NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 89 



of tropical America and the lesser hercules beetle, the last named 

 represented in various stages of its life history. The life history 

 of the silk-worm was fully displayed, as well as the larvae of 

 other of the large silk-spinning moths. The collection of singing 

 insects, always of much popular interest, was very adequate 

 during the summer. 



Several rare tropical spiders were received and are now 

 thriving. In fact, we have exhibited some specimens of these 

 larger arachnids over a period of four years. They spin huge 

 tubes of iridescent silk, and their cages are of particular inter- 

 est. Among the more recent arrivals is a huge example of the 

 South American bird-killing spider {My gale avicularia) , that 

 has a spread of limbs of about five inches. Another is the 

 horned-back spider of tropical Africa. It is a large and savage 

 creature, with a curved protuberance upon the back. It fiercely 

 leaps at an intruding object, uttering a distinct sound, which is 

 quite unique among the silent legions of its allies. 



GROUND IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE WORK OF THE 



DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND CONSTRUCTION. 



Hermann W. Merkel, Forester and Chief Constructor; E. H. Costain, Assistant 

 Forester and Captain of the Watch. 



In new ground improvement work, comparatively little was 

 done during the year, on account of lack of funds for this pur- 

 pose. 



During the winter months of 1914, forty-eight of our new 

 benches with concrete standards were manufactured, giving a 

 seating capacity of two hundred and forty people, at an approxi- 

 mate cost of $300. These benches have been very successful, 

 and requests for blue-prints and details have been received from 

 a number of park departments. Their absolute permanency 

 and indestructibility by park vandals strongly commends their 

 use. 



The paving around the new Yak Shelter, the setting of 

 water troughs, and other finishing touches in connection with 

 this installation, were carried out, at a cost of $400. 



At the Concourse, 3,000 square feet of concrete sidewalk 

 were relaid, at an expense of $150. 



In connection with the work in the Service Yard, $350 were 

 expended in new paving, and the building of a new foundation 

 for the wagon-scale. 



