THE NEW YORK AQUARIUM. 



407 



on the nortli side of the floor contain, respectively, salmon raised from 

 the fry, harbor seals and sturgeon. The harbor seals are always sur- 

 rounded by an admiring throng, who watch the graceful manoeuvres 

 of 'Nelly' and her companion, the 'Babe.' 'Nelly' has occupied her quar- 

 ters since the Aquarium was opened, and is a great pet with her keepers. 

 The pools on the south side contain striped bass, the West Indian seal 

 and sea turtles. The specimen of the West Indian seal — Monachus 

 iropicalis (Gray) — is unique among zoological collections. It was 

 captured at the Triangles, off the coast of Yucatan, in 1897, and has 

 thriven in captivity at the Aquarium. It has developed into a humorist, 

 and a favorite trick is to sit upright in the pool and look innocently 



Fig. 2. Plan of the Main Floor. 



around until someone attracts its attention. Then, without a gesture 

 of warning, it spurts a mouthful of water at him and dives away to 

 swim for some time as fast as it can about the pool. 



These pools, and the wall tanks to the left of the entrance, are 

 devoted to salt-water animals, while the wall tanks on the other side 

 are stocked with fresh water animals, as shown in the plan of the floor 

 (Fig. 2). 



In the display of fresh-water fishes, the trout family holds first 

 place, occupying more tank room than any other family, and comprising 

 eleven species. This is largely due to the interest taken by the fishing 

 fraternity in this family and to the generous contributions of the Fish 

 Commissioners of several States. 



