Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-28

WASHINGTON, June oG.--Just twenty
hve years ago congressional act
placed the tract OF land purchased the
previous year for a national geological
park. under the direction of the smith
sonian Institution. This land, compris-
ing about l67 acres, in what is known
as the Rock Creek Valley, is located
a short distance beyond the confines Of
the city OF Washington. Here are
housed and Corrallcd nearly 400 ami
mails, birds and reptiles from all parts
OF the world. under the care OF Dr.
Frank Baker Superintendent.
The Washington ZOO. as II is popu
larry known. is the outgrowth OF "a
small collection OF living animals
which for several years had been as
scmbied in sheds ana paddocks ada
cent TO the smithsonian building in the
Mail, where they were kept primarily
for scientific study. although. they were
a constant source OF interest to the
public DIR. Samuel Pierpont Langley,
the then secretary OF the institution.
however, desired to improve matters
both for the animals themselves and
the public, and consequently undertook
to interest Congress in "A national ZOO
logical park, with tho result mentioned
above.
His selection of location was the
one finally chosen by Congress- II
would he impossible to nnd i'm this
the preservation OF wild animals, com
bininE as IL does exposures of every
Naricty--sunny slopes and cool shady
hilisidcs, level meadows and rocky
ciins-aTordinS an abundance OF ex-
ccllent water, and sufficiently near the
city TO make II easily accessible TO the
public
The act establishing the park de-
clarcd one OF its purposes to be the
instruction and recreation of the poo
pie, which 1t serves admirably: thou
sands of children make IL their play
ground. babies dig in the sand boxes
or sleep in the pleasant shade. small
children wade in the creek and play
on the rocks, older ones play ball and
tennis on the lawns in summer, and
skate on the ponds in winter, while
all ages picnic in the shady woods
Schools come en- masse 10 pursue their
nature studies, and teachers to extend
their knowledge or the wild birds ami
mails and plants of the region. On
Easter Monday. very popular holiday
In Washington. countless adults and
children flock there to indulge in the
pastime of egE-rolling. The park vics
for popularity with the White House
grounds on this occasion. Last year
the visitors on Easter Monday num-
bcrcd 1000.
Most of the buildings are grouped
within comparatively small area on
n hill located in the central part OF
the park. The largest is the lion
house. which contains most OF the
large cats. There are represented
specimens OF the lion. tiger. puma.
leopard, jaguar, lynx. serval and
ocelot. and many other interesting ami
mails.
Behind the lion house is the monkey
house, where some forty monkeys of
various species maintain a continuous
vaudeville show TO the great Joy of the
vi nf he
of this tribe is mandrill named
"Napper." He stands In the front part
Of the cage apparently bored and list
less,but II an unwary visitor attempts
to arouse him by thrusting out an UNI
brclla or a hat, he becomes active in
stantly, and seizinS the object i'm his
powerful hands, he tears ii to pieces.
In spite of the watchfulness OF the