REPORT OF THE ACTING SECRETARY. 39 



NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



In administering the affairs of the National Zoological Park, the 

 l^urposes defined by Congress in the act of organization, namely, 

 the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of 

 the people, have been kept constantly in view, though on account 

 of insufficient funds it has been impossible to promote these aims 

 to the extent desired. It is hoped that this condition will be rec- 

 tified in the near future, but that the park is already an assured 

 success and that its objects are well appreciated is evidenced by 

 the large number of visitors, which, during the past year, exceeded 

 half a million. 



Extreme care has been taken to preserve its very picturesque 

 natural features, and forming, as it does, an essential j)art of the 

 extensive parking system of the Rock Creek Valley, the mainte- 

 nance of its driveways and paths has been the subject of constant 

 attention. 



The inadequacy of the appropriations for the proper equipment 

 of the park has made it necessarj^ to exercise an unwise economy in 

 the construction of its buildings and other shelters, the majority 

 of which are of a cheap and temporary character, and sooner or later 

 must be replaced. The large building lately planned on a substan- 

 tial and permanent basis has now been in course of erection during 

 three years, since only small annual allotments could be assigned to 

 the purpose, and its completion must await the appropriation for 

 1907. 



Ajnong the pressing needs is a small building, with outlying yards, 

 which can be used as a hospital and quarantine for sick animals and 

 also serve as a pathological and anatomical laboratory, in partial 

 furtherance of the primary object of the park — the advancement of 

 science. It is hoped that funds can be spared to begin upon this 

 structure, the importance of which is very great, during the ensuing 

 year. 



The economy of establishing a central heating plant has long been 

 recognized, but this feature has also been delayed for the reasons 

 already stated. A beginning was made, however, during the past 

 year, the boilers being placed in an extension of the temporary work- 

 shop and connections made with the three nearest buildings. 



Congress has recently authorized the construction of streets at 

 short distances from the western and southeastern boundaries of 

 the park, and it seems especially desirable that the intervening strips 

 of land be purchased for addition to the park. On one side the 

 projected street is close to the edge of a steep slope within the park, 



