naturally suggest,
produce a combination unsurpassed and unsurpassable anywhere. Is it
exaggeration to say that the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens, once
properly established, would not only be regarded with pride and
affection by the citizens, but very materially benefit the whole city?
Imagine the grounds handsomely laid out in walks and drives, bordered
with grass and flowers, terraced from the river; tables and chairs
scattered about on the green sward under the trees; a band of music; the
cool breezes from the Schuylkill; opposite, the beautiful Lemon Hill
Park, with its broad drive alongside the bank: could anything be more
attractive and wholesome to the hundreds of thousands who through the
hot months of this uncommonly hot city are obliged to remain within its
limits?

Assuming, then, the advantages of a Zoological Garden in Philadelphia,
what is necessary for success and what business inducements (to consider
it in that light) can the society hold out to obtain sufficient money to
procure its collection of living animals, and provide for their suitable
accommodation and increase? The number of members is now two hundred,
who pay five dollars initiation and the same amount annually, which
gives them continual admission to the proposed Garden. Fifty dollars
secures a life-membership free from any further subscription. The sum
now in the treasury is two thousand dollars, and although at the last
meeting twenty-one new names were proposed, and many more persons have
announced their intention of joining, it is apparent that by this means
the society will never accomplish its object. Begging subscriptions,
without offering a pecuniary return therefor, is repugnant to the
officers, and the following plan has been adopted for procuring the
necessary funds. Certificates of stock are to be issued of not less than
fifty dollars each. All receipts derived from the Gardens and
collections of the society are to be applied annually--first, to the
maintenance of the establishment; second, to the payment of six per
cent. on the stock; and third, any balance remaining to go to the
gradual extension of the collections of the society and the improvement
of its grounds.

It will be observed that stockholders can never receive a larger
dividend than six per cent. per annum, and this only in case the
receipts exceed the expenditures. There are therefore two points to be
considered by those willing to invest--first, the character o