Smyrna times., 1886-05-19
The Philadelphia Zoo.

The beautiful garden of the Philadel-
phia Geological Society has, ever since
its establishments in 1874, grown steadily
in popular appreciation as a place of
resort for excursion parties from the
cities and towns within reach. The
opportunity which it affords, bob to
children and those of mature wears. for
obtaining Il familiar knowledge of the
varied forms of life which abound un-
der nature in all portions of the earth,
combined with the pleasurable acces-
sories of trees, foliage, and many pro-
ducts of the gardeners art, render it
specially well adapted to such pur-
pose.
The Garden covers about thirty-five
acres of ground, beautifully situated on
the bank of the Schuylkill River, Just
below Girard Avenue Bridge, and is,
in fact, the southern extremity of West
Fairmount Park. A considerable part
Of the enclosure was originally the es-
tate of John Penn, a grandson of the
founder of the Commonwealth, whose
mansion" Solitude "-still stands, un-
altered about the middle ofthe grounds.
The laying out of the Garden, with
the buildings and enclosures for ami
mails, represents an outlay of nearly
half million dollars. The collection
of animals, which is the primary object
of the establishment, has been selected
with view to the educational facilities
which can be afforded in no way but
by grouping together living specimens,
and is justly regarded as not only by
far the best in this country, but as of
equal rank with the best of the long
established institutions Of like nature
in Europe, where almost each city has
its geological garden for the recreation
and instruction of its people.
The buildings are striking instances
of the adaptation which may be reached
between architectural effect and prac-
teal fitness for the special purpose of
their erection. The CarnivOra House
is a massive structure of brick, over
two hundred feet long, surrounded by
outside cages for summer use on one
side, while on the other is a terrace of
stone, with beds containing a great va
riety of tropical cactus, and a fountain
basin filled with many kinds of color
ed water-lilies.
1t contains many specimens of the
lion, tiger, leopard, puma, hy9na, and
all the large carnivora, beside, sun
bears, pOrcupines, and many other
animals.
The Elephant House, the largest and
most costly of the buildings, contains
number of elephants, the enormous
Indian rhinOceros, hippopotamus, zebra,
tapirs, sc. In front is a large stone
tank in which the elephants are bathed
every afternoon during warm weather,
affOrding by their clumsy sport while
in the water a nevcr-ceasing source of
amusement to the gathered crowd.
The Deer House, in front of which
are the seal-ponds, contains a number
Of deer and antelope, mainly from
Africa and South America; also, kan
| garOOs, Ostriches, cassowaries, emus,
and the brush-turkey. The rare and
interesting chimpanZee, which, next to
the gorilla, is the largest among apes,
is also kept in this building.
The new Aviary, at the southern
end Of the grounds, is filled with a col
lection, mostly of tropical birds, tou-
cans, parrots, macaws, &c, whose bril-
liant colOrs show in the airy and sun
lit building like the gorgeous shades of
beds of variegated flowers.
The pOlar-bear pen; the pits for 9TH
er bears; the deer park; the iron cat
tle-pens; the enclosures for camels,
llamas, elk and buffalo; the prairie
dog village, pheasant cages, lake for
swans, ducks and geese; the beaver
pond, eagle aviary, with the large
Monkey House, are scattered through
out the grounds, and afford material to
occupy a full day in a careful inspec-
ton. Guide-books giving full descrip-
tiOns Of the animals are sold at the
gates for fifteen cents.
Especial attention isgivcn to garden
ing, both landscape and ornamental,
and the effects produced by the extern
sive display of all varieties is probably
not surpassed in this country.
The Garden is intersected every
where by broad and well-kept asphalt
walks, we'll shaded by trees and lined
with benches; while the buildings
scattered through the grounds afford
quick and commOdiOus shelter in case
of sudden storm. There is a consider
able space at the southern end where
children can play and amuse them
selves upon the grass.
Order and quiet are always MAIN
!
with the management to make of the
Garden Il resort which women and
children could frequent unaccompan-
led, without fear of molestation or
hindrance. This is rendered easy by
the fact that liquor of no kind is sold
or allowed on the grounds. There is a
large restaurant at which meals can al
ways be procured at low prices, and at
which special arrangements and rates
can be procured for large parties who
do not care to bring their refreshments
and rates can be procured for large par
ties who do not care to bring their re-
freshments with them.
Quick and easy means of transit are
at hand to all points about the city.
The Geological Garden Station, on the
Pennsylvania Railroad, is directly
at the north gate, and is within six
minutes ride of the Broad Street Sta
tiOn and the new Public Buildings.
The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
has II station at Giard Avenue, within
five minutes reach of the Garden.
Steamers ply on the SchuylIill River
from the water-wOrks, nearly opposite,
to the WissahickOn, stopping every
few moments at the Garden, and street
cars run to all parts of the city.
Although the Garden is maintained
altogether for the purposes of the pub
lie, it does not receive financial aid
from any outside source, and'a fee for
admission is therefore necessary for
its uppOrt--twenty-fv cents for
adults and ten cents for children being
! the lowest general rate found practical
BILE. To excursion parties from outside
Of the city, however, special reduced
rates are given to bring the Garden
within reach of those from Il distance.
These rates can be procured either per-
sOnally or by letter to the Superinten-
dent of the Garden, or in connection
with rates of transportation, from the
General Ticket Agents of the Pennsyl-
vania and the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad Companies.
The Garden is open every day from
A. NJ, until half an hour before sunset
There is "cOrner" in peppermint,
which is all the more deplorable just rs
we are on the verge of the green fruit
season when colicky pains are more
liable than at any other period of the
year. The price has advanced Is per
cent. with every prospect of a further
rise, and it is said that druggists and
saloon-keepers view the situasion with