A record of the progress of the Zoological society of London during the ... online

Mr. W. A. Forbes.

The income of the Davis Trust Fund in 1884 was
devoted to Zoological Lectures.

The Anniversary Meeting of 1884 was held in the
large room of the new offices, No. 3, Hanover Square, and
the opinion expressed by the Council, that a wise decision
had been arrived at in making the move, was endorsed by
the Fellows present. It was stated that when the Society
had entered in 1843 on the occupation of No. 11, Hanover



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222 A Short History of the

Square, the income was £9,137; and that when that
occupancy terminated in 1883 it had more than trebled,
being £29,966.

In 1884 the Silver Medal was awarded to the Eev.
George H. E. Fisk, C.M.Z.S., in acknowledgment of
his numerous donations to the Society's Collection of
Beptiles.

The income of 1884 amounted to £29,939, and the
expenditure to £33,845. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,255. The admissions to the Gardens
were 745,460.



I885.

President : Pbof. W. H. Floweb, F.E.S.

Treasurer : Chables Dbummond, Esq.

Secretary : P. L. Sclateb, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1885 the new Sheep-yard was formed, consisting
of a circular enclosure at the farther end of the Broad
Walk, near the outer fence of the Gardens. The house
was placed in the centre and covered with rockwork, so
as to afford a run for these animals suitable to their
habits. To this a family of Burrhel Sheep (Ovis burrhel)
was transferred, and the animals appeared to enjoy their
new quarters very much. The old Eeptile-house in the
North Garden was thoroughly repaired, and converted
into a house for the smaller Carnivora.

The new species exhibited in 1885 comprised eleven
mammals, seventeen birds, twelve reptiles, three batra-
chians, and one fish. Among these mammals were the
Siamese Gibbon (Hylobates pileatus), the Pleasant Ante-
lope (Tragelaphus gratus), and the Pale Fennec Fox
• (Canis pallidas). The birds included the Brown Pelican
(Pelecanusfuscus), the Wattled Starling {Bilophus carun*
culatus), the Striated Colies (Colius striatus), the Gouldian



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Zoological Society of London. 223

Grass Finch (Poephila gouldiae), and the Black-browed
Albatross (Diomedea melanophrys).

The breeding list of 1885 contained thirty-six mammals
fifteen birds, two reptiles, and two batrachians. On
December 31st, the number of animals in the Menagerie
was 2,551.

The income of the Davis Trust Fund in 1885 was
devoted to Zoological Lectures.

•In 1885 the eleventh volume of the Society's ' Trans-
actions ' was brought to a conclusion. It contained
nineteen memoirs, amongst the authors of which were
Owen, Flower, Garrod, Parker, Forbes, and Giinther. It
contained altogether 502 pages, and was illustrated by
97 plates.

The income of 1885 amounted to £25,809, and the
expenditure to £25,084. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,193, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 659,896.



1886.

President : Prof. W. H. Flower, F.E.S.

Treasurer : Charles Drummond, Esq.

Secretary : P. L. Sclater, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1886 the Antelope-house was repaired and painted,
and the foundations were laid for the new Dog-kennels,
planned with a view to bringing most, if not all, of the
representatives of the genus Canis together in one building.

The animals exhibited for the first time in 1886 included
twelve mammals, sixteen birds, twenty-four reptiles, three
batrachians, and three fishes. Among these the ( most
important were the Bald Ouakari (Brachyurus calvus), the
Lesser Koodoo (Strepsiceros imberbis), and the Glaucous
Macaw (Ara glcmca).

The breeding list contained thirty mammals, twenty



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224 A Short History of the

birds, and three reptiles. The most important death was
that of a male Hippopotamus, born at the Amsterdam
Gardens in 1876, which had lived for nearly nine years in
the Society's Gardens, and a West African Python, which
had lived twenty-three years in captivity.

The Davis Lectures were given in the Lecture Eoom
in the Gardens.

In 1886 the Society took over from the Zoological
Eecord Association the publication of the 'Zoological
Eecord/ which contains an annual summary of the work
done by naturalists in zoological subjects all over the
world. The Society also acquired possession of the whole
of the back stock of this publication since its commence-
ment in 1864. Mr. F. E. Beddard, the Prosector, was
appointed Editor of the 'Zoological Eecord/ which has
been continued in annual volumes ever since.

In 1886 a grant of d£100 was made in aid of the
establishment of the new Laboratory of the Marine
Biological Association at Plymouth, which the Council
believed would be of great importance to the future advance
of marine zoology.

The income of 1886 amounted to £25,787, and the
expenditure to £24,568. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,146, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 639,674.



1887.

President : Prof. W. H. Flower, F.E.S.
Treasurer : Charles Drummond, Esq.
Secretary : P. L. Sclater, Esq., F:E.S.



In 1887 the new Dbg-kennels were completed and
stocked. The building consisted of a central part with
four large dens, and two wings, each with five smaller dens*



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Zoological Society of London. 225

The great Aviary for flying birds, opposite the Eastern
Aviary, was also opened this year. It is 105 ft. long and
62 ft. wide; the roof rises to a height of 27 ft. in the
centre, and is formed of galvanised wire. The object of
this Aviary was to provide a space in which the birds
might have an opportunity to use their wings, to lead a
more natural life, and to show off their habits better than
they could possibly do in ordinary aviaries. Although the
birds were not put in till June, 1887, pairs of two species
of Ibis (Garphibis strictipennis and Ibis bemieri) nested
in some of the trees and reared their young.

The animals new to the collection exhibited in 1887
comprised eight mammals, ten birds, eight reptiles, and
six batrachians. Among these were a Gorilla (Anthropo-
pithecus gorilla) purchased on October 10th, of Mr. Cross,
of Liverpool, which, however, unfortunately died within
the year.

The breeding-list of 1887 included twenty-nine
mammals, twenty-one birds, and three reptiles. The
number of animals in the Gardens on December 31st
was 2,525.

Mr. Beddard, Prosector to the Society, was appointed
Davis Lecturer in 1887, and gave a course on the Classi-
fication of Vertebrates.

In order to mark the Jubilee of Her late Majesty
Queen Victoria, which took place this year, in some
special way, it was decided to hold the General Meeting
in June in the Gardens. After the usual formal business
had been transacted, the Silver Medal awarded to the
Maharajah of Kuch-Behar was presented to His Highness
in person, and suitably acknowledged. Prof. Flower, C.B.,
President of the Society, then delivered an Address,
which was printed as an Appendix to the Council's
Beport. It dealt in general terms with the principal
points in the history of the Society from its foundation
in 1826, tracing its progress throughout. The connection
of the Boyal Family with the Society as patrons and
donors, the scientific meetings, the publications, the
Davis Lectures, the Menagerie, and the recent improve-



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226 A Short History of the

ments in the Gardens, were passed in review. The
President concluded by appealing for the continued
support of the public, either by becoming Fellows or by
visiting the Gardens, and expressed the hope that the
"brief record of the Society's history would show that
such support was not undeserved by those who have had
the management of its affairs." A reception held after
the meeting was numerously attended by the Fellows and
their friends and by many specially invited guests, among
whom were the Queen of Hawaii and Princess Lilioka-
lani, the Thakore Sahib of Limbdi, H.H. the Prince
Devawongse, and the Maharajah of Bhurtpore.

A new Catalogue of the Library was issued in 1887,
containing the titles of about 6,560 publications.

The income of 1887 amounted to £23,102, and the
expenditure to £23,135. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,104, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 562,898.



1888.

President : Prof. W. H. Flower, C.B., F.K.S*

Treasurer : Charles Drummond, Esq.

Secretary : P. L. Sclater, Esq., F.B.S.



In 1888 little was done in works at the Gardens besides
repairs and renewals. The contract with Messrs. Trotman
for the supply of refreshments in the Gardens having come
to an end, it was taken over by Spiers and Pond, Limited,
and the main refreshment building was thoroughly
painted, repaired, and redecorated. The walks near
the Camel-house and the Band Stand were altered,
and other smaller repairs were carried out.

The list of animals new to the collection in 1888 contained
the names of five mammals, eleven birds, nine reptiles,



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Zoological Society of London. 227

and five batrachians. Among the mammals the novelties
were a Samango Monkey (Cercopithecus samango) and a
Small-clawed Otter (Lutra leptonyx). The birds included
examples of the Prince of "Wales's Pheasant (Phasianus
principalis), the Spotted Hawk-Eagle {Spizaetus nipa-
lensis), fjrom Northern India, and a new Penguin (Eudyptes
sclateri). A young Chimpanzee purchased of Mr. Cross
belonged apparently to the Bald-headed species (Anthro-
popithedus calvus). As there was a Common Chimpanzee
(A. troglodytes) of about the same age in the Gardens, it
was easy to compare the two together.

In this year there occurred an irruption into Western
Europe from North-east Asia of Pallas's Sand Grouse
(Syrrhaptes paradoxus), according to Prof. Newton, "in
numbers quite incalculable." Three living specimens
of this bird — one from Berwick-on-Tweed and two from
the island of Tiree, Argyllshire, N.B., were presented
to the Society.

In the breeding list of 1888 there were recorded the
names of thirty-one species of mammals, seventeen birds,
and two reptiles. The number of animals living in the
Menagerie on December 31st was 2,290, showing a decrease
of 235 as contrasted with the corresponding period in the
previous year.

Mr. F. E. Beddard, Prosector to the Society, was
appointed Davis Lecturer for this year, and delivered a
course of ten Lectures on Eeptiles, Living and Extinct.

In 1888 Madame Comely, widow of M. J. Comely,
C.M.Z.S., of Tours, on her death bequeathed to the Society
her late husband's Zoological Library, which was received
from the executors in October. The bequest comprised
about 840 volumes, of which 256 were new to the Society's
Library. Many of the works thus acquired were rare,
and would have been difficult to obtain under ordinary
circumstances.

The income of 1888 amounted to £24,025, and the
expenditure to £22,139. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,076, and the admissions to th§
Gardens were 608,402,

b a



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228 A Short History of the



1889.

President : Prop. W. H. Floweb, C.B., F.E.S.

Treasurer : Charles Drummond, Esq.

Secretary: P. L. Sclater, Esq., F.K.S.



In 1889 additions were made to the money-takers'
lodges at the north entrance, where the accommodation
had been found insufficient. In the Gardens generally
the works were of a minor character. A new glass roof
was placed on the Monkey-house; the walk round the
Seal Pond was raised so as to afford a better view of the
feeding of the Sea Lions ; and other repairs were carried
out.

The list of animals new to the Collection exhibited in
1889 included six mammals, thirteen birds, four reptiles,
and two batrachians. The most important new mammal
was a young Gaur (Bos gaurus) presented by Sir Cecil C.
Smith, K.C.M.G., Governor of the Straits Settlement.
This was the first specimen of the species received alive in
Europe, and in recognition of the value of the gift the
donor was elected an Honorary Member.

The breeding list of 1889 comprised thirty-one
mammals and eighteen birds. Among the noteworthy
deaths were a Condor which had lived for thirty-three
years in the Gardens, and a large Anaconda which
measured 15 ft. 9 in. in length. The number of speci-
mens in the Menagerie on December 31st was 2,232,
showing a decrease of fifty-eight on the corresponding
period in 1888.

Mr. Benjamin Misselbrook, who had filled the office
of Head Keeper for twenty-one years, retired this year
after more than sixty years' service in the employ of the
Society. Mr. Arthur Thomson, son of Mr. James Thorn-



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Zoological Society of London. 229

son a former Head Keeper, was appointed to the vacant
post.

Mr. F. E. Beddard, the Society's Prosector and Davis
Lecturer, delivered a course of six Lectures on some of
the more interesting animals in the Society's collection.

The Silver Medal of the Society was awarded to
Dr. E. D. Dickson, C.M.Z.S., of Constantinople, in recog-
nition of the zoological collections which he had presented
to the Society.

The income of 1889 amounted to £26,427, and the
expenditure to £23,228. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,075, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 644,679.



189O.

President : Peof. W. H. Flowee, C.B., F.E.S.

Treasurer: Chaeles Deummond, Esq.

Secretary : P. L. Sclatee, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1890 the improvements in the Monkey-house
commenced in the previous year, were completed, and
much other work was done in repairs of a minor
character.

The list of species exhibited for the first time in 1890
comprised seven mammals, eighteen birds, nine reptiles,
two batrachians, and one fish. Especially noteworthy
novelties were a Bay Colobus (Colobus ferrugineus) and a
young female Selous' Antelope (Tragelaphus selousi).
The last-named animal had been captured near Lake
Ngami by Mr. Nicolls and carried in his waggons
800 miles to Kimberley, whence it was brought to this
country. A young white Bull from the Chartley Herd,
Staffordshire, presented by Earl Ferrers, was the first
example of any of the old breeds of English Wild Cattle



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230 A Short History of the

exhibited by the Society. A Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius
ampelinus) was the first specimen of this rare Passerine
form which had reached Europe alive. A Chinese Alli-
gator {Alligator sinensis) excited considerable interest
among zoologists, as affording them an opportunity of
seeing an example of a genus that till 1879 had been
supposed to belong exclusively to the American Continent.

The twelfth volume of the Society's 'Transactions'
was completed in 1890 by the issue of the tenth part. It
contained fifteen zoological memoirs, amongst the authors
of which were Owen, Parker, Mr. Boulenger, and Mr. F.
E. Beddard, the Prosector.

The breeding list of 1890 contained the names of
twenty-eight mammals, twenty birds, and one reptile.
Among the noteworthy deaths were a male Thylacine
(one of a pair purchased in 1884), and a Common Crane,
bred in the Gardens (1863), which had lived in confine-
ment nearly twenty-eight years.

On December 31st the number of specimens in the
Menagerie was 2,256, showihg an increase of twenty-four
as compared with the corresponding period of the previous
year.

In response to frequent applications to know "how
the animals were fed," the Council's Eeport published this
year contained a table showing the nature and quantities
of the provisions consumed during the period 1880-89.

The Davis Lectures of this year were delivered by
Mr. F. E. Beddard, and consisted of six addresses on
' The Colours of Animals.'

The income of 1890 amounted to £25,059, and the
expenditure to £23,572. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 3,046, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 640,987.



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Zoological Society of London. 231



1891.

President : Pbof. W. H. Floweb, C.B., F.E.S.

Treasurer: Chables Dbummond, Esq.

Secretary: P. L. Sclateb, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1891 a new yard for the Barbary Sheep was con-
structed near the Band Stand, to correspond with that
erected for the Burrhel Sheep, near the Lion-house, and
the occupants were stated to thrive in their new quarters,
as they have done ever since. A Kiosk, for the sale of
photographs of animals living in the Gardens, was built
near the Broad Walk. At the eastern end of the Monkey
House an open-air cage was erected for a Tcheli Monkey
(Macacus tcheliensis), in which it has lived in good health
till the present time.

The list of species new to the collection in 1891 com-
prised four mammals, twenty-four birds, eight reptiles,
two batrachians, and one fish. The most important were
a young Ounce or Snow Leopard (Felis uncia), a Lhuy's
Impeyan Pheasant (Lophophorus Ihuysi), and examples of
the Tibetan Crossoptilon (Crossoptilon tibetanum).

The breeding list of 1891 contained the names of
twenty-six species of mammals, nine of birds, and two of
reptiles. The Bald-headed Chimpanzee, " Sally," which
had lived in the Gardens eight years, and an African
Ehinoceros (Rhinoceros bicornis), purchased in 1868, died
this year.

The number of animals in the Menagerie on December
31st, 1891, was 2,232, showing a decrease of twenty-four
as compared with the corresponding period of 1890.

Mr. Beddard resigned the editorship of the ' Zoological
Becord' this year, and was succeeded by the present
editor, Dr. David Sharp, F.E.S., to whom the income of
the Davis Trust Fund was assigned as remuneration for
this work.



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232 A Short History of the

A course of six lectures was delivered during the
summer by Mr. F. E. Beddard, the Prosector, on the
Animals Living in the Society's Gardens.

At the commencement of the decennial period 1891-
1900 it was determined to discontinue the edition of the
Society's ' Proceedings ' with uncoloured plates, and to
have a single uniform issue under the title, ' Proceedings
of the General Meetings for Scientific Business of the
Zoological Society of London.' The ' Proceedings ' were
continued in annual volumes under this title up to the
end of the century.

At the Anniversary Meeting in this year, the Silver
Medal of the Society was awarded to Mrs. Edmonston
and Mr. E. T. C. Scott, in acknowledgment of the effective
protection accorded for sixty years to the Great Skua
(Megalestris catarrhactes) by the families of Edmonston
and Scott at Uist and Foula.

The income of 1891 amounted to £24,054, and the
expenditure to £23,697. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 2,985, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 598,730.



1892.

President: Peof. W. H. Flowee, C.B., F.E.S.

Treasurer : Chables Drummond, Esq.

Secretary : P. L. Sclater, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1892 no new buildings were erected in the Society's
Gardens, but the staff of workmen was kept busily
employed in repairs and renewals throughout the year.
In the Great Aviary the large central pond was filled up,
and several smaller shallow ponds were made, as better
adapted for the wading birds.



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Zoological Society of London. 233

* Of species new to the collection there were exhibited
in 1892 eleven mammals, twenty birds, fourteen reptiles,
and one batrachian. Of these the most important were a
young Gibbon (Hylobates haincmus), of a uniform black
colour, from Hainan; a Monkey (Gercopithecus stair si),
new to science, from the Lower Zambesi, and a Puisa
Ichneumon (Bdeogale puisa). Other valuable accessions
were a young male Hippopotamus, born in the Antwerp
Gardens, and a very fine male Ostrich (Struthio camelus),
from West Africa, deposited by H.M. the Queen.

The breeding list of 1892 comprised twenty-six mam-
mals, sixteen birds, and two reptiles. The most important
death was that of the male Giraffe, acquired in 1879, the
last survivor of the old stock. The Gardens were now,
for the first time since the arrival of the original stock on
May 24th, 1836, without a representative of this mammal.
Since that epoch thirty individuals had been exhibited, of
which seventeen had been born in the Gardens, and
thirteen purchased. The last birth in the Menagerie had
taken place on March 17th, 1867.

The total number of animals in the Gardens on
December 31st, 1892, was 2,413, showing an increase of
181 over the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the summer of 1892, Mr. F. E. Beddard, the
Society's Prosector, delivered four lectures on Anthropoid
Apes in the Lecture-room at the Gardens.

The income of 1892 amounted to £24,877, and the
expenditure to d923,855. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 2,999, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 605,718.



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234 A Short History of the



1893.

President : Sir W. H. Flower, K.C.B., F.E.S.

Treasurer: Charles Drummond, Esq.

Secretary: P. L. Sclater, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1893 the old stables at the north-west corner of the
Middle Garden, used for the reception of new arrivals,
were pulled down and rebuilt, and a large number of other
repairs and renewals were carried on.

The most interesting animals added to the Collection
in 1893 were a female Caucasian Wild Goat (Capra
caucasica), a family of European Beavers {Castor fiber)
from the Lower Ehone, a Corean Sea Eagle (Haliaetus
brcmickii), and an example of the Great Grebe of Antarctic
America (Mchmophorus major) . Other important additions
were an adult male of Stairs' Monkey (Cercopithecus
stair si) , and three White-tailed Gnus from the Transvaal,
which were the foundation of the Society's breeding stock
of this Antelope.

The breeding list of 1893 contained twenty-nine
mammals, fifteen birds, one reptile, and two batrachians.
The most interesting birth was that of a female Water-
buck (Cobus ellipsiprymnus), the first example, so far as is
known, of this antelope bred in captivity.

The number ol animals in the Menagerie on December
31st was 2,522, showing an increase of 109 over the
number at the corresponding period of 1892.

In this year Sir Henry Arthur Blake, K.C.M.G., then
Governor of Jamaica, who by presents of valuable animals
to the Menagerie, and in other ways, had promoted
Zoological science, was elected an Honorary Member.
The President and the Principal of the Eoyal College of
Veterinary Surgeons were added to the list of ex officio
Honorary Members.



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Zoological Society of London. 235

The Council passed a resolution in 1893 approving of
a proposal by the Government of New Zealand for the
protection of the native birds in reserves, and suggesting
also that in these reserves protection should be afforded
to the Tuatera Lizard (Sphenodon pwnctatus).

In 1893 the Society's Silver Medal was awarded to
Mr. Donald Cameron, of Lochiel, and Mr. John Peter
Grant, of Eothiemurchus, in recognition of the efforts made
by them to protect the Osprey (Pandion haliaettcs) in their
respective districts. The Silver Medal was also bestowed
on Mr. George S. Mackenzie, F.Z.S., who, during his
residence in British Central Africa, had sent home many
valuable animals as presents to the Menagerie.

In this year Benjamin Misselbrook, formerly Head
Keeper, died at the age of eighty-two, having been
pensioned in 1889. Misselbrook had entered the Society's
service as a boy in 1828, and was Head Keeper for twenty
years.

In 1893 the principal rooms in the Society's House in
Hanover Square were fitted with electric light, and
additional oak bookcases were made for the library.

The income of 1893 amounted to d926,217, and the
expenditure to d925,278. The number of Fellows on
December 31st was 2,985, and the admissions to the
Gardens were 662,649.



I894.

President : Sib W. H. Floweb, K.C.B., F.E.S.

Treasurer: Chables Dbummond, Esq.

Secretary: P. L. Sclateb, Esq., F.E.S.



In 1894 no special works of any magnitude were
carried out at the Gardens, but a scheme for draining them
was prepared, and the staff of workmen was kept busy
on general repairs.



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236 A Short History of the

The species new to the Collection of which specimens
were exhibited in the Gardens in 1894, included seventeen
mammals, twenty-nine birds, four reptiles, two batrachians,
and two fishes. Among these were a valuable collection
of small mammals presented by Dr. J. Anderson, F.B.S.,
being part of the acquisitions made during a recent
expedition to Egypt, and a fine example of a Livingstone's
Eland (Oreas ccmna livmgstonii) from the Transvaal, which
differs from the ordinary form in carrying stripes.

The breeding list of 1894 contained thirty mammals,