New-York tribune., 1871-06-15

+
made was also IN bad condition the center Of IT. hed
with deos and derrcbs, had been unfinished state
for long period IL had been used short time, and
found 70 pe . eaky a. ia be UNFIT for the purposes in
stone ourh surrounding it had parted joints and
was difficult TO remedy this defect in the basin Of the
INTO proper condition without delay.
THE BELvEDERE.
Inc next most important structure in progress upon
the Park considered Beivcdere, at the
head of the Rambe and at the SOUTH corner OF the
style OF architecture Upon examining it, II was obvious
that 1t would be impossible to find any other locality In
sructon Of building the plan proposed than at this
point Besides this. the design very costly In ITSELF
the work appeared questionable The construction fund
the tour
Of this work alone upon the plan proposed would nave
therefore. TO eliminate from the plan every item OF ex-
travagance that could be avoided consistent Win the
after consulting the Arc6itectn-Chief it deter
mined to omit the construction OF one OF the towers tne
cost of which estimated at fifty thousand dollars In
lieu Of this economical. and yet as harmonious
structure substituted which is far better adapted
for the ultimate purposes Intended and WILL DC iouha
quite as satisfactory to the public.
THE CONSERVATORY.
Seventy fronting on the Ffthavenue. The
employees of the late Commissioners were at work upon
it when this Department entered upon s duties They
proceeding in accordance with ground plan in
their possession. Considering that such building was
necessary the prosecution OF work nj accordance with
this plan directed 1t being assumed that general
plan for the superstructure had been made to continue
the work when the foundation should be erected " ts
proper hight II was soon discovered that apart from
plan existing for the superstructure
STABLES.
There also in course of construction the Stahes
on the transverse road at Eightyxth street Their
foundations had just been laid and the principal WORK
speedily completing this building apparent TO any
who VISITED the miserable sheds and coverings in The
Park where the horses belonging TO II had been Kept IL
has been occupied for several months.
DAIRY-HoUsE.
The remaining structure III progress was the Dalry-
house adjacent to the road at sixtynith
street, in very inappropriate location IL Is hidden
leads from the main drive so tat the criticism Is
often popularity made that Dairy Building intended lof
have placed there. OF course 1t was necessary TO
complete it according 70 thS fCy ae2aab P # has been
finished in accordance with the plans OF those WHO con
that this ineonsderable building has cost about fifty
thousand dollars nearly all of 1t expended before TINS
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ENTERPRISE.
There also at this time building an extensive foun
southwest end Of the park upon The Eighth
avenue side, and sxtythTd street Intended ior
building in which should be exhibited specimens of an
eS Of 10 PTSesoT 'e RaTEns The first inquiry
being TO the probable cost Of the proposed building,
the Department informed that the foundation lad
already required the expenditure Of thirty thousand dol
lars The late Commissioners only possessed ground
plans together with an incomplete study Tor the eA
ror or elevation Of the proposed building. Inc eaIaS
aud with the aid Of architects, assisted by Professor
Hawkins interior adapted TO the purposes intended
next procured when the least sum required to complete
the proposed building exclusive OF any thlng beyond
plain interior finish, found TO be about SS0OOO4
which was deemed too great sum 10 expend upon
buiding devoted wholly TO paleOntOlOgy-a science
NOT TO Justify so great a public expense for T..
Illustrating II; and certainly not until the living LIMA
for. Ii suggested, however, TO inquire what Good
be done if portion Of the building could be devoted 80
the proposed purpose in limited OegTec, and teI-
mainder to grand aquarium. New pidhs oomOlung
these two features were then prepared OF a hes e'-
| nglt4V -tl
Somdetio5 o. desi@ned and lad "Iin, TO uS p.,n
fOrm any structure that would be desirable. at e-s
cost than two hundred and fity thousand dolals who
with the greatest care and economy III TIE in'ct.
would swell the to nearly three Lundr tlDu ~
dollars, about the sum required oy the original y,3'.
The construction of any such building % Tci.re
abandoned and it deemed best TO nl in a4u tO.rr
up the foundations rather than to expend mor D.oy
the proposed point the buildings would be linr VIII
the exterior streets and interfere with the 'elt oi
property owner upon the avenue to e1oJ the ird 40
free view Of the Park. The right t. All uuot> Gc'd
beneh hts and advantages for Which the aveur owner -
been assessed Wherefore the Deparhl D.. it 81. h
point than it would otherwise have had.
THE SHEEP.
More than two hundred sheep, under the cnar az ~
ployes, were in the Park with ho sheher i4oNlta ~
cept temporary sheds The ground OF ths Fk "a'' II
ermined 20 improve by erection Of proper "utHcr
II prepared plans aud commenced he ereet"h o. ,Le,
of sheep that will sheep culture 20 "e'e
attractive feature OF the PARK Ihs s4,'IIl 10 no"
tranyerse road No l. at sixty-eighth when
finished and occupied must prove great -.'.N non 10
THE ARSENAL MUSEUM
There not however, az before Indicated any Work
that seemed TO demand attention than the cleans
ing Of the Museum building, and the preparation OF SUIT
able a. recommendations for the various animals in places
where they could not be offensive. Before the close Of
the Summer Of 1870 the animals and birds we're securely
housed and Gagged various buildings adapted 10 their
wants and comfort and constructed by this Department
series Of buildings surround the Museum, and are
ornamental in design and convenient 10 the pupne;
There are one for the canvOra for the birds and
monkeys; openair sheds Tor the bears wolves, &C;
roomy and openar cages for the eagles domestic f3ws
sc an inclOsed building for elephants, canes and va
rous tropical animals and in process OF erection at the
tended for carniyora. tropical cattle, DC. -,
To these buildings and sheds as last as eonpeed, al
the animals and BIRDS in the Museum were transferred
and the premises formerly used for them were suitably
adapted for Offices Of OF the Depsrthent
and OF the clerks All these buildings are heSted 10y
steam generated in the basement OF the Museum
distance Of three or four hundreA feet Thus there is
afforded a uniform and easily regulated heat IN each
building and security against hre an important cOnsd
GRAFTON, In respect TO the valuable property now Ia the
building ,,- ,,,4. =, 49,. .
as already mentioned many unpacked cases containing
specimens Intended for the Museum OF Natural History
and design for the purpose constructed by this De
partment, and the specimens may DOW be seen upon the
consist Of elegant designs in buterDut,Wood trimmed
with black walnut and lifted with English pategiass;
altogether presenting an agreeable ana interesting ap
pearance which Is unsurpassed Dy any eAhlDon vi nhe
character and extent ahd commensurate with the Wishes
Of the enterprsng Trustees. For some time the Mete-
oroiogical Bureau OF the Department an Important
branch Of work. under the charge of Professor ORA
per- has been located this building. His interesting
report IL annexed.
Several Of the rooms in this part of the building have
been also appropriated for the of the CuraOrs OF the
Museum with every convenience necessary for prepar
ing adapting and arranging specimens for exhibition.
AT TIE southerly end is office for the Of the
Trustees OF the Museum Of Natural History; also
Tor the Chief Landscape Gardner, together with Offices
Tor the use Of the Commissioners. The basement floor
has been fitted for the pur Of the police including
general office for transacting the business Of the
| bureau.
BIOLOGICAL GARDEN.
1t was stated in the Reports OF the late Commissioners
that they had established a Geological Garden in Man
haitian square. By reference 70 topog graphical survey
thereuntO attaohed II VIII be perceived thai this square
h about u in extent OF II rocky enme nar.