New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
FINE QUARTERS FOR BEASTS.
WORK ON THE NETWORK GEOLOGICAL
PARK WELL ADVANCED.

Judging from the rapidity with which the work
upon 1t has been pushed during the last five
Six months the NewYork Geological Park, at
One hundred and eighty ythird-st and the South
Boulevard. will soon become a reality. in
stead of remaining merely 4 much-talked-of
project with an uncertain future. Owing TO
lack of money for ground improvements. all
work upon the park had 10 he postponed for
many months. but the patience OF the New
York Geological Society was finally rewarded
On July - last the Board of Estimate OF the
city appropriated Sc. 900. making it Immediately
available for expenditure by the Commissioners
OF Parks for the Borough of The Bronx.
The Geological Soccty's plans for work upon
the grounds promptly approved By the
Park commissioners. and operations were he
gun without lc!ay. Meanwhile the society fol-
lowed the oi,y's appropriation by making one
OF the same amount. so that by the carly part
OF Angus, l2t0O0 was available for the i'm
provemenis In the December number CT The
News Bulletin" Of the Geological Society a full
and interesting count is given of the progress
which has beon made since then II should b.
mentioned by the way that on November IL
thr society added 81 900 20 its original appro-
priation in order to complete some Of the build
lngs and prosecute the work on others as rap
Idly Is possible
AT The present time ;hc ckhousc. which was
begun on August II. is entirely finished. with
the exception nf the placing of the bark COW
cred slabs II is odd yet pleasing in design. and
fits harmoniousl. into the general plan of TN"
elk range. Temporary use is now being found
for il as a place for Offices and workshops. The
birdr0use y rcaLy To receive its roof. and the
reptiie- house has advanced as far as the com
piction Of the foundation wallis and the laying
OF tn. steel loo, beams Excavations for the
first series OF bear dcns have been finished. ana
much of the work pf construction has been he-
gun. These Enclosures for the bears. with their
large paved yards. h1thing-p pools. ironwork upon
which the beasts may climb and wooden sleep
ine -,lens ar among he most Interesting Of tht
park features.
For the ducks asiary the ponds have been
dag ana three islands have been constructed i'll
taern The prairie dogs knoll. which is circular
Ia form and eighty feet in diameter. has been
incosed by a stone wall which goes down to the
bedrock Eight wolf and fox dcns are well
urder way and slecpng-den FOL the wolves
has been built The pheasants aviary mas been
supplied with the large amount Of sandy earth
necessary for the runwoys by haN ing this trans
ported from the excavations at the pear de'is'
thus making one piece OF work serve Two pur-
poses. All tn" cNcaNatinS required ioi 'h' ""i-
falo- house and f,r The heaver-pond has been
finished ana something has been done toward
the construction Of the aquatic rodents pond
and the mountain Sleeps shelter.
But the members Of The society feel that in
order to open tho park in n pro- and digni-
fed manner several other buildings and install
lations are urgently needed Foremost among
these they place a monkey house and an ante
q, I, cI,nlt
houses for deer ana moose aviares aud pools
for otters and sca-ons. IL is hoped that money
for these purposes VIII speedily be provided.
The reptile house. from its novelty and the
fact that it will be one of the most attractive
buildings IN the park. deserves especial notice.
There is probably less general knowledge of the
reptile family than Of any otncr part Of the
faura of North America Living reptiles are
hard to find and good collections OF them are
rare BIT there has recently been manifested a
new interest in them. and The geological Park
will devote much space and attention To their
display. The reptile house. tho foundations of
which as has been mentioned are already laid.
Is situated at the edge of forest Of great
oaks near the centre Of the park. Close by the
southeast corner Of the building is a natural
pool in the granite rock. which will be used as
q summer hOme for the saurians.
The entire length Of the reptile house is II"
feet and It's greatest width 100 feet. 1t will be
made Of buff mottled brick combined with
granite and terra-cOtta. The entire cost. with
the cages will il is believed be SIOo0o Tne
great central hall. uhbroken by columns. opens
across the crocodile pool. with its huge sand
bank through three arches, into the dense green