FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. 57 



On January ist the reptilian collections of the Zoological Park- 

 consisted of the following: 



Species. Specimens. 



Crocodilia i i8 



Chelonia 22 85 



Lacertilia 12 65 



Ophidia, venomous 11 51 



" non-venomous 33 186 



Amphibia 13 40 



Total 92 445 



Snuunary of Live Animals on hand January i, 1900. 



Species. Specimens. 



Mammals 44 151 



Birds 43 185 



Reptiles 92 445 



Total 179 781 



FORESTRY, GARDENING, AND PARK SERVICE, 



The amount and variety of work performed during the year 

 by Chief Forester Hermann W. Merkel and his force was very 

 great. Under the spur of imperative necessity, and to meet the 

 demands of each week, a large force of laborers, skilled and un- 

 skilled, was placed at Mr. Merkel's disposal, and by him kept 

 very busily engaged until the exhaustion of the maintenance fund 

 rendered it necessary to dispense with twenty-three men out of 

 thirty. 



To many of those who visited the Park during the working 

 season of 1899, and observed the chaos which then prevailed, it 

 seemed impossible that it could be reduced to order before the 

 opening day. The amount of work required to smooth up the 

 grounds after the various kinds of contract-work had been com- 

 pleted was really enormous ; and, unfortunately, this work was 

 of such a peculiar nature, and the requirement for the exercise of 

 artistic taste and expert judgment was so constant, it was impos- 

 sible for it to be specified and performed by contract. In the 

 matter of road and v/alk making, the contractor's duties extended 



