Excerpt from The Zoological Society of London: A Sketch of Its Foundation and Development, and the Story of Its Farm, Museum, Gardens, Menagerie and Library

IN presenting this book to what I believe will prove a friendly public, attention may be drawn to the fact that this is the first attempt to tell the story of the Zoological Society at any length. Nearly seven years ago, though the project had not then taken definite shape, it received the approval of Dr. Sclater, who kindly gave me free access to the Society's records, and, in consequence of my work on them, entrusted me with the preparation of the official Short History. Since then his successor, Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell, has kindly allowed me the same privileges and increased my obligations to him by reading the proofs and making valuable suggestions.

My aim throughout has been to record facts and to give authority for any statement that seemed in conflict with gener ally received opinion, without comment or the obtrusion of my own views. While gathering material from every available source, two considerations forced themselves upon me, and, as a consequence, find expression in these pages. First, that the foundation of the Zoological Society of London was a natural development from the Zoological Club of the Linnean Society; and the second, that before the Zoological Society was half a century old, its bionomical work practically ceased owing to the increasing influence of morphographers and systematists in its councils. The election of the Duke of Bedford as President, the recommendations of the Reorganisation Committee, and subsequent changes, mark a return to lines laid down by the Charter.

The rest of my task is a very pleasant one - to offer my sincere thanks to all who have helped me in the preparation of this history. I am especially grateful to the President for accepting the dedication; and to the Duchess of Bedford, I am indebted for such particulars of the Woburn collection as were necessary for the purposes of the book.

Professor Alfred Newton, has favoured me with much information that has been incorporated. My obligations to Dr. Sclater and Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell are again acknowledged; without the facilities granted by them it would have been useless to attempt the task. Mr. Arthur Ashbridge, District Surveyor of Marylebone, invited me to examine his records concerning the Gardens. Mr. R. I. Pocock has assisted me in matters of identification. My old friends Mr. F. H. Waterhouse and Mr. J. Barrow rendered valuable help - indeed, everybody at Hanover Square evinced an interest in the work that was extremely gratifying.

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