THE MAGAZINE

OF

NATURAL HISTORY.

JUNE, 1832.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

ART. I. A Visit to the Surrey Zoological Gardens.
By OBSERVATOR.

PREVIOUSLY to the establishment of the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park, it had been matter of deep regret to the cultivators of natural history, that we possessed no great scientific establishment for facilitating and encouraging the study of zoology, and no menageries where the natural forms, and in some degree the natural instincts and habits, of the animals of the globe might conveniently be observed and examined. In no other part of Europe were these deficiencies complained of; notwithstanding, we, as a nation, were richer than any other country in the extent of our foreign possessions, and had at our command peculiar facilities for collecting and introducing exotic animals. Under these circumstances, no other resource was left to the student of zoology and the philosopher of nature, but that of visiting the magnificent institutions of other countries, where the requisite aids to their studies might be found. Such, however, have been the progress of, and the increasing taste for, the delightful study of zoology among us, that, in the short space of five years, not only have the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park been founded and established, but we have even now a second establishment of the same kind, the Surrey Zoological Gardens: these being similar to the Regent's Park ones in all essential requisites, and equally conducive to the same useful purposes and rational enjoyment. Where the genuine love of science prevails, and where there is an

earnest desire to direct the public taste to healthful sources of recreation, there can be no jealous rivalry; and in the present case, too, the Surrey Zoological Gardens and those in the Regent's Park are so distant from each other, that, while this distance will prevent each from trenching on the interests of the other, it will enable the public, according to the point from which they visit, to partake of the recreation either may afford without inconvenience or fatigue.

In a late visit [February] to the Surrey Zoological Gardens, I observed that the most strenuous exertions were being made to render them attractive and useful, as well to the lovers of botany and to the public generally, as to the lovers of zoology. The sides of the principal walks and avenues were being planted with a rich variety of trees and shrubs, of species both native and exotic. These, independently of the attraction of the animals, must, as they become established, and develope their varied and characteristic outlines, and the diversified forms and many-coloured hues of their foliage, constitute a rich source of gratification to the observant visiter, and render the gardens an available resource to the artist, the botanist, and, in short, to all who take pleasure in observing or exploring the charms of vegetable nature. It is, I was informed, to be one of the characteristics of this establishment, that every possible facility will be rendered to every artist, student, or other enquirer, towards the accomplishment of the object he has in view; and, should this enlightened policy continue to be practically observed, it is easy to anticipate that very important benefits to science must daily result from the facilities at the disposal of such an establishment.

The site selected for these gardens was formerly that of the manor house and grounds of Walworth, and comprises an extent of 15 acres, including a beautiful sheet of water of nearly 3 acres.

On entering the gardens by the Camberwell Road entrance, the first objects are a neat Gothic corridor, with two entrance lodges, forming a covered piazza of about 60 ft. long, calculated for company waiting for their carriages. From the mode of colouring adopted [technically called splashing], this building has the appearance of having been erected a century ago; its battlements are also already covered with ivy and other climbing plants. On passing this, you enter a spacious lawn studded with many rare and ornamental trees of most luxuriant growth. Here are situated aviaries containing various species of curassows, jungle fowl, foreign partridges, &c.; with a circular pond, in which are the beautiful summer duck, teal, widgeon, pochard, and many other varieties of aquatic

birds. On leaving this part of the garden, you gain an uninterrupted view of the lake, studded with little islands, while on both sides are shrubberies, and the various buildings containing the splendid collection of animals.

Of the buildings, the chief is the dome-shaped circular conservatory, devoted to the large carnivorous animals. This is a grand and unique building, of which I transcribe you the dimensions, as I learned them at the gardens. The conservatory is 300 ft. in circumference, and consists of a dwarf wall which is about 3 ft. high, and covered with an iron coping from which spring iron ribs, 400 in number, converging towards an inner circle: these ribs form a curve and are about 20 ft. in length. The whole of this space is glazed, and is entered by four doors placed at equal distances in the circumference of the building. The plan and design of the building have been furnished, and carried into effect, under the superintendence of Mr. H. Phillips of Brighton. It contains upwards of 30,000 squares of glass. Against the inner circle of this building are the dens; containing the finest collection of the large carnivorous animals I have ever witnessed.

The specimens of the Barbary lion and Bengal tigers here exhibited are most magnificent ones. The male lion of Africa is by far the most noble and perfect specimen I ever remember to have seen: and here, for the first time, I beheld full-grown individuals of the true Asiatic lion; an animal of the greatest rarity, and which may be considered the pride of the collection. Mr. Swainson is convinced it is a totally different species to that of North Africa, and has accordingly named it Lèo asiáticus. There are, of course, numerous specimens of leopards, jaguars, puma, and other kindred species. From this building you pass to one of an octagonal form, with paddocks radiating from it, in which are a remarkably fine elk or moose deer, various specimens of the lama, alpaca, vicuna, a pair of fine gnus, the small bush kangaroos, a fine ostrich, with two unique specimens of the cassowary, both of which are particularly beautiful birds. Of the eagle tribe there are several rare species: the young of the whitebeaded eagle, the harpy (Fálco destructor), and that doubtful species named Rappel's vulture. A mass of rockwork or ruins has been erected for the rapacious birds, with chambers underneath, communicating with a run of water for beavers, one of which has been presented by N. Garry, Esq., of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Two very tasteful lodges have been erected for the entrance from the Kennington Road.

On the whole, I think, a more suitable and delightful

spot could not have been selected within the same distance of OBSERVATOR. the metropolis.

London, February, 1832,

OF the conservatory so justly admired by Observator, we have in our Gardener's Magazine, vol. vii. p. 692, 693., given a figure and short description: these we will here also introduce, in illustration of Observator's remarks, not doubting that the recollection of the clearness of conception which the cut will promote to those who only peruse our Magazine of Natural History, will sufficiently apologise for the repetition, to those who are in the habit of reading this Magazine and the Gardener's Magazine also. Our description will be found as follows:

"In the plan, from memory, of this building (fig. 83.), the animals

(lions, tigers, leopards, &c.) are kept in separate cages or compartments (a) towards the centre; exterior to them is a colonnade (b), supporting the glazed roof, and also for cages of birds; within this colonnade will be placed hot-water pipes for heating the whole, and beyond it is an open paved area for spectators (c); next, there is a channel for a stream of water, intended for gold, silver, and other exotic fishes (d); and, beyond, a border, under the front wall, for climbing plants (e), to be trained on wires under the roof. It is singular that the elevation of this building (fig. 84.) is almost a fac simile of the elevation which we made in May last for the hot-houses of the Birmingham Horticultural Society's garden; the only difference being the addition, in our plan, of exterior pits, and of pediments over the entrance porches. The curvilinear sash-bars in Mr. Cross's building are of iron, by Brown of Clerkenwell, and the glazing is beautifully executed by Drake of the Edgeware Road.”—Cond.

ART. II. An Essay on the Analogy between the Structure and. Functions of Vegetables and Animals. By WILLIAM GORDON, Esq., Surgeon, Welton, near Hull. Read before the Hull Literary and Philosophical Society, Nov. 19. 1830. Communicated by Mr. GORDON.

HAVING now given a very brief outline of the analogy that exists between the organisation of vegetables and that of animals, I shall proceed to point out to what extent the functions of these two classes of beings resemble each other: and, first with regard to absorption. It is well ascertained that, after the food has been duly elaborated in the stomach, it is conveyed into the blood, to serve for the growth and support of the body. It is likewise ascertained that the particles of which the animal fabric is composed are constantly undergoing a state of renewal. The decayed molecules are removed, and new ones are deposited in their places. Moreover, it is known that, if mercury be rubbed upon the skin, it is carried into the system, and exercises upon it the same influence as when it is introduced into the stomach; and, if the body be immersed in water or damp air, that the surface will imbibe a great quantity of the watery particles that come in contact with it, and will convey them into the blood. The process by which all these effects are accomplished is called absorption; and it is performed by a peculiar set of organs, termed the absorbent system. These organs, which are situated in almost every part of the body, consist of delicate trans