8 
LOAN. 
Since the last report there has been subscribed to the loan 
of the Society, $127,675, making together with the Cope 
subscription, the funded indebtedness of the Society, on 
March 1st, 1876, $243,511. The interest on the Cope 
subscription, due September 1st, 1875, amounting to $785.48, 
and also that coming due September, 1876, has been given by 
the Trustees to the Society, and has been appropriated towards 
the construction of tanks for Sea Lions. The Board will, most 
likely, at an earlv date, determine the amount at which the 
funded debt of the Society shall be fixed. In this event the 
amount remaining undisposed of will probably be small, and 
it will be necessary for those who desire to partake of the 
benefit of this investment to make early application therefor. 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
In the past, as will necessarily be the case for some years 
to come, heavy drains upon the resources of the Society have 
been made in erecting permanent buildings. 
The southern half of the Carnivora House has been erected, 
and the building has been entirely completed, at an addi- 
tional cost over that previouslv reported, of $23,400, making 
in all $48,400. The external iron cages for the summer use 
of the animals in this house, have been erected at a cost of 
$8,300, along the western and southern exposures ; a hand- 
some iron railing at the edge of the path, surrounds these 
cages, at a distance safe for visitors. 
A house for Elephants, Rhinoceros, &c., 195 feet long by 
55 feet broad, has been erected near the lake. It affords a 
single row of elevated enclosures, a broad walk and retiring 
rooms for spectators, and ample accommodations for hay, &c. 
is of brick, with granite base, with second story of wood, slated 
and cost, complete, $38,200. 
A Restaurant has been built near the last named house. 
It is of good dimensions, containing a principal room 60 by 30 
feet, with several bay windows opening into it, intended for 
private parties. A capacious verandah, 20 feet wide, of iron 
and stone, extends around it. Its total cost will be $15,000. 
A pond for Sea Lions and Seals has been completed near 
the Lake. Its walls are of brick, laid in cement, coped with 
flag stone. Its cost has been $3,900. 
