Showing 11 results

Sun. Eve [1840]

Sir
I have the pleasure to send you my description of the Silurus and of its anatomy. You will perceive that my memory was not quite correct, for instead of a long Dorsal my [Diclioo Mutchie] has a long Anal fin. The former according to other of my memory is the Heterobranchus of Geoffroy St Hilaire and is likewise endowed with the same singular conformation of the Bronchia which he has described while Cuvier repeats in his Anatomie Comparee.
I will see you in the afternoon of tomorrow and explain further -

I am
Sir
Your very Obed. etc

John Whyllie

Waterhouse Esqre.

Memorandum of agreement entered into on the 22nd day of February 1847 between the Zoological Society of London and Charles Wolf of 28 Crosby Row, Walworth, in the Parish of Newington, Country of Surrey, Confectioner. The said Zoological Society agrees to let to the said Charles Wolf and the said Charles Wolf agrees to take from the said Zoological Society the privilege of selling Confectionary and other refreshments at the Gardens of the said Society in the Regents Park, together with the Confectionary Rooms and other accommodation heretofore occupied by Mr Thomas Masters at the said Gardens, for the space of one year from the first day of April next ensuing, at and for the rent or sum of Three Hundred and fifty Pounds Sterling to be paid in advance, that is to say on or before the the thirty first day of March next ensuing. And it is hereby further agreed by and between the said parties that the said Charles Wolf, will not make of cause to be made any alteration in or upon the said premises or any part thereof without the authority in writing of the Secretary of the said Society authorised thereto by an order or Minute of the Council of the said Society, and that he the said Charles Wolf will render up possession of the said premises at the expiration of the aforesaid term of one year in the same condition as they now are, reasonable wear and tear only accepted. And also that it should be lawful for the Society's Architect, from time to time, to enter on the said premises for the purpose of inspecting the same, and of ordering such repairs or alterations as may be considered desirable provided always, and it is hereby further agreed by the said parties that any such alterations as shall be of a permanent character shall be made at the sole cost and charge of the said Society, and that all such alterations and repairs as shall be of a temporary nature, or caused by, or by the neglect of the same Charles Wold shall be, made and executed at the sole cost and charge of the said Charles Wolf, under the direction and by the workmen appointed by the Society's Architect aforesaid.

C. Wolf

Witness John Leigh

A list and two letters from Edward Smith Stanley to Edward Ogilby

Manchester

March 14 1845

Sir

There is one Lion with a good and showy mane. he has a defective tail, that is to say the last three inches of it is turned up abruptly; this beast I should not like to give more than three hundred guineas for - the second Lion they say is six years old, I think he is not so old; he has less mane than the one at the Gardens, that belongs to White, he is a large beast, but has what is called a broken nose, that is to say he bears the appearance that a fighting man does - he is a larger animal than the first mentioned - the outside value of this one I should say was two hundred pounds - the first mentioned one is the same sort and looks exactly like the one at the Surrey Gardens the elephant is fine and they expect a long price. I should say he was well worth six hundred pounds - the giraffe is a female, and by far the best animal in the collection, appears in perfect health and condition, she is not as I was informed crooked on the legs, but a beast well worthy of being added to our collection, let her fetch what price she will this animals is well worth three hundred and fifty guineas to the Society - the Leopard is fine, but he lost all four canines and has got a severe cold in one eye - five pounds would be plenty of money for him - The Lion cubs are male and female about 15 inches high, they were cubbed in the collection, the point of interest about them is, that they are living on good terms in the same den with the maned Lion - one of them is what is called [Mooney?] headed they are not worth £20 the two.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
Louis Prater

If the Society feel inclined to purchase the Elephant, there is a man here I think would buy our large one. The Elephant is full 8ft high

1840

My dear Ogilby

Your letter came to me while I was at Cambridge - I am sorry I cannot be at the Committee tonight: tho points I have to offer to your and the Committee's notice respecting the big birds bone are simply my conviction that it is an extinct Struthious Bird about the age of the Dodo. It is [associated] in interest with the Apteryx from the same locality - a short paper and one plate.

Believe me
ever your truly
Rd. Owen

Tuesday Morng.

Letters from William Ogilby to E J Bennett regarding his examination of skins and other matters at the Zoological Society of London

My dear Sir
I saw the skin of O Brevirostus this day at one o'clock' and examined it attentively without discovering the ocellus spot though in the other two skins it is of considerable extent too large. I should think to be so completely concealed by, a partial contraction of the skin. However Mr [Gould's?] observation in this aspect may possible be correct but as far as for the bill extending during the process of softening the skin he is altogether mistaken unless he maintains equally as the bones of the head will be prolonged in the same operation. There are besides other characters connected with the animal in question which confirm me in the idea of its being a distinct species and therefore I must request that the description be published in its present form. If there be any alteration or modification necessary it will be more properly the subject of a future notice, but delay on the present occasion would be only giving an opportunity for some other person to describe it in the meantime. I shall therefore be obliged to you to have the impression struck off as I sent it to you corrected.

Yours ever sincerely

W. Ogilby

To E.J. Bennett Esq

Tuesday morn
51 York St

My dear Sir
I am truly sorry that you should have had so much trouble about a thing in itself of very small consequence. I shall therefore leave the matter entirely in your hands, as I must cordially agree in your observation of the misapprehensions which might possibly arise from the description in its present form. I had intended to have called at the Society today but find that I shall not have time. Add therefore one other favour to your former goodness by either suppressing the notice for the present or treating it in whatever other manner being most proper to yourself.

believe me my dr. Sir
Ever Sincerely yours

W. Ogilby

To E.J. Bennet Esq
4 Bulstrode St

Answered July 26th 1839

Dear Sir

By one of the recent arrivals from the Cape I learn that my friends there have been kind enough among other things to send over for me what they call a large Male Water Buffalo by this I imagine they mean what I know by the name of the Bos Caffer and that is an animal that I fear is of too violent and savage a nature for me to receive him here but it is undoubtedly an animal of great rarity having I believe never before made its appearance in England (if in Europe) before above. If in that character, or any other the Council wd. consider him an acquisition to their Collection in the Park. I shall be very glad if they will do me the Honour to receive him. It will be still almost as gratifying to me as having him here at Knowsley without the continual dread I shd. be under of accidental injuries happening were he to come down hither when I have nothing like the appliances and means of Security than wd. be [?] with you. He is at present in your neighbourhood being under Mr [Garnett's?] care to whom I have also written by this Post authorising the transfer of the Beast to any one who may apply for it under authority of the Society. I have also had some intimation of a very [savage?] Black Tiger and of a very [tame?] Royal Bengal [?] being coming to me. I know not how or from whom but as another of them are in my [?] I shall beg to offer their [refusal?] to the Council if they would honour me with by their acceptance. I only heard of them casually from my Son who said someone had told him they had seen them I think at the Cape and understood they were for me. It is thus a very blind offer I am making but I thought it best to be sure of the Council's inclination against their [?] as, if declined I should [?] them to be immediately disposed of. I have also been lucky enough to enlist [Gen. J/T Anna?] in my service for [Mexican Roosters?] in return for English. I think this may be a promising speculation for me I hope you find matters [?] satisfactorily. For [?] of as I refer to Fuller to whom I also write today

Yrs very truly

Derby

To Wm. Ogilby Esq

Knowsley
Aug 8th 1847

Dear Sir

I am glad to learn by your Note of yesterday's [recd?] that the Council have agreed to your proposal of rather Warwick's and shall be very glad to receive a copy of the agreement when finally drawn up. I ought though to have replied to your Note on this matter by the last Post as you have put to me a material question, but to own the truth, I am still rather puzzled how to reply as I own I do not exactly understand what it is that Warwick wishes me to bind myself to as far as I do understand it tho' I cannot wonder at his desire to [?] himself as far as possible, it seems to me requiring me too be bound to purchase particular animals without knowing any thing as to their condition, quality or sex for it might occur that he might succeed in bringing only one sex where I desire a Pair, or that the sex may be exactly that not desired, nothing do I at this moment recollect which are the [sorts?] he alludes to. I fear therefore that without farther explanation I can hardly bind myself to that for supposing anything to happen in the interim to me, nor by [?] a claim on my successor to [make?] him buy something he might not be at all desirous of. I have again to thank you for your communication to-day of Mr ['Serright's] letter and I will lose no time in forwarding to you a Note to Messrs Drummond for the sum you mention as the amount of freight and for Mellish and his Live Stock to whom I believe Thompson will perhaps send some advices. He I find has left at The Gardens the Birds he carried up for the [?] Show, and perhaps if not inconvenient to the Socy. it might be as well to take this opportunity of coming hither by Mellish. I take this opportunity of mentioning that it is probable I may shortly have occasion to make some drafts from my animals here among others of the Hog and Barbary Deer and [?]. Would the Socy wish for any of these and what? As I should of course wish to give them a preference when I can in these matters I am glad you have heard of the [Snooks?] I had some conversations with [B. Bornon?] about them when here as he opined the emperor had not forgotten his promise. I find from Sir Robert that he has agreed to take 2 Pair of Bustards of Richter which I am glad of
Yours very truly
Derby
I fear I shall not be able to succeed with Tyler about the Impeyan Pheasants as he says he has already refused 100 for them. I wonder who has offered that sum, as I pay [?] [?] [?] not I suppose you are aware that there is a pair of Cyrus Cranes lately imported but the owner says he might be tempted by 150!! Guineas tho' he too has refused 100 It is too much - for me at least