The living age Volume 188

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 Excerpt: ...by death, the society are ever on the watch to recruit their forces; and in this matter they are, as will be seen, handsomely supported by the public. In 1887 there were 1,135 new animals added to the collection, of which 600 were presented, and 135 were deposited, deposits usually resulting in presentation; 138 animals were bred in the Gardens, and 86 were obtained in exchange; whilst the remainder (176) were purchased. It is rather a ticklish business to buy new wild animals. The professional dealers are compelled to ask large prices for their own protection, as they sometimes suffer heavy losses from the deaths of the rarer animals, which they must either buy on the spot, or miss their chance of the bargain. In the year 1887, the society spent g6il. on-the cost and carriage of the 176 new animals which they bought. The young gorilla was purchased cheaply for 150?., but it was in doubtful health, and the vendor was probably glad to get rid of it. An aye-aye, a very rare animal from Madagascar, was bought for only lo/. The total value of the animals living in the menagerie is estimated at 26,ooo/. in round numbers. This is only a rough estimate, for, as the superintendent who made it remarks, the value of each animal may change, according to its age and health, and other conditions. The estimate was made on the contents of each house, and is altogether very moderate. For instance, the inhabitants of the elephant-house are set down at 8,ooo/., whereas one of the rhinoceroses was bought for i,25o/., and the others are scarcely of less value. In America twenty thousand dollars were paid, not long ago, for a rhinoceros; and it will be remembered that Mr. Barnum paid 2,ooo/. for the elephant Jumbo. A Fisk's snake, which is new to science, and a new narrow-heade...