78 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1912. 



was a fireproof building for the central heating plant. From this 

 plant the animal houses and the worksiiop are heated, and as long 

 as the boilers were housed in a flimsy, woden shed, part of which was 

 used as a woodworking shop, there was serious risk of a, disastrous 

 fire. The new building is 46 feet by 56 feet, with walls of stone and 

 concrete, and a roof of slate on concrete slabs, supported by steel 

 roof framing. Two additional boilers were purchased and installed 

 so that by using the boilers in alternation they may be cleaned and 

 repaired whenever necessary without interrupting the operation of 

 the plant. The storage vault for coal was enlarged, and a large con- 

 crete storage tank built for supplying warmed water to the tanks for 

 the hippopotamus, tapirs, and alligators. The cost of the house, 

 boilers, and other improvements connected with them, was $5,850. 



The series of yards on the west side of the antelope house was en- 

 larged during the year. Light steel bars replaced the wire of the 

 former fence, and wherever sufficient space was available, a double 

 fence of the same character was used instead of solid partitions. 



Adjoining the indoor quarters of the hippopotamus and the tapirs 

 a yard 34 feet by 60 feet was constructed, in which was provided a 

 good-sized bathing pool 6 feet deep. 



Outdoor cages were installed along the east side of the small 

 mammal house, completing the cage equipment of that building. 



A number of inclosures for cattle, deer, and other animals were 

 rebuilt during the year, and a substantial new shelter constructed for 

 the zebus, vicugnas, and alpacas. 



Three small inclosures for semiaquatic animals were built near the 

 otter and beaver yards, and a permanent walk constructed from that 

 point to connect with the main walk to the west entrance. 



Tlie machines in the workshops of the park have heretofore been 

 operated by steam power. As electric power can now be had, ar- 

 rangement is being made to equip for its use as rapidly as is prac- 

 ticable. Two motors were purchased near the close of the year, also 

 a circular saw with combination bench. Considerable economy in 

 labor will be effected by these changes. Work was also begun on a 

 small house for the storage and preparation of food. 



The cost of these improvements was as follows : 



House for central heating plant $5,850 



Yards on west side of antelope house 1. 500 



Yard for hippopotamus and tapirs 950 



Completing outdoor cages at small mammal house 525 



Inclosures and shelters for cattle, deer, etc 800 



Small inclosures and walk in beaver valley 450 



Equipment for workshops 613 



Beginning construction of food house 565 



Total - 11,253 



