REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 43 



small cost, which will not be likely to be exceeded, and Con- 

 gress can be assured that it is not entering- into an indefinite 

 future expense if this initial one be approved. 



The Secretary will not leave this brief mention of the sub- 

 ject without stating- that the walrus, perhaps the sea elephant, 

 some kinds of seal, and many other great aquatic mammals, 

 can equally share in this protection at a similarly small expense, 

 by simply preserving some locality where the walrus now 

 congregate, as, for instance, a known spot on the northern 

 shore of the Alaskan peninsula, or by establishing a more 

 special preserve in some landlocked bay, where they will 

 obtain their natural food and be properly guarded. 



As to the local use of the National park, the beautiful region 

 set aside by Congress for it here has proved a tit place for 

 filling the objects of its existence, declared by Congress to be 

 "The advancement of science and the instruction and recrea- 

 tion of the people," for here not only are the national ani- 

 mals, with others, preserved (in connection, it is to be hoped, 

 later with fixed sources of supply), from which the race could 

 be recreated if it died out elsewhere, but the National Zoolog- 

 ical Park has become a favorite resort of the nation's visitors 

 to the capital, who find in its shades, along with such land- 

 scapes as no other city can show, object lessons of attractive 

 interest — for we must admit that we are all, adults as well as 

 children, interested in our animals, with an attraction which 

 no books about them can supply. 



It has been possible to make some needed improvements in 

 the roadways of the park during the year, but man} r of the 

 buildings are almost falling down. The need of means to put 

 a permanent shelter over the animals can not be overstated. 

 Mention has already been made in this relation of the aqua- 

 rium building, which consists of a literal barn, and which was 

 brought here until Congress could provide a special one; but 

 although several years have elapsed, none has yet been pro- 

 vided. The elephant house, a small wooden shed, put up as a 

 temporary expedient ten years ago, requires extensive repairs 

 to prevent it literally falling from rottenness. 



The wooden fence placed around the park ten }'ears ago, 

 and expected to last four or five years till a permanent one 

 was provided, has never been replaced at all, and has gone 

 beyond repair. 



