THE NATIONAL ZOO AT WASHINGTON. 701 



science and the instruction and amusement of the people," as well as a 

 city of refuge where those ''native animals that were threatened with 

 extinction might live and perpetuate their species in peace." 



An appropriation of $200,000 was made, but it was clogged with 

 several irksome conditions. One-half the expense was to t>e paid by 

 the District of Columbia, thereby giving the commission a control 

 which changed the plan, making the collection more like the ordinary 

 menagerie. No animals were to be bought, which was much like a 

 rich man building himself a picture-gallery, and saying. "Now, if my 

 friends choose to present me with pictures, all right, I'll house them; 

 but I've done enough for myself in building the gallery." And vet. 

 though falling short of its promoter's original wish, the scheme has 

 notably progressed, and no one who is capable of measuring the future 

 of the institution can doubt that in founding this park, where those 

 "native animals that were threatened with extinction might live and 

 perpetuate their species in peace," Congress has done more for the 

 learning, science, and amusement of the nation than it would in 

 expending a much larger amount in a university, a theater, and a 

 choice library combined; for the fields of the three are already well 

 covered, but the. park, by preserving the nation's heritage of wild 

 animals, has opened important regions of biological research and 

 zoological art. 



He was a wise old farmer who said to his son, " John, make sure 

 of }^our land, and everything else will take care of itself." The whole 

 appropriation was wisely expended in securing land, and although 

 scientists have not the highest reputation for business sense, the 

 Park's projector was enough of a business man to secure land that 

 would now fetch at least ten times what was paid for it ten years ago. 



It comprises 167 acres of land, beautifully diversified with woods 

 and streams, in the suburbs of the city of Washington — land which 

 the Secretary had discovered years before when on rides for recrea- 

 tion, and the absolute fitness of which for the purpose in hand had 

 been helpful in developing the original plan. It included the histor- 

 ical grounds and building of the Quincy Adams Mill and the classical 

 old Holt House; but, better still, it secured a region that had always 

 been a familiar resort of the native birds and quadrupeds of the Dis- 

 trict of Columbia, affording the best of expert testimony in favor of 

 its salubrity. Mr. Langley recognized the merit of Mr. W. T. Horna- 

 day, the well-known naturalist and taxidermist, and obtained his able 

 and energetic superintendence during the earliest formative period of 

 the park; and when he was called to duties elsewhere, Dr. Frank 

 Baker took up the burden, and, under the direction of the Secretary, 

 whose other duties have never interfered with the attention he has 

 given to his own creation (the park), it has been carried on with all the 

 success that could be expected under conditions of inadequate support. 



