16 
procured at the San Miguel Islands, off the coast of lower 
California, and arrived at the garden on the 15th of August. 
They were six in number. One of them has since died, but 
the remainder have become acclimated with little difficulty, 
owing to the mildness of the winter, and are growing rapidly. 
In the shipment of Seals which came from San Francisco at 
this time, was a large female of the Morthern Sea Lion [Eu- 
metopias stetteri), which was on exhibition at the oarden for 
some days. Had it been in iiood health, the animal would 
have been added permanently to the collection, but it appeared 
to be out of condition when received, and in fact, died before 
it was removed. 
Two of the curious Lizards known as the Glass Snake 
{Opheosaurus ventralis), from Florida, and a pair of Gopher 
Tortoises (Testudo Carolina), from South Carolina, were pre- 
sented to the Society, and a beautiful pair of Grey Parrots 
(Psittacus erythacus)^ from the west coast of Africa, were pur- 
chased during the month. 
In September a large variety of Lizards and Serpents from 
the South-eastern and Gulf States were received, among which 
was a specimen of the richly colored and beautiful Rainbow 
Snake [Ahastoi' ei^ythrogrammus). 
Thirty-one young serpents were bred in the garden from 
a female of the common Water Snake of the Middle States, 
(Tropidonotus sipedon). By dint of careful attention and 
great care in feeding, half a dozen of these have been kept 
alive to the present time. 
Early in the summer of last year, a male and female of 
the Black-headed or Yemen breed of sheep, were imported 
from Arabia, by George Wm. Bond, Esquire, of Boston, 
with the intention of presenting them to the Society. A 
Jamb was born on the voyage, and the three animals were 
placed in the garden on the 8th of October. It is believed 
that these sheep crossed, several centuries ago, with the 
native sheep of Spain, and thus gave origin to the celebrated 
Merino breed. It is hoped that an opportunity may be af- 
forded to test the influence of this stock upon some of our 
common races. 
The acknowledgments of the Society are due to the Com- 
missioners of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, for the liberal gift of 
