22 Madras fishrries bulletin VOL. XV 



roofing, all the others were completed ; this station is ideally situated 

 for biological investigation, as the island is margined by a fringing 

 coral reef with a rich mud-bank fauna within a mile distance on the 

 north side and deep water, characterized by profuse 'and diversified 

 bottom life, adjacent to the south beach. The completion of the 

 buildings will mark the realization of the hopes of all zoologists who 

 have had the privilege of pursuing their studies on the coast of 

 South India. They will also provide useful headquarters for the 

 Department's Fishery Inspection vessel, as the anchorage in front of 

 the station is the best and most sheltered of any along the south-east 

 coast, with the added advantage of central position, being midway 

 between our chank fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bav. 



MADRAS MARINE AQUARIUM. 



30. The aquarium on the Marina continues to maintain its 

 claim to be among the foremost popular resorts in Madras ; the extra 

 expenditure authorized by Government for the purpose of adding to 

 its amenities and attractiveness has again been justified by a main- 

 tenance of the phenominal incre; se in attendance and gate money 

 which occurred when it was transferred to ' Fisheries ' as shown 

 below : — 



To this profit has to be added miscellaneous receipts amount- 

 ing to Rs. 130 and the value of the guide-bocks and other 

 publications sold, amounting to Rs. 231-10-0. The Pongal festival 

 again gave the highest attendance, as many as 4,963 visitors having 

 paid for admittance on Kannu Pongal day, as against 4,104 in the 

 preceding year. Among the distinguished visitors during the year 

 was His Royal Highness the Duke r of Connaught, who was accom- 

 panied by His Excellency Loid Willingdon, on 12th January 1921. 

 The Hon'ble the Minister for Development, who takes a great in- 

 terest in the success of the aquarium, has also paid several visits of 

 inspection. 



Improvements effected comprised the construction of a small 

 laboratory room for the use of the officer in charge, and of further 

 additions to the electric lighting of the tanks and of an electric 

 signboard at the commencement of the pathway to the building. 



