92 NEW YORIG ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
The chief interest which attaches to this record is the low 
salinity of the water of the harbor, as compared with that of the 
open sea, which is about 1.028. 
The impurity of the harbor water and its low salinity have, 
until the present year, made the keeping of marine life in the 
Aquarium most difficult. Since the pure sea-water supply has 
been available the losses among marine animals in the tanks for 
the period from July to December, inclusive, have been reduced 
about 50 per cent. as compared with the same period of former 
years. 
Never before have really large numbers of tropical fishes 
been carried through to the end of the year, and the numbers 
of such fishes now on hand encourage the hope that losses during 
the winter will be reduced to the minimum. 
This record of six-years’ daily observations is the only one of 
its kind that has been kept in the City, and, together with the 
record of specimens lost on account of bad water, throws light 
on the subject of the pollution of the harbor. 
The time is approaching when fish life can not exist in the 
water of the harbor at all—when those lower forms of marine 
life which assist in the disposal of waste matter will themselves 
be dispersed. 
Respectfully submitted, 
CuHarLes H. TOWNSEND, 
Director. 
