68 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Owing to the rapid growth of the alligators that hatched here 

 from the eggs collected by the Curator and Keeper Snyder in 

 South Carolina four years ago. a section of the big tank has been 

 partitioned off for them. From a length of eight inches and a 

 weight of one and three-eighths ounces these reptiles have grown 

 to a length of five feet, and an average weight of fifty pounds. 

 This series of alligators is very important in affording an oppor- 

 tunity for accurate observations of the growth of the North 

 American Alligator. From a small aquarium the specimens were 

 first transferred to the large turtle tank, and, outgrowing this, 

 they have at last been accorded the privilege of joining the big 

 saurians in the alligator pool. 



A small feature in the Reptile House, yet attracting consider- 

 able interest, are several cases of poisonous " insects," such as 

 spiders, centipedes, and scorpions. Descriptive labels explain 

 away certain superstitious ideas, and cite the actual habits, besides 

 giving remedies for bites and stings. 



In addition to the maps and charts, a number of photographs, 

 illustrating structural characteristics of the specimens, are now 

 exhibited. 



The most important improvement of the year in the reptile 

 department was the construction of the outdoor yards at the 

 eastern end of the Reptile House. The enclosures communicate 

 directly with the interior runways of the Tortoise House. Each 

 yard has been floored with sand and provided with a concrete 

 pool. These enclosures have been specially designed for the large 

 tortoises — several species of which are now on hand — and for 

 iguanas, monitors, mastigures, and other large lizards. The tem- 

 perature of the Tortoise Room is maintained at 80° F., and the 

 floor space that it affords, covered with warm sand and abundantly 

 lighted, has proven of great benefit to all its reptilian habitants. 

 Iguanas that have fared poorly in the smaller cages of the main 

 exhibition hall have recovered their health and vigor to a remark- 

 able degree when transferred to the desert temperature of the 

 Tortoise Room. The principal difficulty experienced in keeping 

 the large lizards in the new quarters lies in preventing them from 

 leaping or climbing out of their enclosures. 



Until a rather elaborate new arrangement of doors has been 

 provided, it is not possible to admit the public to the Tortoise 

 Room in winter, but this object will be attained very shortly. 



