THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT Q7 
MINOR IMPROVEMENTS. 
Among the improvements made from the Maintenance Fun 
may be mentioned the extension of the gas-light system to ail 
tanks on the balcony; the introduction of a steam-heating coil 
of heavy chemical lead for warming sea water; the galvanizing 
of all iron gratings on the service gallery to prevent iron rust: 
the introduction of wicker (rattan) strainers instead of wire to 
prevent iron rust; the placing of covers over radiators to throw 
heat outward and protect painted pillars, and the filling of the 
reservoir with sea water, brought by tank steamer from Sandy 
Hook Lightship. 
The Aquarium, notwithstanding the improvements affected 
during the past six years, is handicapped by its limited space. 
There is no room for the increase of its collections and it 1s now 
difficult to find room for the location of so much as a pump, a 
filter or coal bunker. In the pump room the men have barely 
space to move about and the coal-stowage capacity is limited to a 
six-days’ supply, which endangers the entire marine collection 
during heavy snow storms when the delivery of coal is uncertain. 
Growth of Young Sea-Turtles.—Director A. G. Mayer, of the 
Marine Biological Laboratory at the Dry Tortugas, Florida, 
presented in July numerous young loggerhead turtles newly 
hatched, which in the pure sea water now available at the 
Aquarium have grown and thrived in capacity. Hitherto all at- 
tempts to raise young sea-turtles at the Aquarium have proved 
unsuccessful. The requirements for success seem to be pure 
sea water at a temperature of about 75 degrees Fahr. and a sunny 
situation. The food used was chopped clam and fish. In these 
specimens the average length of carapace was 2% inches and the 
weight 1% ounces. Six months later the average length of cara- 
pace was 4% inches and the weight 9% ounces. 
Large Lobsters.—Two lobsters (Homarus americanus) of un- 
usually large size were received at the Aquarium during the year. 
The first, received on January 23 from Cranberry Isles, Maine, 
weighed 14% pounds, its length from tip of antennze to tip of tail 
being 34 inches. The second specimen, received April 29 from 
off Atlantic Highlands, N. J., weighed 16 pounds. Its extreme 
length was 34% inches, length from top of rostrum to tip of tail 
1934 inches. Both specimens were males. Neither of these 
lobsters lived more than a few days. It seems probable that their 
loss was the result of packing in ice during shipment. The 
first specimen was mounted for the Aquarium, the second sent to 
the American Museum of Natural History. ; 
