ee NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Another preparation displays a cobra with spread "hood," and 

 on this specimen may be seen the long movable ribs that fold 

 against the side of the serpent's body when the reptile is in a 

 passive mood. This exhibition case contains the paraphernalia nec- 

 essary in the treatment of snake bites, also several dishes con- 

 taining dried snake poison, and the apparatus for the extraction 

 of venom when the same is to be used for the manufacture of 

 anti-venomous serum — a product which also is exhibited. 



REPTILES ON HAND ON DECEMBER 3I, KJO/. 



Species. Specimens. 



Chelonia 36 201 



Crocodilia 5 53 



Lacertila 12 153 



Ophidia 65 305 



Amphibia 16 185 



Total 134 897 



The total census of the Zoological Park collections on De- 

 cember 31. 1907, is as follows: 



SUMMARY OF COLLECTIONS. . 



Species. Specimens. 



Mammals 188 607 



Birds 543 2,530 



Reptiles 118 712 



Amphibians 16 185 



Total 865 4,034 



Increase over 1906 47 410 



GROUND IMPROVEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

 ZOOLOGIC.XL PARK OFFICERS. 



Hermann W. Merkel, Chief Constructor and Forester. 



The Plaza, Boston Road Entrance. — The most extensive and 

 important work of the Park force on ground improvements was 

 carried out in the southeastern section of the Park. The con- 

 struction of the plaza surrounding the entrance pavilion of the 



