TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT 103 



pesos should be available for making models of modern sugar 

 centrals and other instructive industrial operations, in order 

 that the knowledge of the Bureau of Science should be properly 

 disseminated and serve its greatest usefulness. 



THE AQUARIUM 



In the early part of the year it was decided that 1-inch glass 

 be ordered to replace the thinner glass in the aquarium, as the 

 latter has a factor of safety of less than two, and that rigid iron 

 frames with planed surfaces be constructed for the heavy glass. 

 The iron frames have been completed and installed, and the 

 1-inch glass ordered from the United States has arrived and 

 has been put in place. ' The design of the iron frames is such 

 that certain parts are protected from the salt water in the 

 aquaria only by a preservative coating, and I fear that this will 

 be insufficient to prevent discoloration of the water due to 

 corrosion of the iron. The Kinney pump for the circulating 

 system also has been installed, and several other minor changes 

 have been made to facilitate the operation of the aquarium. 

 There yet remain to be accomplished the construction of a roof 

 over the shark tank, the concrete garden seats and railings 

 along the promenade over the aquarium tunnel, the completion 

 of the gates to the crocodile tank, and a few minor details. The 

 Bureau of Public Works will complete these as soon as possible. 

 If the iron frames do not corrode, the system will be in readiness 

 to receive such material as the ichthyologist, who is now accom- 

 panying the Honorable the Secretary of the Interior on an 

 inspection trip around the eastern coast of Luzon, may bring 

 back with him. A collecting trip, especially to secure material, 

 will be made as soon as the aquarium is ready to receive it and 

 the aquarium then can be opened to the public. The delay in 

 the arrival of the glass has given a year for the grass and vines 

 to grow, so that the aquarium grounds are now beautifully 

 parked. 



It is necessary to provide for the operation and maintenance 

 of the aquarium; an admission fee will be charged, the pro- 

 ceeds to go toward its support. The life of aquarium material 

 averages only a few months, so that the cost of frequent ex- 

 pensive collecting trips will have to be borne in addition to the 

 salaries and wages of the employees at the aquarium. The 

 Bureau will need to be guaranteed against a deficit in the opera- 

 tion of the aquarium not covered by receipts, and it is requested 

 that ?^5,000 be added to the annual appropriation of the Bureau 

 of Science for this purpose. 



