RATIONING AT THE ZOO.

"In the Northern area," says a despatch from Mr. POCOCK, "a, period of
inactivity has set in which is partly due to the fact that the dromedary
has been placed on a vegetarian diet. There has been a cold snap in the
crocodile house. Three of our keepers have disappeared."

An attempt to substitute salsify for bloaters in the dietary of the
sea-lion was not successful.

Complaints have been received from the elephant-house to the effect that
buns sold for the benefit of the occupants have not reached their
destination. Should this abuse continue it will be necessary to make
arrangements to have every child under the age of twelve submitted to an
X-ray examination before leaving the Gardens.

The use of human food for the nourishment of animals is, however, being
discouraged; and for the future guinea-pigs and broken glass will be the
staple diet of boa-constrictors and ostriches respectively. Peppermint-
balls for grizzly bears are to be discontinued; also egg-nogg for
anthropoid apes.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Alice_ (_saying her prayers, after a quarrel with her
sister_). "AND, PLEASE GOD, BLESS BETTY."

_Betty._ "DON'T YOU DARE TO PRAY FOR ME!"]