Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29

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done to add 10 the general attractiveneSs of
thee Zoo here But before these things are
done a number OF our old and unsuitable build
in9S, which have been the source of unfavorable
comment on the part of visitors must be torn
down and replaced; others which have grown
toe small must be extended, and needed new
structures must be built.
1T Is desirable, in the rebuilding of old
houses and In the planning of new ones that
q uniform architectural motif be followed and
carried throughout, and 1t Is with this in mind
that the new reptile house is TO be constructed
as model and a prototype for all the other
buildings that are to follow"
THUS, when the visitor approaches this new
2OO-foot-long palace Of reptiles and pauses
to note its architectural features, as he looks
over the waters of the moat taking in at a
glance the Handicapped gardens which surround
it and gazing at the statuesque figure of the
prehistoric monsters grazing before him. ne will
be able to form mental picture of how the
entire Zoo will one day look
Crossing the moat by means of small bridge
and entering the building, the visitor will see
directly before him a Western desert, where
behind plate glass several species of rattlers
and other snakes and reptiles of the arid sands
will dwell, In an artificial climate similar to
that of their native land.
He will note, as he walks through the long
exhibit spaces, generously proportioned to &C
commodate large crowds that the building has
been designed primarily for his comfort and to
give him the best possible view of the show at
all times.
Like the desert scene each exhibit will be
behind plate glass, and, while the temperature
will vary in the cages to reproduce the native
chimes of the various specimens. in the public
promenade it will be uniform and even prop
erly regulated in Summer and Winter. Through
forced draught system of ventilation, similar
TO that used in theaterS, clean air, devoid of
unpleasant odors will circulate freely. The only
light permitted to enter the building will be
through plate glass Skylights over the cages
themselves throwing each exhibit into brilliant
relief.
A T the southern end Of the building alligstors
and crocodiles will be exhibited in a tropi-
cal swamp traversed by bayou and filled with
cypress stumps and trees hung with mosses
and lanas. In this exhibit one of the largest
in the building. measuring IS feet high by 81
feet wide, behind a solid glass front in addi-
ton to the common alligators of the Southern
United States and Central America, the
"Gaviar' crocodile. one of the rareSt in cap.
tivity. will be shown.
At the northern end of the building there
will be three large glassed-in compartments.
forming nearly a ssmi-circle, for three varieties
of land turtles. including the giant turtles from
the Galapagos Islands. recently presented to
the Zoo oy Clifford Pinchot and said to be the
Oldest living reptiles Thanking either side of
these compartments will be glass tank aquaria,
where sea turtles will be seen as they swim
under water
In other compartments set in the side walls
of the building, between the northern and
southern ends and occupying wide central
area there will be spaces for the great snakes
and other reptiles of the collection.
Here the largest East Indian python in cap
tivity. a monster of the snake kingdom en-
lowed with herculean crushing power, will be
exhibited in a pen reproducing conditions in
the jungles of Indo- China. Also in adjoining
cages will be shown the finest four specimens
of rock pythons ever captured the ball python
and several varieties of the giant boa constric-
tors
The anaconda snake which spends most of
its time submerged. will be seen as it swims
under water in an aquarium, as well as other
smaller snakes and reptiles.
nTHER exhibits in the reptile house will
include the black splitting cobra of India
which aims its venom with deadly accuracy at
the eyes of its victim; the copperhead. the fer
de lance, known for its irascible and fearless
nature, and wide variety of more common
snakes from all parts of the world besides
several species of monitors, gila monsters, West
Indian and other iguanas, the beaded lizard
and two rare specimens of the giant Japanese
Salamander.
There will also be exhibited, in small illumi-
mated cases of a novel design, the frogs and
toadS of many chimes and countries and rare
jungle and tropical insects seldom found in
geological collections.
On the second floor in the central rnrtinIa nf