19 
The force of employees has been considerably lessened in 
numbers, without seriously impairing its efficiency, and the sala- 
ries of those remaining have, without exception, been reduced. 
One of the principal items of the expense account has 
recently been diminifhed nearly eighty percent, in amount, by 
the use of horse meat in feeding the carnivorous animals. 
The horses used, are purchased at very low prices, are slaugh- 
tered at the Garden, and the skin, bones and other refuse 
being disposed of by sale, the cost of meat appears to have 
been brought to the lowest possible figure. The change 
seems also to be beneficial in its results upon the animals — 
the effect of feeding them on meat freshly killed and full of 
blood, being excellent. 
These measures of saving, with the moving of the actuary's 
office from Walnut Place to the Garden — a change attended 
with very little inconvenience to the business of the Society, 
have brought the daily cost of maintaining the Garden on 
its present basis down to about $80. 
On reviewing these facts, it will appear, that notwithstand- 
ing the necessity which has existed for economy, there is reason 
for the Society to congratulate itself upon the year through 
which it has just passed. The collection of animals is varied 
in character, and affords types of almost all orders of the 
four higher classes of Vertebrates ; — the estimated loss for the 
year is about four percent, on the value of the animals, a rate 
much lower than that of previous years, and which is be- 
lieved to be as small a percentage of loss as has ever occurred 
in a garden of its character; and at the present time — the 
most trying season of the year — the collection is in a condition 
of health and vigor which it would be difficult to surpass. 
This result should be in part attributed to the extremely 
favorable mildness of all seasons of the year, but in greater 
measure, is due to the interest and fidelity which the employees 
of the Society have manifested in carrying out those measures 
which have been put in operation for its government. 
I submit, with my report, a list of all animals which have 
been presented, purchased or born in the Garden during the 
year. 
Respectfully, 
ARTHUR E. BROWN, 
Superintendent. 
Zoological Garden, March 1st, 1878. 
