THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 91 
THE TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY OF THE WATER OF NEW YORK 
HARBOR AD THE BATTERY. 
A glance at the following table shows that the monthly mean 
temperatures from June I to November 30 were distinctly higher 
in 1908 than those of preceding years for the same period. The 
monthly means of specific gravities show a higher density 
(salinity) from September 1 to December 31 than those previ- 
ously recorded. The higher temperature and density of the wa- 
ter of the harbor during the past summer and autumn are un- 
doubtedly due to the extreme dryness which prevailed during 
those seasons. 
Although the new reservoir of stored sea water was put into 
regular use on July 9, some of the floor pools are still supplied 
with water from the harbor. In these pools the effect of the 
higher salinity was perceptible in the better condition of the 
fishes kept in them; although the results are in no way com- 
parable with those secured in those tanks supplied from the reser- 
voir. In the latter, the salinity has remained steady at about 
1.021 and the water was moreover, absolutely pure and free from 
the bad effects of sewage with which the harbor water is per- 
meated. 
Record of monthly mean temperatures and specific gravities 
at the New York Aquarium during the years 1903, 1904, 1905, 
1906, 1907, and 1908. (From daily observations made by Mr. 
W. I. DeNyse.)* 
1903 1904 1905. 1906 1907. | 1908 
ah at | aus ; uel oes Ie) Ae! ss 
January...... Spl eeAB sae 34) 1.014 35 )1.013') 391.014 | 39) 1.012 | 41 | 1011 
February ....| 37 | 1.010} 33| 1.014 | oo | 1.016) 36) 1.012 | 35) 1.014 | 38 15012 
IMMEWROD 5 sonaee 40| 1.008 | 36| 1.013 | 36 | 1.014] 38 | 1.011 | 36] 1.013 39! 1.010 
ANjOytI | oe aoadee 46 | 1.009 | 40 | 1.009 | 48 | 1.011 | 48 | 1.010 | 42] 1.010] 45} 1.009 
Maye sc ucieces 56 | 1.014| 52] 1.010) 52/ 1.014] 52| 1.013|50/ 1.011 | 54/ 1.010 
WIDE soscancoone 61 | 1.013 | 61 | 1.010} 62 | 1.015 | 62 | 1.013 | 56| 1.013 | 65 | 1.014 
Aituliyareaeerea ss 66 | 1.013 | 70| 1.013 | 68] 1.015 | 69| 1.013 | 65 | 1.015| 71 | 1.016 
UCTS Ceeeen 68 | 1.013 | 71 | 1.014] 71 | 1.016 | 72} 1.014] 70} 1.016} 74| 1.016 
September ..| 68 | 1.013 | 68 | 1.014] 68} 1.014] 71| 1.015 | 69] 1.015 | 71 | 1.017 
October ...... 62} 1.011) 59) 1.013 | 62 | 1.014 | 63 | 1.016 | 62 | 1.012 67 | 1.018 
November.../ 52 | 1.014 | 51] 1.013) 51) 1.015 | 54] 1.014] 51] 1.010 57 | 1.018 
December...| 40] 1.014 | 59| 1.015 | 44} 1.014] 43 | 1.014] 45 | 1.011 49 | 1.017 
* Density observations were made with samples of water brought to a 
temperature of 60 degrees Fahr. 
