THE PARK NATURALIST'S NEW EXHIBITS
By Park Ranger P. M. Fogg
Three new exhibits have recently been installed in the office of the
Park Naturalist at Paradise Valley, all of which are attracting
considerable attention from the large number of tourists who visit the
office daily. One of these is a full-grown cougar mounted, shot by a U.
S. Ranger last April, a few miles from Longmire Springs. This is now
enclosed in a glass-front case where it elicits many an exclamation of
wonder from those who gaze upon the life-like form. The general
impression that the cougar, or mountain lion is a dangerous beast, ready
to attack people at sight, is an error, for the cougar or mountain lion
is a coward and may be treed by a dog without difficulty. It would much
prefer to stalk and kill a deer than to take chances with a man.
Another of the new exhibits, a collection of about 150 Indian
arrowheads and other implements of the red man, is mounted in a wall
case. Various stages in the manufacture of the arrowheads are shown.
Many of the specimens are especially attractive owing to the veins of
color in the stones.
Very few of such relics are found on Mount Rainier. The Indians
apparently did not live on the mountain, but came up only to hunt. The
collection was obtained from localities in the northwestern section of
the United States.
The very latest addition to the Naturalist's growing Museum is a case
containing pressed flowers, mounted on swinging folios. This is not yet
complete, specimens of some of the earlier varieties not being
obtainable at this advanced stage in the season. However, there are
enough kinds of Paradise Valley's flora to present a very creditable
display, and others will be added from time to time. The case also
contains photographs of local interest, among which are views of the ice
caves beneath Paradise glacier, recently opened to visitors for the
first time in a number of years. These caves attract many tourists. It
is planned to add photographs of the Park's birds and animals to the
exhibit at as early a date as possible.
