Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-31
THE BIOLOGICAL PARK.
A Number Of Forcible Reasons for its
Creation.

Creation.
PROF. 9. p. LANGLEY, SECRETARY OF TIE s,urH-
soNIAS INSTITUTION, HAS SENT TIE FOLLOWING
LETTER TO THE HOUSE COMMITTED on PUBLIC
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
WASHINGTON, d. O., Jan. Is, 1885,
The Hon Samuel Dbble, House of Representa-
tdtipes.
My Dear Sir: I write what follows in ac-
cordance with the suggestion Of your yester-
days letter, intending it for your considera-
ton and that of the committee.
From all parts of the country, for many
years, presents of live animals have been made
to the government through the Smithsonian
Institution or the museum, but the absence of
any appropriation for their care has led to
their being sept away Though most reluctantly
to increase the collections of the geological
parks in Philadelphia, New York, London, and
other cities. 1t should be better known than
it is that everywhere through the country
there is a disposition on the part of private in
dividuals to give to the government in this
way, and without any expectation of return,
remarkable specimens, which the donor (very
commonly poor MANI sometimes refuses ad-
vantageous pecuniary offers for, and it seems
hard to decline gifts made in such spirit, or,
accepting them, to give them away again.
But little over year ago gave instructions
that these live specimens should be retained
temporarily. as an experiment, and although
very few have been purchased, the collection,
which is a subject of 30 much local popular
interest, has been thus formed, substantially
by gift, within perhaps fifteen months, and this
though many proffers have been declined for
want OF means to care for them. 1 am per-
susded that, if it were generally known that
the government would receive and care for
such gifts, within very few years the finest
collection of American animals in the world
might be made here in this way, with compare
lively no expenditure for purchase.
Among the many interested in the incipient
collection was Senator Beck, whose bill for the
formation of a geological park was brought
writer directed the Senator's attention to the
fact that piece of ground singularly suitable,
by the variety of its features, to the provision
for the wants of all the different kinds of
animals, existed in the picturesque valley of
Rock creek in the part nearest to the city.
Here not only the wild goat, the mountain
sheep and their congeners would find the rocky
cliffs which are their natural home, but the
beavers brooks in which to build their dams;
the buffalo places of seclusion in which to
breed and replenish their dying race; aquatic
birds and beasts their natural home, and in
general all animals would be provided for on a
site almost incomparably better than any now
used for this purpose in any other capital in
the world.
With this is the prominently important
consideration that the immediate neighbor-
hood to the city would make it accessible not
only to the rich, but to the poor, and therefore
place of recreation to the great mass of the
residents, as well as to the hundreds of thous-
ands of citizens from all parts of the country,
who now annually visit the capital.
IL NAV he addad that cn for 10 kpou-y, 70,
the writer, all those interested in the desirable
but larger plan for q public park along the
whole Rock Creek region; that is to say, all
those acquainted with the beauties and advan-
tages of the site regard the establishment of
the proposed geological park there with favor
1t is very difficult for any one who has not
visited the region to understand its singularly
attractive character, due to the good fortune
which has preserved its picturesque features
intact until now, although the growing city is
sweeping around and enveloping it.
The Smithsonian Institution has not Gus
tomarily received with favor the propositions
continually made it to place different local or
national interests under its charge, but the
very special reasons which seem in this case to
enable it to at once secure a home and city of
refuge for the vanishing races of the continent,
and place for the health and recreation of the
inhabitants Of the city and citizens Of the
United States, together with an opportunity for
the carrying out an enterprise OF national
scientific value, and the formation of what, as
regards its site at least, is the finest geological
garden in existence-all these considerations
have moved it to see in this an opportunity to
to carry out its legitimate work, 1.-THE increase
and diffusion Of knowledge among men,"
When, therefore, Senator Beck made the I'M
Outstanding that the Smithsonian institution
would accept the charge of such park, the
primary condition on which he would under
take to recommend it to Congress- the Secre-
tary felt authorized to say that he believed it
probable that the proposition would be favor
ably viewed by the regent, and the matter once
brought before Congress, he has not disguised
his own interest in the success Of the measure
The bill, brought in by Mr.. Breckenridge in
the House (and by Senator Morrill, in the SEN
ate), appropriates S2O0O 900 for the purchase of
actually most desired for the geological park
covers about 100 acres, being precisely that
portion of the Rock creek valley which will be
soonest destroyed, as regards its picturesque
and attractive features, by the laying out of
streets and lots. Nevertheless, and largely
owing to the very fact that the pic
turesqueness Of the locality implies the
existence Of rocks, precipices and valleys
which it would cost much TO level and fill in,
this land can still be obtained at rates which.
considering its neighborhood to the city, are
remarkably cheap. The most thorough exami
nation that have been able to make, the testi-
mony of various real estate experts and Others
have satisfied me that the purchase may and
will be completed for somewhat less than the
sum named in the appropriation, even leaving
small margin for the erection of a prelimi-
nary shelter for the animals
beg most respectfully to urge upon the at
tention of the committee the fact that it is at
once the strength and weakness of this meas
ure, that, so far as is known, it is an entirely
disinterested one, the real estate holders in the
vicinity being generally Indifferent or opposed
to it, for reasons which can be explained, if
desired, and that 1t is being thus pressed upon
Congress by those who have the measure at
heart. because anything that is done must be
done soon. 1t is probable that within year or
two more the good fortune which has kept
this singularly interesting spot intact, while
the growing city is encircling it, will protect it
no longer. 1t is not the mere space on the map
which is to be secured, but natural advantages
which have no relation to the number of acres,
and which cannot be restored if once destroyed,
since 1t is not in the power of Congress itself
by any expenditure Of money to recreate a rock
or a tree. am, very respectfully yours.
(Signed) S. P.LANGLEY.
Secretary.
STILL UNCERTAIN.