THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



ties. A large tank at the eastern end accommodates the 

 larger specimens and is also a nursery for many young 

 crocodiles and alligators. A stream of water thirty-five feet 

 long, with banks of earth and living plants, is divided into 

 sections for the smaller species of turtles, of which thirty or 

 more types are exhibited. The strange aquatic, soft-shelled 

 turtle is in a case at the right of the entrance. 



The batrachians or amphibians (frogs, toads, newts and 

 salamanders), Nature's half-way house between land and 

 water animals, are shown in a series of cases flanking the 

 western and eastern ends of the Turtle Pool. A few may 

 be found on the south side of the building. This collection 

 is one of the best in existence, containing nearly one hun- 

 dred different species from all over the world, some of 

 them very rare. Certain of these exhibit very interesting 

 adaptations, as the axolotl, a Mexican salamander which 

 lives in water as long as the water lasts but if this dries 

 up begins to breathe with its lungs and to walk about on 

 the land. The rare tree toads of Australia and African 

 swimming frogs are found here. 



Serpents or snakes (with some lizards) are ranged 

 around the northern and eastern sides of this hall. Of 

 these, the huge tropical boas and pythons of India and 

 Africa and the anaconda and boa constrictor of South 

 America are among the most showy of a large and inter- 

 esting series. The largest specimen is the regal python 

 of Africa, twenty-two feet long and weighing 170 pounds. 

 Other specimens are the Indian python, the garter snake, 



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