Carnegie Institution of Washington 



NUTRITIOX LABORATORY 

 Vila Street, Boston, Massachusetts 



April 29, 1<»21. 

 Professor Hexrt Fairfield Osborx, 



President, New York Zoological Society, 

 New York City. 



My Dear Professor Osborn : 



As you are aware, the Nutrition Laboratory has been actively engaged 

 in studying the metabolism, particularly the carbon-dioxide production and 

 oxygen consumption, of various lower animals at the New York Zoological 

 Park for the greater part of the past five years. During this time we have 

 been in intimate association particularly with Mr. Raymond L. Ditmars and 

 his associates, whUe this last year we have been identified with Mr. Crandall 

 and his birds. 



For a number of reasons it is necessary for us to withdraw our ap- 

 jiaratus and assistant from the Park on or about August 1st, next, and in 

 thus concluding essentially five years' investigation, I Avish to express to 

 you the great appreciation that I feel with regard to the wholly extraordi- 

 nary spirit of cooperation which has permeated the entire Park from its 

 most efficient Director, Dr. Hornaday, down to the most recent keeper of 

 animals. Every one has shown us the greatest courtesy and consideration 

 possible. A more perfect spirit of cooperation could hardly be imagined. 



It is impossible at this date to give any hint as to the great scientific 

 importance of the results thus far obtained. They will need a great deal 

 of computing before ready for final analysis, but it is safe to say that no- 

 where on the face of the earth has there been such an extensive study of 

 cold-blooded animals, particularly serpents and probably birds, as we have 

 been able to make, thanks to the cooperation of the staff of the New Y''ork 

 Zoological Park. 



The fact that an institution of this kind makes possible a great edu- 

 cational factor in natural history and zoology and, at the same time, makes 

 it possible to contribute extensively to our knowledge of the physiology' of 

 the lower animals, is a most happy circumstance. This latter factor is 

 only too frequently overlooked in the organization of large institutions like 

 the Zoological Park, and hence I think it is especially to be commented on 

 and accentuated. 



It is difficult to single out individuals, where so much courtesy has 

 been shown us, but we have been especially favored by, and have had to 

 draw very freely upon the time of Head Keeper Charles D. Snyder of the 

 Reptile Department, and his successor in that position, John Toomey. En- 

 tirely aside from the immediate assistance rendered in connection with the 

 handling, transportation, and use of the several animals, I have been in 

 constant communication with Mr. Ditmars regarding all matters pertaining 

 to the natural history of the animals we have been working Avith, and I 

 have found him wonderfully conversant with their life and characteristics. 

 It is needless to say that without Dr. Hornaday 's sympathetic and wholly 

 exceptional scientific appreciation of work of this kind we could not have 

 carried out our investigations as long as we liave and not worn out our wel- 

 come. It is only with the greatest regret that we withdraw from the Park 

 at the completion of this year's Avork. 



I am, 



Very truly yours, 



Francis G. Ben-edict, 



Director. 



