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Show 378 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [Apr. 2, sentation, 7 by birth, 7 by purchase, 4 were received on deposit, and 24 by exchange. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removal, was 105. The most noticeable additions during the month of March were as follows:- 1. A n Isabelline Bear (Ursus isabellinus, Horsf.), received in exchange from the Zoological Gardens of Calcutta, March 7th. The acquisition of this animal, which has been placed in the Bears' dens next to its near relative the Syrian Bear (Ursus syriacus), renders the series of Bears now living in the gardens nearly perfect. It consists of 21 individuals, referable to 11 species, as follows :- List of Bears living in the Menagerie. 2 Polar Bears d , 2 ( Ursus maritimus). 4 Brown Bears (U. arctos). 1 Hairy-eared Bear (U. piscator). 2 Grizzly Bears (U. ferox). 1 Syrian Bear ( U. syriacus). 1 Isabelline Bear (U. isabellinus). 3 Himalayan Bears (U. tibetanus). 2 Black Bears (U. americanus). 3 Malayan Bears (U. malayanus). 1 Spectacled Bear (U. ornatus). 1 Sloth Bear (Melursus labiatus). 2. A Le Vaillant's Darter (Plotus levaillanti), purchased March 9. This African species is new to the collection, although we have had several specimens of its American representative (Plotus anhinga), and have at present one individual of the latter species living in the fish-house. The present example is probably from Senegal; but this Darter likewise occurs all over Southern and Eastern Africa up to 12° N. lat.1 3. Two examples of the very singular Water-tortoise of the Amazons, generally known as the Matamata (Chelys matamata), remarkable for the long pendent filaments on its neck. The larger of the two measures about 13| inches in length. This species is new to the collection, and, so far as I know, has not been previously brought alive to Europe. I take this opportunity of recording the fact that the large female Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), which was purchased on the 15th February, 1877, and which (as I stated P. Z.S. 1877, p. 303) began to produce young (dead) the 2nd April, 1877, continued to produce young Snakes (mostly in a more .or less decomposed condition) up to about three months since, when fifteen finally came forth. In all sixty-two young were produced. This Snake is further remarkable for its long fast. Up to the 15th March, when she killed and ate a single duck, all offers of food were refused ; so that she must have fasted thirteen months. 1 Cf. Finsch & Hartl. Vogel Ost-Afrika's. p. 841. |
