Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-14
C. EMERSON BROWN
On Functions OF the Modern Zoo

THE modern, up to date geological garden
i has more functions to fill than that OF
entertainment. one OF the foremost hclnS
that Of tho opportunity offered for patho'
logical study among the animals. in the
opinion of G. Emerson Brown, superintcnd.
ent of the Philadelphia Zoo.
The local Geological Garden possesses
the most up to date pathological laboratory
and has always been pioneer in this phase
of animal study, according to superintendent
Brown, who is. however, first, last and al
ways, an exponent of "purc air, proper food
and careful sanitation as better for the
various wild beasts than any amount OF
medicine.
geological gardens are becoming more
and more popular every year. declared Mr..
Brown And with their spread they have
outgrown the old idea that classified them
as merely places where people could walk
through and express their amazcment at
the animals. They now form means OF
educational opportunity along certain lines
to thousands of people. School children, by
studying the actions and habits of the ami
mails and by observing the dcscriptiv" labels
on the cages which all zoos now possess. may
gather a knowledge Of practical zoology far
surpassiug any that could be gained by
porting over their books. because 1t will be
much more indclibly impressed on their
youthful imaginations
Helpful to Artists
"a second feature of the geological gar
den is the chance it gives to artists to pro-
cure without difficulty. life studies OF
picturesque and beautiful birds and animals
which they never could get in any other way.
There is not day goes by at the Philndel.
phia Zoo in which both groups. the school
children and the artistcally inclined, do not
visit US, not for brief periods, but staying
to study everything there is TO be seen here.
"Then, of course, there is the unanswer-
able argument of the clean, healthy amuse-
ment which the zoo can offer. At certain
periods Of the year, particularly in the win
ter the 200 Is about the only out of doors
place which actually possesses that one vital
characteristic of something to do or sce.'
1t Is popularity of people that great
many are not satisfied to go anywhere If the
only inducement is that they can get the ad
vantage of the open air, but the Zoo satisfies
the wants of these people and gives them
the healthy tonic Of the out Of doors in
addition.
"The last and perhaps the greatest phase
Of the geological garden, and that which is
claiming our attention more and more, Is
the opportunity which it offers to scientists
for first hand study of the animals. 1t
shows the student scientist the animals as
they behave in the wild state. Especially
In the cases of reptiles and birds does the
ZOO hold an advantage over the museum,
since it discloSes the specimens in question
| in their natural colors and natural forms ;
| not as some human hand has stuffed and col
| ored them, perhaps imperfecty and out of
accordance with the true facts Of the case
Oldest Zoo Is Here -
"There are approximately 175 ZOOS in the
| world The majority are in cities of the
! United States. The oldest ZOO in this coun.
| try il our own here In Philadelphia. The
| Philadelphia Geological Society was formed
| in 1850, with DR.. William Camac as its
| first president The Civil War and the
| difficulty encountered in getting animals to
| this country prevented the local garden from
opening its doors to the public until July,
| 1874. A collection made by Frank T.
| Thompson, who was sent by this society on
n world tour to gather specimens, formed the
| basis of the original garden here. The other
| great collections brought here include that
| Of Ellis Josephs in 1917 and that of Haag.
ner. which arrived only this summer Al.
| most all the animals purchased by American
ZOOS are procured through dealers rather
| than by direct means.
| "a practical zoo must pay strict attention
| to the sanitary conditions surrounding its
| animals, and in this case also PhiladeIphia
has led the way. The pathological labora.
| tory here is the first established In any such
| institution In the country, and only the
| Bronx in New York has even attempted 10
| duplicate our work The idea was conceived
| by Or. Charles Is. PPnrose, now n member
! OF the Philadelphia Geological Society, in
| 1902, and II is already power In the scien
| tifc world, not only in helping to keep our