21 
The manner of their introduction is not known, but they 
have become perfectly naturalized, and are found in large 
numbers, presenting no obvious differences from the parent 
species — with this monkey came a specimen of the superb 
Imperial Amazon, from Dominica. On a former expedition 
to the island, Mr. Ober procured some skins of this rare 
species for the Smithsonian Institution, but this specimen is 
probably the first which has ever been brought alive to this 
country — it was kindly allowed by the owner to remain for 
several months at the garden. 
Early in the past winter a young female hippopotamus 
was purchased, for the collection, in New York, but as the 
risk of transportation is considerable, during the winter 
months, it has been allowed to remain there until spring 
weather arrives. 
^ A large compartment in the Elephant House has been 
fitted for its reception, and contains a tank 12x20 feet square, 
with a depth, to the water line, when full, of five feet. A 
coil of hot water pipes, inside of the tank, will maintain the 
water at such temperature as may be necessary in cold 
weather, and the general arrangement is calculated to dis- 
play the animal to the best advantage. 
The young female Orang-utan, purchased in the autumn 
of 1879, has thriven in a most satisfactory manner, and has 
increased considerably in size and weight. During the sum- 
mer, she has frequently, in the hottest part of the day, been 
given the freedom of the long row of beech trees near the 
Monkey House, and draws much attention from visitors by 
the ease and delight with which she swings from branch to 
branch. The health which this animal has universally en- 
joyed for such a comparatively long period is in striking 
contrast to the experience generally had with the higher 
apes in captivity, and may be attributed in great part to the 
freedom of movement and exercise in the open air and sun- 
shine which has been afforded her during a part of the year, 
and to the fact that the temperature of her cage is kept at a 
lower point, and consequently a freer circulation of pure air 
