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376 Route 43. AMSTERDAM. Zoological Garden
The chief street in the Jewish quarter is the JopEN-BREESTRAAT
(Pl. E, F, 3), the continuation of the St. Anthonie - Breestraat
(p. 374). Rembrandt resided from 1639 to 1656 at No. 4 in this
street (comp. p. xii); a simple memorial tablet marks the house, on
the right side of the street, immediately beyond the bridge over
the Zwanen-Burgwal. Baruch Spinoza, the philosopher (1632-77;
comp. p. 334), the son of a Portuguese Jew, was born in Amster-
dam, but the house is unknown.
Amsterdam has from an early period been famous for Dramonp Por-
ISHING, an art unknown in Europe before the 15th cent., and introduced to
the city by Portuguese Jews after the sack of Antwerp in 1576. Its great
development, however, dates from the disc \very of the South African
diamond-fields in 1867. There are now over 70 mills, employing in the
aggregate about 10,000 workmen. The most important are situated in the
Zwanenburger Straat (P]. 4; E, 4) and the Roeters-Eiland (on the Achter-
G, 4). Visi
Gracht, in the E. part of the town; Pl 4,G itors are generally ad-
mitted by M. Z. Coster, Zwanenburger Straat 2, one of the oldest polishers,
daily. except Sat. and Sun., from 9 to 4, and by other houses also (fee 50-c.)
4).
In the Mrppenraan, beyond the Muider Straat and the canal,
is an iron gate (No. 2; to the right) forming the entrance to the
Botanic Garden (Pl. F,3; admission, see p. 367), commonly known
as the ‘Hortus’, and interesting on account of its numerous species
of palms and its Victoria Regia house.
The *Zoological Garden (Pl. G, 3), founded in 1838 by the
society ‘Natura Artis Magistra’, and therefore popularly called the
‘Artis’, is one of the best arranged in Europe. It is now 28 acres
in extent. The entrance is on the W. side, in the Kerklaan (Pl. F,
G, 3; adm., see p. 367; printed guide, 15c.). Inthe S.W. corner
is the Society's House (restaurant, see p. 363). A band plays here
on Sun. from 2 to 4.30 pm., and also on Wed. in summer from
8 to 14 p.m.
To the left of the entrance are the camels and llamas; farther on are
the singing-birds, the parrot-gallery, and (in the centre) the Monkey House.
Behind is the Reptile House, which contains large serpents and other
reptiles. The arrangements for fish-breeding, also in this part of the
garden, are interesting (in winter and spring only). Many thousands of
salmon and trout are bred here and annually set free in the Dutch rivers. —
Beyond the ponds. which are covered with water-fowl. are the reindeer.
kangaroos, bears, hyenas, and wolves, and on the left, the large Carnivora
House (feeding-hour daily except Sat. at 3.30 p.m. in summer, at 3 p.m.
in winter), adjoined by that of the Elephants, Rhinoceroses, and Tapirs. —
Proceeding hence past the Antelope House (containing also two giraffes) we
reach the Eagle & Vulture House (feeding-hour 3 p-m.) and the Ethnological
Museum, containing Chinese, Japanese, and Indian curiosities. Beyond it
are the Bujfalo Shed and the Hippopotamus Pond. — In the N.E. angle is
a large grotto with a basin of water, fitted up for Sea Lions (fed at 12
& 4). — Next comes the small Incubator and then, in the §.E. corner,
beyond the deer- paddock, the Aquarium (adm. 25 c.; feeding - hour
A p.m.). — We return along the S. side to an older building which con-
tains a Collection of Insects, the valuable library, and a collection of stuffed
animals. — We may wind up our visit with the Zoological Museum, adjoining
the lawns of the restaurant. |
