REPORIOR Une sDIRECTORJOF THE 
AQUARIUM TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. 
HE New York Aquarium as a place of recreation for the 
people, has more than fulfilled the expectations of the City 
that founded it. In twelve years it has been visited by nearly 
twenty-two millions of persons. Its yearly attendance, never 
less than one and a half millions, has steadily increased until 
the present time, the number of visitors for 1908 being 2,536,147 
—an average of almost seven thousand a day. 
Under the management of the New York Zoological Society, 
which has for six years been engaged in improving its equipment 
and exhibits, its yearly attendance has increased by a full million 
of visitors. 
The plans of the Society for the betterment of the institution 
are being steadily carried into effect, and it is now on an excellent 
basis for the wellbeing of its aquatic life and the satisfaction of 
the people who visit it. 
The City has recently granted a new improvement fund of 
$5,000 to be used chiefly for a new roof and enlarged skylights. 
The latter improvement will nearly double the amount of light in 
the building and will contribute not only to the comfort of 
visitors, but to the health of animals kept in the large floor pools. 
The work completed during the past year has given the Aqua- 
rium a splendid sea-water system, which makes possible the keep- 
ing of many marine forms, hitherto not exhibited here. An un- 
derground reservoir of 100,000 gallons capacity was filled with 
ocean water early in July, since which time marine species have 
been kept in healthful condition. Still more attractive features 
of sea life will be added next spring, when our collections will 
be more varied in character than has been possible with the old 
water system. The sea-water reservoir is demonstrating its value 
in other ways: Since it was put into operation in July there has 
been a notable saving of animal life, the loss of specimens due to 
foul water having been largely eliminated. Losses of specimens 
at present are due chiefly to fighting among the occupants of the 
tanks for which there is no remedy. 
The saving in coal was also important, amounting from Oc- 
tober 1 to December 31 to 147 tons as compared with the same 
months of previous years. There is a vast difference between 
