Editors’ Table. 515 
EDITORS’ TABLE. 
EDITORS: E. D. COPE AND J. 8. KINGSLEY. 
The bill lately introduced in the Senate by Senator Beck to pro- 
vide for a National Zoological Park at Washington, “ for the ad- 
vancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the 
people,” is certainly a step in the right direction, and one which 
might well have been taken long ago. As might be expected, the 
plan receives the unqualified endorsement and support of the 
Smithsonian Institution and National Museum, as indeed it must 
that of all scientists, friends of science, and the general public 
throughout the country. 
The bill provides for an institution which shall be founded on a 
grand and liberal scale, and fully in keeping with the wealth, dig- 
nity and intelligence of the nation. The site is to be selected on 
Rock creek, just beyond the city limits, which would make the 
entrance to the grounds only a trifle over two miles from the Execu- 
tive Mansion. The proposed site is one of great beauty, and 
even grandeur, for at two points high walls of rocks rise out of the 
picturesque valley to a height of over eighty feet. 
_ The creek itself is a beautiful stream of very respectable propor- 
tions, describing a perfect letter S through the site to be chosen, 
and aside from its picturesque features it would afford unrivalled 
facilities for the care of aquatic mammals and birds of all kinds. 
Nearly the whole tract is covered by a fine growth of forest 
trees which, unless afforded immediate protection, is liable to be. 
Swept away by reckless real estate vandals. 
It is proposed that the Zoological Park shall be established by 
three commissioners, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 
the Secretary of the Interior and the President of the District 
of Commissioners, and when fairly established it shall be 
turned over to the perpetual custody and care of the ‘regents of 
Smithsonian. With the unrivalled facilities already enjoyed by 
the Institution through its multitude of correspondents and col- 
lectors, it would be possible to secure an immense number of val- 
uable accessions by gift, and it is estimated that fully one-half of 
all the collections could be so obtained merely by paying the cost 
of transportation. 
