ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



331 



IN OCTOBER last, the Aquarium received 

 from a market in New Orleans, fine speci- 

 mens of the giant snapping turtle, {Macro- 

 chclys tcininincki), inhabiting the lower Miss- 

 issippi River and its tributaries, varying in 

 weight from fifty-five to eighty-two pounds. 

 This species is the largest of the fresh-water 

 turtles. There is a specimen in the United 

 States National Museum, five feet and four 

 inches in length, which weighed one hundred 

 and fifty-five pounds, its top shell being twenty- 

 nine and one-half inches in length. 



The Aquarium had a specimen in December, 

 1902, which was four feet seven and one-half 

 inches in length and weighed one hundred and 

 si.x and one-half pounds, in an emaciated con- 

 dition. Its top shell measured twenty-four 

 inches in length. 



This species is sold for food in the New 

 Orleans markets and is sometimes shipped to 

 New York. 



EVERY summer the Aquarium procures 

 a number of tropical fishes from the 

 numerous pound nets located in the 

 soutliern end of New York Bay. These fishes 

 appear late in the season when the water has 

 reached its highest temperature and, recogniz- 

 ing them as rarities, the fishermen usually 

 place them in floating fish-cars and inform the 

 Aquarium. 



Among the fishes taken in October was a 

 specimen of the flasher or triple-tail, (Lobotes 

 siiriiiainensis). It is a large food fish, some- 

 times attaining a length of three feet. There 

 are a few records of its occurrence as far north 

 as Cape Cod. 



THE year 1906 has proved to be a record 

 year at this institution, the total num- 

 ber of visitors having been over two 

 "millions, an average of six thousand a day. 



The attendance for 1906, taken with that of 

 preceding years, makes the total for ten years 

 over seventeen millions, an average of over 

 five thousand a day for that period. 



A WISE ELEPHANT. 



( Hir fine Indian Elephant, "Gunda," has not 

 only grown stouter and taller, but he has also 

 developed in intelligence and sagacity in a man- 

 ner that is bound to make him famous. The 

 g'reatest care has been exercised with his train- 

 ing, food, and every-day life, and thus far it 

 appears to be labor wisely expended. If actions 



speak for themselves, he appreciates the atten- 

 tion bestowed upon him. In numerous ways 

 he indicates his complete satisfaction as to his 

 bill of fare and the kindness of the keepers. 

 He kneels at command, salutes, shakes hands, 

 and has lately become a banker. Some of the 

 devious methods he employs in his particular 

 bank indicate that there will be serious trouble 

 unless he mends his ways. 



If one throws a penny on the floor, he picks 

 it up and drops it into the box above his head, 

 after which he rings a bell with his trunk. Then 

 he looks for a reward. If it is not forthcoming, 

 in the shape of forage biscuits or peanuts, he 

 rings the bell until it does come. 



It was soon apparent that although the de- 

 posits were heavy, there was also a correspond- 

 ingly heavy shortage. Upon inspecting the 

 books it was learned that the teller dropped 

 the cent into the box, but afterward very deftly 

 picked it out and put it into his mouth. When 

 the keeper was away he put it on the floor until 

 a visitor came along, when he went through 

 the form of dropping it in again, and ringing 

 the bell. To prevent this fraud small staples 

 were driven in the bottom of the box, so that 

 the penny fell between them. He simply 

 elongated the tiny tip at the end of his trunk, 

 and therewith lifted the cent. It was only by 

 using long nails in place of the staples that the 

 trick was prevented. 



But "Gunda" was equal to the occasion, and 

 developed another trick which easily rivaled 

 the former. One morning while standing near 

 by, his keeper heard a penny drop into the 

 bank, then another, until he counted four. 

 Stepping quickly to the front, he saw the wise 

 old fellow reach to the top of the partition wall 

 with his trunk. When detected "Gunda" slyly 

 walked away. On looking into the hiding- 

 place, nine pennies were discovered. e. r. s. 



During the past montlis the Aquarium has 

 received numerous specimens of starfishes and 

 Holothurians from the new steam trawler 

 Spray, of Boston. This vessel, built on the 

 lines of the British steam trawlers, is one of 

 the pioneers in this method of fishing in Amer- 

 ica, and her work is being watched with great 

 interest by the fishing firms of New England. 

 Having been dredged from deep water on the 

 Western Bank, none of the specimens sent to 

 the Aquirium lived more than a week. It was 

 demonstrated that they can not endure the re- 

 duced water pressure of aquarium tanks, and 

 shipments have been discontinued. c. h. t. 



