Correspondence between Dr J Stanley White, Director of the Department of Clinical Investigation at Parke, Davis & Company Limited, and the Zoological Society of London regarding the treatment of the elephant Rusty, and the donation of Chloromycetin Palmitate
Letter from H Fenton to Sheffield Airey Neave regarding decisions made by the Council of the Zoological Society of London
Correspondence and signature lists for Colonel Harry E Roberts election to the Council of the Zoological Society of London
Nominations for the Council of the Zoological Society of London, and correspondence with Sir Alan Burns, Dr W H Thorpe, H W Parker, J Z Young, Professor A J E Cave and Dr Richard Clarke
Royal Gallery of Practical Science
July 29th 1839
Sir
I have persuaded the Council of this institution to part with the Specimen of the Gymnotus Electrivus which has now been a year in our possession for although by care, we have brought the animal to a state of most vigorous health from one of extreme debility in which it was when it came into our possession, yet I am conscious that to preserve its health more light and purer air, are necessary than we have the means of affording it here. I have been, accordingly, directed to apply in the first instance, to you as Secretary of the Zoological Society, to offer it to that Society, which it might be presumed would be most interested in possessing it. I shall be happy to impart the results of my experience in the treatment & management of the Fish which certainly has hitherto proved successful. I may in conclusion state that the price at which we should part with the Fish is 50£ & I must request as early an answer as convenient as I should offer it to other Institutions in case of the Zoological Society declining the purchase.
I am Sir
Yours faithfully
Thomas Bradley
Director
To Ogilby Esq
Offer of Gymnotus Electricus
Electric Eel
Declined
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
Letter from Edmund Wallace Elmslie, architect and surveyor of London Zoo, to William Ogilby regarding work in the Zoo by Mssrs Piper. Also an indenture between Edmund Wallace Elmslie and the Zoological Society of London regarding Elmslie's claims against the Society in relation to a contract between the Society and Mssrs Thomas Piper and Son
4 Regent St
May 8th 1846
Sir
In pursuance of a Resolution of the Council of the Zoological Society I have the honour to inform you that you have been admitted as one of the original members of the Society and I am directed to request the payment of your Subscription at your earliest convenience. I beg leave to forward to you the enclosed Prospectus and to solicit your exertions to obtain the accession of others to our list of Subscribers.
I have the honour to be Sir,
your obedient Servant
N.A. Vigors
Secretary
John A. Blake Esq
etc etc etc
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
Philip Lutley Sclater was an English zoologist and lawyer. He is best known for his work on ornithology. He was the longest serving ZSL Secretary, for 42 years between 1859-1902. In this time he corresponded with countless people around the world, and these letters are the ones that are extant.