The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-30
By FREDERIC j. HASKIN.

The question Of what shall be done TO
stimulate interest in geological gardens in
the United States is being much discussed
among biologists, who recognize the edu-
cative value of exhibits of wild animals.
The interest Of enlightened peoples of tho
Old World in beasts and birds brought
from the Wilderness is as old as history.
More than thirty centuries ago the Chi
nese maintained geological gardens, known
as parks of intelligence, for the amuse-
ment and education OF the people. Baby
lon and Thebes had their menageries. /
The wealthy Greek aristocrats ornamented
their country places with Wild animals
that figured in the chase. also with orna-
mental s0ngbrds and water fowl. AS
early as l5J2 the imperial menageries Of
Ebersdorf We're established, and fights be-
tween lions were provided for the amuse-
ment Of the German princes and their
friends Another use to which animals
were put was that Of making sacrifices 20
celebrate the birth Of royal children.
When Cortez invaded Mexico the royal
geological gardens maintained by the
MOnteZumas covered an immense area, and
in the aviary alone 800 keepers were en-
ployed. Tho aquatic birds consumed 80
pounds of fish daily and birds and beasts
Of prey We're fed upon great quantities Of
poultry The AzteCs manifested not only
a keen interest in collecting birds and ami
mails, but also no little ability in attend
ing 10 them properly in captivity. The
Spaniards destroyed the Enclosures, Kill
ing many birds and animals and allowing
others TO escape, and from the first quar-
ter Of the sixteenth century until 49,
when Andrew Downs established a ZOO
logical garden at Halifax. \. s, no ex-
hibitions Of wild animals existed in North
America
In 1860 the only geological gardens In
the United States were in Baltimore and
New York A gift OF a dozen swans
from the city Of Hamburg 10 the city
of New York formed the beginning of
the Central Park Zoo" that year, but it !
was not until several years afterward /
that keepers were employed and the col |
lection of birds and animals materially /
increased. Ten years later New York |
made Chicago a present Of a pair of
swans. and the two birds formed the /
nucleus OF the Lincoln Park Geological /
Gardens. About that time Davenport, 4
Iowa, established q geological garden 1
and Philadelphia and Cincinnati followed 4
suit in 1874. As late as twenty years ago /
there were but "a dozen collections OF 1
wild animals in this country, where there /
are at present about sixty. aggregating \
1900 acres Of land, and containing be- 1
tween n,000 and 1900 animals.
Many Of the geological gardens in this 4
country have been established as she re /
suit Of Bifts Some fifteen years ago d /
publlc-spiritcd citizen presented 10 At /
lanta a fine collection of animals, and 4
Two prominent Atlanta newspapers aided I
the establishment Of the 200 by pre-
senting an elephant and a lion. The 4
present geological gardens at Buffalo re- /
suited from the donation of three half /
breed bison. one of the Gtscouraging /
misfortunes incident 10 the growth Of the I
Buffalo zoo was the loss OF two fine
black elk who fought duel to the death /
n geological garden originated in Nash /
Vile in a peculiar manner. A wild-west
show was loading when a buffalo bull \
slipped from O chute and broke his leg.
He was left 20 die, but the interest of "a /
physician was enlisted. and after the ami
nal had been given a narcotic and put
In sling, its leg was set. So many people l
rode out IL the street cars to see the
animal that the company realized the
possibility Of attracting business in this
way, and began the formation OF a me-
nagerie.
Although biologists have done much 10 |
promote interest in wild animals in this 4
country, the United States IS still much |
behind Europe IN the matter OF well /
equipped and widely distributed exhibits
Of animals. 1t IS asserted in this coun-
try that the fault lies somewhat with .
the so-called upper classes. In the
larger cities Of Europe geological gar
dens are the chief center Of attraction.
The arstocracies of birth, wealth, and
intelligence are interested in their main
tenance. The geological societies of Am
sterdam and Rotterdam each number no
less than 800 members. II IS considered
an honor TO be upon the membership
rolls, and If "a well-to-dO citizen declines
10 become member he is not admitted
10 the gardens, even upon the payment Of
a Zee. In London the king is patron of
the Geological Society. and the Prince Of
Wales is vice patron.
Many Of the geological gardens In this
country are free TO the public In Eu-l
rope none are free save the Jardin des
Plantes in Paris Some Of our geological
gardens are maintained by amusement
parks or street railways, but a majority
or them are kept up by cities The Bronx
Park Zoo IN New York and the PhiIadeI-
phia geological Gardens are kept I'D by
geological societies, while the National L
geological Park in Washington is MAIN
tanned IN part by the Federal government
under a special act Of Congress passed in
IssV- These three gardens are the usost
important in this country. from q scien-
utc standpoint.
Aside from the Jardln des Plantes me
European gardens make no concessions 10
the public except a reduction Of admission
ices on holidays and Saturdays. The re-
suit is that the poor are practically ex-
Guided. while in America they enjoy the
benefits Of the exhibitions. So great is
the crush OF people in the Jardin des
Plantes that there is often danger to the
barriers which protect the cages. Cen
orally speaking, European geological gar
dens pay dividends, while those IN Amer
lea are an expense An exception 70 the
rule IL this country is the Cincinnati Zoo
which has made money recently, although
II mas had hard times in it's career. In most
OF the gardens Of Europe the restaurant
concession pays handsomely. In Berlin
the restaurant privileges are leased f5-
Sl5OOO a year, and the restaurant is i'm
mensely popular as a dining place.
William T. Hornaday. director Of tho
New York Geological Society, and an au-
thorlty upon natural history. saws the 7
American gardens rho,,ld N,,.- ho.t 49,