The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-13
A Reminder of the First Vigil
lance Committee Presented
to the Museum.
A PECULIAR BALLOON FLOWER
Kanakas in the Surf Near the Cliff
House-Mayor Sutro Spontaneously
Cheered-The Chutes.

Superintendent McLaren of Golden Gate
Park is a man who is great admirer of
nature and who has an eye for natural
beauties, and more than that he is prac-
tical man who knows where art may as
sist and improve natures work
He is firm believer in the necessity of
parks for the people, and next to parks he
believes that they ought to have drives.
While it is true that the main park is one
OF the finest in the United States, there is
lack of fine drives and many persons
who would locate in San Francisco fail to
do so on account of lack of roads over
which they could drive, and seek homes
in territory across the bay.
Superintendent McLaren has an idea that
at a comparatively small cost a new drive
could be built which would not only prove
an additional attraction to the City, but be
the means of developing a section of
country that is little known.
This road" said Mr.. McLaren, could
connect with Golden Gate Park at Seventh
avenue. 1t could be built so as to run
SOUTH then along little creek, through a
canyon where there is an easy, natural
grade, pass by that large cluster of euca-
lyptus trees that is visible to any one rid
ing on the San Mateo electric line of cars,
and connect with the road leading TO the
House of Correction and from there to the
Mission district. That could be made
cross country drive about nine miles in
length one that has much wild natural
rock scenery, and one which for the most
part would have the advantage of being
sheltered from the high winds which pre-
vail at times.
1.-The people in the East appreciate the
value OF good roads, and they are spending
money to make such, in order to keep
people within the territory in which they
run. By that means people are prevented
from going to other sections where there
are fine and attractive drives. To me it is
astonishing that the matter has not been
agitated long ago.
The animal family in the Park is still on
the increase. Last week there was an ad-
dition in the deer park of two does and a
baby elk, making seven births in the Zoo
within three weeks, land the way things
is running" said the policeman in that
section of the Park, II don't know how
many more there's going to be before
summer is over" The baby buffalo was
out from under cover yesterday, and he
was watched by large number of people.
As yet the Commissioners have not laid
out any work for the future, but they are
busy examining plans, one in particular,
that for the proposed bridge on the main
drive over the large tunnel recently COM
pleted.
During the past week the museum has
been enriched by number of curiosities.
One is a certificate of mem bership in the
cisco. 1t is printed on blue paper, bears
date OF June 9, 1856, and the signature of
Selim E. Woodw orth, president, and Isaac
Biuxome Jr., secretary, and was issued to
l.. E. Wakeman. This, with other his
torlc papers. an eskimo canoe, covered
with walrus SKINS and a pair of Alaskan
snowshoes were contributed by Colouel A.
S. Hubbard.
+. II. Latin donated a number of BIRDS
eggs. J. L. Bardwell turned in number
of tTpln 4
sIlver-covered goblets or chalices, two
fancy birch boxes covered with porcuplne
quilts. peculiarly shaped bottle made by
the Haida Indians on Queen Charlotte
Island and very large tortoise shell.
J. u. Davis has donated to the museum
more than a hundred Indian specimens,
which for long time he had on exhibit
ton in the Mining Bureau in this City
The walks in front of the new lodge in
the park have been covered with a coating
OF coarse gravel, mixed with broken sea-
shells from the ocean beach. This has
proved so satisfactory that it is probable
gravel OF this character will be used as a
top dressing Tor the footpaths in the park.
In the conservatory, Head Gardener Hol-
brow is happy because he has mum Der of
new blossoms to display. One is in the
circle under the dome. 1t is the flower of
q very attractive growth, native of Bra
zil, the leaves of which are remarkable for
their many perforations. The flower, which
is nearly ten inches long, is cream white,
in some places nearly an inch thick and
looks very much like ar immense I'M
opened magnolia with quarter section
sliced OF from top to bottom. Within 1t
there is large growth that, when the
flower withers, ripens and tastes like a
mealy apple. ''It's edible,' said Mr..
Holbrow, "but / do not think any one
called the Monstera Deliciosa, or
delicious monster, is a creeper in
South America, clinging to trees as does the
common IVY The uppermost leaves are
sometimes a hundred feet above the
ground. From various heights on the pa
rent stem there spread tendriIs the thick
ness OF finger, the ends of which reach
and bury themselves i'll the ground. By
means OF them person may climb to the
top as easily as sailor can climb up the
shrouds of vessel.
There was the usual large crowd at
"Sutroville- by-the-Sea," and those who
visited the baths were entertained with
racing in the big tank. trapeze perform
ances over the water, the wonderful per-
formances by Nine Wiz and trained
cockatoos.
During the afternoon Mayor Sutro
descended TO the platform where bsthers
only are allowed, and while standing
there he was greeted with ''hurrahs" from
the bathers, cheers from men in the GAL
leries and the waving of handkerchief by
1t was sort OF spontaneous ovation, and
the Mayor acknowledged it by gracefully
raising his hat and bowling TO those who
thus Unexpectedly honored him.
AT o'clock in the afternoon there was
an immense crowd on the pier of the
Olympic Salt Water Company and on the
beach near it. Two Kanakas were swim.
ming in the surf just for exercise. They
appeared as much at ease in the heavy
breakers as if they had been in the smooth
est water.
At the Haight-street grounds there was
greater crowd yesterday afternoon thai
has been there for some time. The Casino
was crowded to its utmost capacity by
those who wanted TO witness the excellent
vaudeville performance presented. The
evidences of the recent fire are rapidly dis
appearing, and all day yesterday force o
men were making repairs so that the
scenic railway may be in running ordei
tomorrow.
Some of the grades are being slightly
altered, and the tunnel, which was owe