The sun., 1896-12-12
4 GREAT BIOLOGICAL GARDEN.
To he Equal to Any, tho Society Says. II
Land in Bronx Park LIS Set Aside for It.

A committee of the New York Geological
Society. consisting of Prof. Henry It. Osborn OF
Columbia University, Philip Schuyler, G.
Grant La Fargo, Madison Grant. and William
t. Horpaday, met committee OF the sinking
Fund Commission in Comptr oller Fitch's Of
fco yesterday and formally asked for the ses-
ting aside Of POI acres OF land In Bronx Park
on which the society proposes TO build n great
geological park. The members of the commit
teo said that the society would raise S250.000
for tho purpose and that they would collect
100000 of shis sum soon as the necessary
land was set aside for the park. The land
which the society desires is situated south of
Pelham avenue and on both sides of the old
Boston road.
One important reason for the choice Of that
section, the members of the committee said,
Is that IL contains several open areas in which
all the large buildings could be erected with
out destroying any OF tho trees or shrubs, and
because q semblnnce of tho natural haunts OF
wild animals can be secured by the adapta-
tion of natures handiwork rather than by the
slow and costly process of artificial creation.
Other parks in the annexed district. they said,
possess greater landscape possibilities, but the
rite chosen Is peculiarly fitted for geological
garden on q large scale. Ita water supply is
the best OF any OF the northern parks AMI its
said, could be made great resort for the peo-
plo OF the city. 1t is the intention Of the So
ciety to have IL open to the puUlc at least six
days In the week. one OF tbs days being Sun
day.
In connection with this request for land the
members OF tho committee stated that Will
liam 7. Hornaday had spent several months
abroad this summer. and during that time he
had vis ted and inspected tho geological gardens
in London, Hanover. Berlin, Dresden, Paris,
and other large cities. He found that all snVc
two were under the management and control
of Driyat0 societies and ClrpOrAtiOnS, A Ant
wcrp. Rotterdam, and Ans terdaID the gardens
aie wholly owned by the societies, and resi-
dents who are not members are not permit led
to enter evan BY payment save on two days OF
each year when the poorer people are allowed
TO visit the gardens at 10 cents head.
The committee assured the Sinking Fund
Commissioners that II the land desired were set
aside for tlcm they would build n geological
garden equal to any In the world, provided
that the city Is willing to take care OF Il after
to disturb the present menagerie in Central
Park, and 1t is the intention OF the members
to supply an entire new collection OF animals
and TO exhibit them as nearly as possible in
attention would also be given to the preserva-
tion OF native game.
Comptroller Fitch and City Chamberlain
McCooS. who listened TO the request OF the
committee. refused to Give definite answer
TO the proposition. They said that they would
make report to the full Commission AT its
next meeting.
By the terms of the act of Incorporation OF
the Geological Society the Sinking Fund -om-
missioners are empowered to make II an allot-
ment from any OF the land belonging to the
Park. AS soon any land is set apart the
Mayor and the President OF the Park Board
become ex'officto mem oers OF the hoard OF
Managers Of the society. Andrew II. Green
was the President OF to society until Thurs
| day. when he resigned on account of III health,
and his successor has not yet been chosen.