The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-24
The Curator of Golden Gate Park
Talks of Valuable
Gems.
REDUCINGeeTH PARK FORCE
Contributions of Very Rare Specimens
to the Museum-Planting Califor.
MIA Wild Flowers.

"1t is small, but said Curator Will
comb of the Park Museum yesterday as he
took from small box very small paper
parcel and laid it before reporter for
IHE CALL. On opening it he disclosed an
oval shaped, highly polished apple green
stone, just large enough to mount in
marquise ring.
''Ihat," continued the curator sis a
gem, and a rare one at that. 1t is
chrysoprase, variety of chalcedony OF
great value and an ornamental stone, and
one that is aawless and fit for mounting in
a ring is worth from $50 to 500. These
gems are often set in circlets of diamonds
or pearls, and on account of the color and
rarity are highly priced by those who can
become possessed of them. As said be-
fore, they are found now only in Siberia.
An inferior quality was found in Vermont,
and at one time chrysoprase was found in
Lower Silesia, Prussia, and search for it
was encouraged by Frederick the Great.
''Its fine color is due to nickel, and
where this was found in Tuiare County
found some free nickel. Some time ago a
small piece of greenish rock was handed
nae, and l at once recognized 1t as chrysO-
prase, and learned that it had been picked
up by a boy who was carrying chain for
struck him as being pretty. Being a
mineralogist, went prospecting where the
piece was found, and after a time found
some of the gem formation.
Recently gentleman named Drawer
man discovered some chrysoprase some
where in that county and sent it to Tiffany
| OF New York. The house notified him to
send on all he could secure, as it was equal
| to that from Siberia"
If the discovery alluded to by Mr.. Will
comb is an extensive one it will open an
other industry in this State, and if free
nickel is found in Tulare County that
certainly is an indication that there must
| be a mine of it near where this was OBJ
| tanned. Chrysoprase is found only in
| pockets, which are often far apart.
| During the week more than 5000 people
visited the PARK Museum and Yesterday it
was crowded all day long. Recent addi-
| tons to the exhibits are silver bronze
| vase donated by ]. L.. Bardwell, curl
ously engraved gourd also donated by Mr..
Bardwell
| The roof timbers have been placed in
| the annex to the museum, and workmen
williwork to-day on the interior.
Professor F. Gruber. the naturalist at
the museum, was in happy frame of mind
yesterday, and took pride in pointing out
a number of rare specimens received re-
Gently. Among the number is a double
pronged deerhorn donated by Donald
Ross, who shot the animal from whose
head it was taken in Mehdocino County.
This is said to be very rare specimen.
Mr.. Ross also donated a common barn
yard rooster that is remarkable from the
fact that he has spurs i've and one-six-
teenth inches in length. From Mrs.
Handy he received an ashv petrol and a
| cassin aux from the Farallon Islands, both
| very rare birds. a male and female black
rail from India, red cock of the rocks, q
plantin eater from Africa, brush star
| ling, also from Africa, nut grosbec from
/ the Galapagos Islands, pied fantail,
| song bird from New Zealand, a white
| throated swallow from the interior of this
| State and crimson parrot from New
| Guinea. Some of these are extremely rare
and not to be found in other collections in
the United States.
| The new bicycle road has been fully
| graded, and it will soon be macadamized.
Superintendent McLaren has caused to
| be sown on both sides of the south drive a
quantity of seeds of California wild how-
ers, and if these sprout, grow and flower
| new beauties will be added to the park.
A number of these seeds are from the won
| drous wild-dower region in SIskiyou
County, under the shadow of snow-capped
| Shasta.
| The work of cutting the tunnel across
the main drive is almost finished and the
new road from the east tunnel to the
aviary is being graded. Much necessary
work has been done of late. and as it Is
completed the working force will be re-
duced. When the loan and sweepings
| were being hauled into the park and the
alteration of the grand court was started,
I the working force was increased from 160
to 27S. When the hauling of loan and
sweepings ceased on the 1st of February
and some of the grading had been finished
| the force was reduced to 20S and during
| the month was not increased. 1t will be
| further reduced as work in hand is
finished. Superintendent McLaren, who
appoints and discharges the men, said
yesterday that they were not questioned
as to politics, influence or the like, but
were appointed upon their recommends
| ton as workmen and if found not COM
| petent were let out.
| The attendance yesterday was very large
and there were more vehicles and cyclers
than have been on the drives for many
| Sundays. The crowd in front of the
bandstand was unusually large and en-
| thusiastic.
The crowd at the ocean beach
was so great at one time during
| the afternoon that it was almost i'm
possible to move on the grade between the
Cliff and the terminus of the Park and
| Ocean Railroad.
More than 1000 people witnessed the as
cension. OF Robert Earlston from the
| Halght-street grounds yesterday after
noon. The ascent was pretty and sue
cessful one, but as Earlston rose he did
not feel as comfortable as when he left the
grounds. He was seized with cramps in
the legs and lost no time IN cutting loose
and coming down. When he reached the
ground near Stanyan ana Waller streets
| he remained on the ground nearly ten
minutes before he could rise.
/