REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 41 



it cau be opened to tlie public, tbougli it may not bave a strictly park- 

 like cultivation. Tbere will tbus be free to tbe public, it is boped by 

 next year, between 50 and CO acres, an area larger tban tbat of tbe 

 Zoological Gardens in tbe Regents Park of London, or tbe Jardin des 

 Plantes of Paris. 



A distinct area of some 10 or 15 acres will be reserved in anotber 

 portion of tbe park lor administrative and otber purposes requiring 

 seclusion, and will contain a lodge for tbe resident superintendent, 

 offices, stable, infirmary for animals, and a i^roposed laboratory. 



It sbould be remembered tbat a most important feature of tbis under- 

 taking is tbat it is not only a place for public resort and amusement, 

 but it is also intended to furnish secluded places for tbe breeding and 

 restoration of tbe various animals indigenous to tbis country. 



At London and Paris tbe zoological gardens are cbiefly for tbe 

 amusement of tbe people by tbe exbibition of curious and foreign ani- 

 mals, and for tbe benefit of tbe naturalist ; our paramount interest is to 

 preserve tbe indigenous animals, and then to provide, in tbe words of 

 tbe act, for tbe instruction and amusement of tbe people. 



Tbougb anticipating tbe report for tbe coming year it does not seem 

 out of place in tbepresent connection to allude to tbe fact that the Sec- 

 retary, in bis private capacity, has been appointed by thePresidentone 

 of the commissioners of the more extensive national park upon Eock 

 Creek, contiguous to tbe Zoological Park, a charge which be has 

 accepted with some reluctance on account of tbe pressure of present 

 official duties, but with a feeling tbat b^^ reason of tbe necessary inti- 

 mate connection between the two national parks the public interests 

 will be subserved by tbis action. 



I can not close the rejjort in relation to tbis new undertaking of tbe 

 Institution without reference to the loss we have sustained in the death 

 of Senator Beck, who, tbougb not upon tbe Board of Regents, took a 

 lively interest in the Institution, and a special interest in establishing 

 and placing under its care the preservation of the natural scenery in tbe 

 neighborhood of tbe Capital. 



I regret, also, to report that near the close of tbe year, the Institution 

 was reluctantly obliged to accept tbe resignation of Mr. W. T. Hornaday, 

 curator of living animals in tbe National Museum, who, having been as- 

 signed to the duty of superintendent of the park under tbe Commission, 

 it was hoped would be able to accept the position of superintendent of 

 the park upon its transfer to the Board of Regents. His eflbrts assisted 

 the Commission greatly in tbe selection of the land, and did much to 

 insure the success of the measure before Congress. 



Dr. Frank Baker honorary curator of tbe Department of Comparative 

 Anatomy in tbe Museum, was appointed on Junel, 1890, acting mana- 

 ger of the Zoological Park. 



