9 
adequate, and whicli at the best furnishes a basis of exist- 
ence so uncertain as to mean in most cases only a process 
of gradual decay, to whicli prompt and sudden dissolution 
is to be preferred. 
As the whole of the admission receipts are employed in 
the maintenance of the Gardens, the small additional sums 
contributed by the city to make up the yearly deficit, may 
perhaps be regarded as the cheapest and most effective 
means of preserving to Philadelphia one of its public in- 
stitutions whose local popularity is undoubtedly great; 
whose reputation extends through the whole country, and 
which belongs to a class, by the consent of all nations, 
filling a necessary place among the educational and divert- 
ing influences of human society. 
The Gardens. 
On the 1st of March the specimens living in the collec- 
tion numbered 292 mammals, 426 birds, 225 reptiles, and 
37 batrachians ; a total of 980 animals. 
The accessions from all sources during the year were as 
follows : — 
Mammals : — 
Purchased 102 
Presented 40 
Bred in the Gardens 24 
166 
Birds : — 
Purchased 119 
Presented 48 
Bred in the Gardens 1 
168 
Reptiles and Batrachians : — 
Purchased 222 
Presented 72 
— 294 
— 628 
As is customary in this report, some of the most inter- 
esting specimens received will be briefly noticed. 
On March 9th a raccoon-like dog {Canis procyonoides), 
from northeastern Asia, was purchased, being the second 
