One can see, if one understands the relationships of the species that occur
here, a thousand years of vegetational history and much about the history
of the Indians as well. The open-grown trees were maintained by fire. It
is only since settlement by white man that a forest has existed here. 
 All of this, plus a diversity of plant and animal species of interest to
the taxonomist and field naturalist, exists within a three-minute walk of
the classrooms where biology is taught. It is no wonder that the campus biologists
regard this woods as a major teaching facility, and are inclined to violence
when it is suggested that the woods be converted to another use. 
 On the other side of the picture is the fact that the woods is seen by thousands
of people every day as they walk or drive by it on their way across the campus.
Many of these people are relatively unacquainted with the aspect of a forest
in its natural condition and feel that the presence of downed logs and assorted
shrubbery and small trees gives the place an unkempt, uncared-for appearance
that is out of place in the center of a large campus. To them it is a vegetational
junk yard, badly in need of a thorough cleaning. They would like to see a
park with mowed grass and benches under the trees. 
 The present management plan for John Muir Park is an attempt to preserve
the biological values and at the same time make the park as attractive as
possible for the nonbiologist. The downed logs remain but there are fewer
of them. Gravel paths traverse the woods. Dangerous dead wood in the tops
of trees has been removed. There is no question that the park is looking
a little more manicured and is losing some of its wild charm. But the' important
thing is that it does remain, with its full complement of species and most
of its ecology intact. There is no possibility of making it look like the
middle of a wilderness, but there is the possibility of making it a place
where classes can study, and even more important, a place where one can go
between classes on a warm spring day and discover, just as John Muir did
in these same woods, some of the beauties and delights of nature. 
 John Muir Park is not a part of the Arboretum, but its history and its administrative
difficulties point up the problems that thwart maintenance of a seminatural
area in the center of a portion of a large and congested University campus.
There may be some lessons here for other campuses faced with similar problems,
and these same lessons are very likely applicable to outlying areas of our
own campus; these undoubtedly are destined to be in the center of congestion
before many years have passed. 
---Grant Cottam 
Arboretum Foxes 
 Many people are quite surprised when' they learn that there are foxes in
the Arboretum. Foxes are assumed to be extremely wary creatures not prone
to live inside' a city in such close proximity to man. They are most certainly
wary animals, but they are also very adaptive. The fact that there are foxes
in the Arboretum reflects both their adaptive disposition and the excellent
habitat provided. 
 Foxes are shy, secretive, and largely nocturnal animals, but much of their
cautious nature is the direct result of long contact with man. As a consequence,
they do not lend themselves to being easily observed. There are many clues
to their presence however, and if one is observant he can see these clues.
There are droppings on the trails and fire lanes that appear very much like
those of a small dog, except that most of these droppings contain hair of
a mouse or cottontail rabbit. Then there is the occasional shrew or mouse
lying on the trail. Observe the neat round hole in the head or chest of,
the shrew or mouse that was