in the
Zoological Gardens, yet conception by no means always follows union: in
the nine-year Report, various species are specified which were observed
to couple seventy-three times, and no doubt this must have passed many
times unnoticed; yet from the seventy-three unions only fifteen births
ensued. The Carnivora in the Zoological Gardens were formerly less
freely exposed to the air and cold than at present, and this change of
treatment, as I was assured by the former superintendent, Mr. Miller,
greatly increased their fertility. Mr. Bartlett, and there cannot be a
more capable judge, says, "it is remarkable that lions breed more
freely in travelling collections than in the Zoological Gardens;
probably the constant excitement and irritation produced by moving from
place to place, or change of air, may have considerable influence in
the matter."

Many members of the Dog family breed readily when confined. The Dhole
is one of the most untameable animals in India, yet a pair kept there
by Dr. Falconer produced young. Foxes, on the other hand, rarely breed,
and I have never heard of such an occurrence with the European fox: the
silver fox of North America (_Canis argentatus_), however, has bred
several times in the Zoological Gardens. Even the otter has bred there.
Every one knows how readily the semi-domesticated ferret breeds, though
shut up in miserably small cages; but other species of Viverra and
Paradoxurus absolutely refuse to breed in the Zoological Gardens. The
Genetta has bred both here and in the Jardin des Plantes, and produced
hybrids. The _Herpestes fasciatus_ has likewise bred; but I was
formerly assured that the _H. griseus_, though many were kept in the
Gardens, never bred.

The Plantigrade Carnivora breed under confinement much less freely,
without our being able to assign any reason, than other members of the
group. In the nine-year Report it is stated that the bears had been
seen in the Zoological Gardens to couple freely, but previously to 1848
had most rarely conceived. In the Reports published since this date
three species have produced young (hybrids in one case), and, wonderful
to relate, the white Polar bear has produced young. The badger (_Meles
taxus_) has bred several times in the Gardens; but I have not heard of
this {152} occurring elsewhere in England, a