of which there are three fine specimens.
18. Fountain, &c. for _Water Fowl_.
19. Enclosure for _Zebras, Indian Cows, &c_.
20. Houses on poles for _Monkeys_.
[Illustration]
These are distributed beside the walks. The monkey is attached by a
chain to a ring loosely round the pole, by which means he ascends and
descends at pleasure.
21. Intended Aviary, (supposed for _Eagles, Vultures_, &c.).
22. Twenty acres about to be added.
23. House for _Monkeys, &c_.
Here are double rows of cages, containing a fine South American ocelot,
a lynx, a puma, coatamondis, an ichneumon, and several monkeys; the last
affording an excellent opportunity of appreciating the fidelity of Mr.
Landseer's _Monkeyana,_ and illustrating the vraisemblance of men and
monkeys.
24. Intended Aviary.
25. Mexican _Hogs,_ &c.
26. Huts for _Jackalls,_ &c.
27. Unfinished Houses.
The carriage-road is formed of the outer side of the Park.
There is likewise an enclosure for _Tortoises_, of which there are three
large and several small ones. We saw one of them devouring pumpkin as a
gourmand would turtle, and this voracity is by weather-wise people
considered as a sure indication of rain. This turtle is believed to be
very old; he is of stupendous size, but buried as he was (except his
neck) with shell, he soon became aware of the approach of his companion,
nearly as large, and accordingly ate with increased greediness. Among
the birds, too, should be mentioned several beautiful varieties of
pheasants, partridges, &c. which are well worth the attention of the
visiter.
We have probably passed over many animals, our object being merely to
mention a few of the most interesting for their habits and
peculiarities. Of course the collection is as yet incomplete, there
being neither lion, tiger, hyaena, elephant, nor rhinoceros; but when it
is considered that the Society has been established little more than two
years, in which time a Museum has been formed, and 1,100 subscribers
obtained, besides the arrangement of the Gardens--it will be
acknowledged that much has been done in a short time, and judging from
the excellent organization of the Society and their past success, we
anticipate the utmost realization of their plan.
Our readers need not be told that the Zoological Society is partly on
the plan of the Museum of Natural History at Paris, except that the
latter is supported by the Government, the Gardens are indiscriminately
opened to the public, free of cost, and the Museum on stated days; and
when we add that the names of Fagon, Duverney, Tournefort, Vaillant, De
Jussieu, Buffon, Daubenton, Fourcroy, Desfontaines, De Lamarck, and
Cuvier, occur in its list of professors, they will not be surprised at
the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle being the richest of its kind in the
world.
* * * * *
As acceptable information, we subjoin the regulations for the admission
of members and visiters to the Gardens in the Regent's Park, and the
_Museum_, in Bruton-street; to the latter we shall allude at an early
opportunity:--
Every member shall have personal admission to the gardens and museum,
with two companions. If accompanied by more than two, he shall pay one
shilling for each extra person.
A member, on payment of one guinea annually, may obtain an ivory ticket,
which will admit one named person with a companion to both
establishments; or a transferable ivory ticket which will admit one
person. He may obtain two or more such tickets at the same rate.
Any member who may find it inconvenient to attend personally at the
gardens or museum, may, upon application to the council, have his
privileges transferred, within the present year, to any individual of
his family, whom he may name.
Every member will be expected to give his name on entering the gardens
and museum.
The gardens will be open to members from eight o'clock, A.M.; but they
will be in complete readiness for the reception of visiters only from
ten o'clock to sunset. The museum will be open from ten o'clock to six.
* * * * *