THE PUBLIC AQUARIUM 287 



these should have a compartment to itself to avoid injury. Large 

 salamanders of the Necturus and Cryptobranchus genera should be 

 shipped in water, but the smaller native species can be packed in 

 clamp moss and forwarded by express. The large fresh-water cray- 

 fishes of Pacific coast streams have been packed in damp moss and 

 forwarded to New York successfully by parcel post at small cost. 



COLLECTING BOAT 



One of the most important features in the collecting equipment of 

 a large aquarium is a well boat, in which fishes intended for exhibi- 

 tion can be transported without injury. With such a vessel the most 

 favorable collecting localities can be visited at leisure and the catch 

 retained in safety until the well is filled. Through the munificence 

 of the New York Zoological Society the aquarium has had the use of 

 such a vessel for the past eight years. In the gathering and transport- 

 ing of marine fishes from adjacent coastal waters it has proved in- 

 valuable. A return to the laborious and wasteful method of shipping 

 in tanks seems inconceivable. The supply is greater, both for exhibi- 

 tion and feeding purposes, while the surplus is important in making 

 exchanges with inland aquariums for fresh-water fishes. With an 

 equipment of haul seines, dredge, tow net, dip net, and other devices 

 on board, the catch is made easily. The dimensions of this vessel — 

 the Seahorse — are as follows : Length, 35 feet ; beam, 11 feet ; draught, 

 31^ feet; length of forward cabin, 10 feet; length of after cabin, 7 

 feet. The well amidships is 10 feet long at the bottom and has the 

 width of the boat, with a water depth of 2 feet. There are fold-up 

 berths for four men, a galley, and a lavatory. The boat is sloop 

 rigged, has a 25-horsepovv'er engine, and is staunch and seaworthy. 



By visiting the large pound nets, numerous in New York and New 

 Jersey bays, it is possible to secure many species difficult of capture 

 with other forms of apparatus. While the boat is usually provisioned 

 for a two or three day cruise, the well often is filled in a single day, 

 the catch consisting sometimes of as many as 400 fishes, large and 

 small, with quantities of invertebrates and an occasional sea turtle 

 or sea bird. 



EMPTYING THE WELL 



Removing fishes from the well with dip nets is rather difficult 

 and causes needless disturbance. This operation is avoided now by 

 sinking a stout, fine-meshed net lining into the central part of 

 the well before any specimens are introduced. The net is sunk 

 and spread at the bottom by a rectangle of light galvanized-iron 

 rod. Its top is hung on hooks around the sides and ends of the well. 

 The catch is removed as a whole simpl}^ by hoisting the net until 

 all specimens are within easy reach, when they are transferred to 

 the tanks of the aquarium with the minimum of disturbance. The 

 roomy well space at each side of the removable net is available for 

 skates, sharks, sturgeons, or other extra-large specimens. 



COLLECTING EQUIPMENT 



In the capture of aquatic forms for exhibition the aquarium col- 

 lector depends chiefly upon nets, the haul seine being the most im- 



