould be raised from }^d. to j^d. for adults, and from id. to 

 id. for cliildren in charge of their parents or guardians. Further, owing 

 to the great difficulties of el'licient supervision, and of preventing teasing 

 of the animals, it has been ordered that children not in cliarge of parent.*; 

 or guardians are to pay \d. for admission on Sundays. 



The Council has felt that the greatest need was to put all the existing 

 buildings and enclosures into proper repair. The difficulties in ol">taining 

 building materials and the cost of labour excluded all tliought of erecting 

 new structures. The .Monkey House has been repaired, and provided 

 with a new and economical heating apparatus, also with a porch for the 

 north dpor. The roof and inside of the Aquarium has been repaired 

 and painted. The stairs and woodwork of the balconies of the Haughton 

 House have been repaired, and t\\2 enclosures for marsupials put in order, 

 A ^Members' Lavatory has been provided. Part of the cost of the work 

 on the Haughton House has been defrayed by the legacy left for the pur- 

 pose by the late W. E. Peebles, President of the Society. The roof of the 

 Aviary is in process of reconstruction, and a plan for the improvement 

 of the enclosure for bears, near the main walk, has been approved, and will 

 be put in hands as soon as possible. The Public Lavatory has been recon- 

 structed, and the bridge between the lakes replaced by a new structure. 



The difficulties of transport and the high cost of food stuffs have 

 prevented the Council purchasing any of the larger mammals during the 

 year. It is hoped that with increased shipping facilities it may be possible 

 in the near future to obtain specimens to fill many of the gaps in the collec- 

 tion ; and the Council is actively seeking opportunities for the purchase 

 and importation of several representative types. 



The Monkey House stock has been well maintained, and a most 

 attractive and interesting chimpanzee, " Fanny," was purchased in 

 September last. She is believed to be about four years old, and is amaz- 

 ingly activ^e. A very beautiful pair of Douroucoli have been deposited in 

 the (iardens by Captain Henderson, and are still with us. These 

 visitors from South America have attracted considerable attention, their 

 peculiar short round faces and large eyes giving them a very striking appear- 

 ance. Although largely nocturnal in their habits, they can usually be 

 seen moving actively in their cage even in the day. 



A pair of Pandas were also purchased during the year. They are 

 the first specimens of tiie kind that liave been exhibited in Dublin. TJieir 

 bright colcniring and their active and graceful movements mal<e them 



