SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 51 
There could, of course, be no general increase of exhibits with- 
out increasing the tank space in the building, but all exhibition 
space was fully occupied. The fish-hatchery was kept in opera- 
tion during the greater part of the year. 
The United States Bureau of Fisheries presented a pair of 
fur-seals from the Pribilof Islands, and in March the Aquarium 
received six yearling elephant seals from Guadalupe Island, off 
the west coast of Mexico, where they were taken by the United 
States Fisheries S. S. Albatross. Two of these animals were sent 
to the National Zoological Park in Washington. 
The Aquarium was opened to the public at night from May 
30 to September 30, and the large crowds of visitors showed that 
the opportunity to see the collections by night was appreciated 
by the public. 
AQUARIUM. 
The leave of absence granted to Mr. Charles H. Townsend, 
to enable him to accept temporarily the position of Acting Di- 
rector of the American Museum of Natural History expired on 
February 15, 1911, and was extended to June 15, 1911, to enable 
him to conduct a scientific expedition on the United States S. S. 
Albatross. Towards this expedition the Society contributed 
$1,000, and received a large collection of lizards and six of the 
rare elephant seals, now almost extinct. The seals were placed 
on exhibition at the Aquarium and grew rapidly, consuming 
enormous quantities of food. Two specimens have been present- 
ed to the United States Fisheries Commission at Washington and 
are now on exhibition at the National Zoological Park. 
During Dr. Townsend’s absence, Mr. Raymond C. Osburn, 
the Assistant Director, conducted the administration of the 
Aquarium to the entire satisfaction of your Committee. Mr. 
Townsend resumed his duties as Director on June 15, 1911. 
PLANS FOR 1912. 
During the year 1912, the Society proposes to erect an Ape 
House on Baird Court, on the former site of the Rockefeller 
Fountain. This new structure is required for the reception of 
our spiendid collection of anthropoid apes, now numbering four 
chimpanzees and five orang-utans, some exceptionally intelligent. 
A special building is needed to secure the continued health and 
proper exhibition of these animals, which are too valuable to be 
exhibited in their present quarters, in which adequate quaran- 
tine, training and keepers’ rooms are lacking. 
