Evening journal., 1915-05-20
REAL Wonderland
At THE Smithsonian
Room For Children Con-
tainS Much to Interest
the Little Ones
FISHES, TURTLES,
DELIGHT TOTS

WASHINGTON, May 2O.-In the
Smithsonian Institution at Washing
ton there is room especially ar
ranged for the children. It is not
fitted up with swings, slides and see
saws, but with some of the wonders
fishes, insects. plants and rocks all
grouped so as to appeal to the youth
ful mind. This exhibit. while plan
ned especially for the child, is enter
tanning to the adult as we'll.
The room was designed and pre-
pared under the personal direction Of
the late secretary, DR.. Samuel Pier
pont Langley. whose interests were
so human and broad that he took time
from his other studies to direct the
arrangement of this room for his
little clients" as he called them. He
even went so far as to appoint him
self honorary curator, and chose to
accept the appointment with great
seriousness, devotng nearly two
years to the work.
knowledge in Wonder.
Bo believed in the saying Of an
h gins in wonder" and, realizing that
some of his own researches were
prompted in this way, he desired to
interest children in science, by show
ing them some of natures curious
works. He realized also that the ordi-
nary museum exhibits we're not adapt
ed to the mind of the child, so he
based his grouping on the observing
and absorbing powers of children. and
selected for exhibition here the great
est and smallest and the brightest
and most inconspicuous specimens
all of which he labeled with their
common English names.
This little room for the children
still remains intact, just as DR.. Lang
ley planned it 16 years ago 1t is just
as up to date today as it ever was
his classification and choice we're for
sighted and have never been improv-
ed upon. Located just across the hall
opposite the main entrance of the in
stitution, exposed to the sunlight
from the south, this room presents q
word of entertainment, to grown-ups
as well as smaller visitors.
Fishes and Turtles.
In the center is an aquarium o
brightly colored fishes and tiny tur,
ties. The wall cases, which are al
low so as to be within range of Z
child's vision, contain the differen
groups. The first, the largest anC
smallest birds of prey, includes sew
efal birds ranging in size from thI
condor of the Andes to the tiny pygm,
hawk. Next are the eagle and el
owls. followed by some curious birds
all of which live up to their genera
label. They comprise the touean, witt
his absurdly overCrown bill: ,anothe
bird whose bill seems to be upsid
down, a queer paradise bird with tw
very long head plumes which appea
like many small flags on thin rods
some bat-parakeets. which sleep up
side down suspended by one foot, an
an umbrella bird with a chrysanthe
mum-like crop of feathers for a top
knot.
Other birds are arranged togethe
on account of their brilliant an
guady coloratiOn; one group consist
of European birds, and another o
common birds of the United States
one of the most interesting groups t
the child who recognizes many of hi
feathered neighbors with surprisin
Joy and ease Many other differen
birds are included, as well as curiou
nests and eggs, and then there is
beaver busy cutting a log.
Other Interesting Exhibits.
Here are also an attractive serie
of pretty shells. a case of strange in
sects, another of beautiful butter
flies. followed by curious sponge an
coral formations and a case Of mir
erals and fossils.
Probably one of the most appeal
ing exhibits is the series labele
How Creatures HIDE" the children
room title for protective mimicr,
which shows some Of natures d,
vices for the protection of her livin
things. Here are shown leaf insect
so like the foliage to which the
cling as to make the observer "giy
up" before discovering them: bird
nests and eggs which are only to /
found by the closest inspection, an
ptarmigans in both their white an
brown plumage. which makes thel
inconspicuous in winter and summe
DR.. Langley was exceedingly cleal
sighted and his efforts have no doul
instilled into the minds of many chi
dren the germ for a scientific educ;
tion, which he sought to SOW in ordt
that the people of this country migl
become more interested in nature an
study her many phases.