Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/270

238 number of important deaths has been rather larger than usual. No fewer thau six anthropoid Apes have died, viz. a Chimpanzee, two Orangs, and three Hoolock Gibbons. Among the larger Carnivora there have been also some losses. A young Tiger, two Cheetahs, two young Lions, and the Snow Leopard are among the most important of these. As an instance of longevity in confinement may be mentioned the Amphiuma, which was acquired in 1870, having thus lived twenty-seven years in the Gardens. A Reticulated Python, which was supposed to be the largest ever exhibited, had been at the time of its death twenty years in the Gardens. Two Burchell's Zebras, mother and foal, a White-bellied Pangolin, an Apteryx, and a Hyrax complete the list of the more noteworthy deaths during the year.

The number of animals belonging to the first three classes of Vertebrates living in the Society's Menagerie at the close of 1897 was 2585, consisting of 792 mammals, 1362 birds, and 431 reptiles; The corresponding number on Dec. 31st, 1896, was 2473. The total number of registered additions to the Menagerie in 1897 was 1508, of which 688 were acquired by presentation, 278 by purchase, 104 were bred in the gardens, 330 were received on deposit, and 108 obtained in exchange. The total number of visitors to the Society's Gardens in 1897 was 717,755, showing an increase of 52,751 as compared with the corresponding number in 1896. The Diamond Jubilee, as well as the fine weather, no doubt combined to contribute to this result. No such large number of visitors has entered the Society '8 gates since the year 1884.

The quantity and nature of the food required for the animals in the Society's Gardens are shown by the subjoined table:—