The organization of a Section of Zoology marks a oew era 

 in the life of the Academy. Professor James L. Gilbert, 



Chairmj t' the Section, well known in tins community for 



his scientific attainments, is at the head of the Biological 

 Departmenl of the Los Angeles Bigh School, and during the 

 short period of the life of this Section he has accomplished 

 wonders. Il has been known for some time thai in a depres- 

 sion on the Rancho La Brea, are buried the remains of early 

 fauna of California. A communication from the Academy to 

 Mrs. Erskine M. Koss. owner of the rancho, requesting per- 

 mission to excavate at this place, broughl a most gracious 

 consent, and. owing to the liberality of Mr. John D. Honker. 

 Prof. Grilberl was able to proceed at once with the work. An 

 opportunity so rare comes bu1 once, and we are fortunate that 

 we have he,'!) ahh to delve in so rich a lied of extind fauna 

 at the very door of the Academy. 



<>n Monday, -Inly 2(i. 1909, Prof. Gilberl placed upon 

 exhibition in the City Hall the results of Ins work since the 

 commencement of the public school summer vacation. A 

 Buffalo skull, with a sweep of horns of 31 inches from tip to 

 tip. the largesl ever found; the bones of the Camel. Horse. 

 Antelope. Sloth and Elephant in their most gigantic forms; 

 a skull of the sabre-toothed tiger, complete in all its parts; 

 the head and part of the hones of a huge lion — not the 

 mountain lion of California, but of the African type; smaller 

 cats, rodents and a large variety of birds, great and small, 

 were shown in an unusually excellent state of perfection. 

 None of these are petrified, and their preservation from a 

 time before man made his appearance is explained by their 

 burial in a grave of brea. 



This exhibit was inspected by the Mayor and the gentle- 

 men of the City Council, who were so impressed with the 

 value of these discoveries and the fear that the numerous 

 foreign Scientific Bodies, which have applied fop permission 

 to excavate in this wonderful deposit, will carry away fossils 

 which should forever remain in a home Museum, that, on the 

 same day, an appropriation of five hundred dollars was made 

 to Hie Academy for the continuance of this work. 



^So£chidfv Oo 





V.) 



