THE PUBLIC AQUARIUM 



255 



transit. This compulsory procedure is both expensive and trouble- 

 some. Experience has shown that the handling of fishes and other 

 strictly aquatic creatures intended for exhibition alive seldom can be 

 intrusted to fishermen. The untrained collector fails to appreciate 

 the importance of taking those precautions in capture and shipment 

 that are necessary for success. Aquatic animals must reach their 

 destination not merely alive but able to endure the conditions of 

 captivity, always more or less unfavorable to wild creatures. In 

 addition to the necessity of guarding the water supply of an aquarium 

 every hour of the 24 and the daily care of the living exhibits, the 



Fig. 3.- — Water plants, as seen in an aquarium. Ilornwort and eelgiass 



staff of a large aquarium has the additional duties of a public 

 museum. There are crowds of visitors to be looked after, supplies to 

 be purchased, machinery to be kept in repair, and a correspondence 

 with the public, the schools, the press, and with zoologists working in 

 many lines to be conducted. There are also labels, circulars, and 

 pamphlets to be prepared. In the matter of assistance to teachers of 

 biology, it may be stated that the New York Aquarium has stocked 

 small marine aquaria in more than 300 schools in greater New York. 

 The seashore collecting for this work goes on from early spring until 

 late in fall. 



