7 
These figures are valuable as showing, beyond a doubt, the 
capacity of the society, under even exceptionally depressing 
circumstances, to maintain itself and to warrant every hope 
of further development. To remove, however, the fortunes 
of the society from the somewhat precarious condition which 
must always attend a support, based entirely on receipts from 
admissions, it is the desire of the Board to establish a permanent 
fund, which shall be securely invested, and the interest of 
which, alone shall be applied to the wants of the society. The 
Zoological Garden of London, derives a large part of its 
revenue from interest on bequests and legacies, and it is 
believed that, the attention of those having the means 
being directed in this channel, many intending testators will 
find this society a proper recipient of their bounty. To this 
end, the Board has recommended to the members the passage 
of a resolution, establishing all bequests and devises to the 
society, as a trust fund, of which the interest only (unless other- 
wise directed by the donor), shall be used. During the past 
year, Mr. John L. Neill has left the society a handsome legacy, 
which will come into its possession at the death of a life tenant. 
The necessity of the erection of such a fund, is more appar- 
ent in view of the repeated attempts on the part of a small 
section of this community to close the garden on Sundays. 
The experience of the Board has convinced them, that the 
passage of any law preventing the society from receiving pay 
on Sunday, would result not merely in the closing of it on 
that day, but in its complete destruction. In the absence of any 
state or municipal subvention, which cannot be expected, and 
of any permanent endowment, which it will take many years 
to build up, the garden and collection of the society cannot 
be maintained without the monies obtained on Sundays, 
which, in the past year amounted to 42^ per cent, of the 
whole receipts. If the citizens of Philadelphia wish to re- 
tain, what is believed to be the very great benefits of this in- 
stitution, every attempt of this nature must be so met, that 
the Legislature cannot be mistaken in ascertaining what are, 
without doubt, the opinions of the large majority of this com- 
munity. 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
During the past year the Board have been unable to lay 
out and improve any larger area of the garden ; and they 
have confined themselves to keeping iu good repair, the 
