498 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1926 
HISTORY 
The Swiss National Park was actually founded in 1914, but years 
before, the idea that such an institution was desirable had been agi- 
tated by many lovers of nature. At the end of the last century 
Switzerland, like many other countries, began to give expression 
to its love for its natural beauties and its traditions. During the 
first decade of the present century this feeling grew, and it became 
evident that the natural treasures of the country must be protected 
in some way. Agricultural exploitation, the invasion of tourists, the 
mania for collecting specimens, the growing passion for hunting, 
were recognized by the Helvetic Society of Natural Sciences as being 
a great menace to the flora and fauna of the country. In 1906 this 
society formed a special commission for the protection of nature, 
which aimed at preventing destruction wherever it might threaten 
and preserving those natural monuments which represented scien- 
tific interest. ‘This commission became most active, it formed can- 
tonal subcommissions, acquired all kinds of natural monuments and 
got the cantons to enforce legislation for the protection of the flora. 
However, success was only partial, and it was seen that in spite of 
much enthusiasm and propaganda it would be necessary to create 
large inclosures where natural beauties would be absolutely pro- 
tected. ‘To Doctor Coaz, General Inspector of Forests, must be given 
the credit for first having suggested the district where the national 
park is now located. In 1905 he published an article describing his 
visit to Val Scarl, some three years before, in which he depicts the 
wild beauty of Val Cluoza, the former home of bears. The Cluoza 
and Scarl Valleys were the last places in Switzerland in which bears 
had been seen, and Doctor Coaz believed that through their disap- 
pearance the country had lost a certain trait and tradition. He 
thought that the region should be made into a refuge for bears and 
local proprietors indemnified for whatever damage they might do. 
The Society of Physics and Natural History of Geneva succeeded 
in interesting the Federal authorities in the idea of natural in- 
closures. In a note addressed to the Federal Council in 1907 it 
protested against the construction of a railroad up the Matterhorn 
and added that Switzerland should follow the example of the 
United States of America and shut off inclosures of geographical 
and geological interest for the free play of nature undisturbed by 
man. The Federal authorities showed themselves disposed to favor 
the idea, and in a general conference which followed between the 
various societies the appropriateness of the Fuorn region was again 
pointed out. During the summer of 1908 two members of the Hel- 
vetic Society of Natural Sciences set out to explore the district. 
They returned most enthusiastic over the beauties of Val Mingér, 
