REPORT OF THE 

 DIRECTOR OF THE AQUARIUM 



TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS. 



IN reporting upon the Aquarium for the past year, the Director 

 feels justified in stating that its present condition is good, 

 both as regards living exhibits, and service performed by em- 

 ployees. Although much of the equipment is obsolete in charac- 

 ter, the fact remains that in no other aquarium is there so much 

 animal life successfully carried considering the space available. 



At no time during the twelve years of the Zoological Soci- 

 ety's management of the Aquarium have the exhibits decreased 

 to a noticeable degree either in number or variety. All exhibition 

 tanks and pools are kept full of attractive specimens of good 

 size, while the variety of forms is usually more than twice the 

 number of tanks available. Most of our specimens live in tanks 

 too small for their proper accommodation. 



As has been frequently pointed out it is not possible to en- 

 large or greatly vary the exhibits in the present building. There 

 is no space left for the increase of either specimens or equipment 

 for handling them. Under present conditions the Aquarium is 

 virtually at a standstill in this respect. Its water systems are 

 adapted only for exhibits of the character now installed there, 

 and in pleading limitations, these facts are kept in mind. 



Nevertheless, more than two millions of visitors annually 

 find much in the Aquarium that is pleasing, and but little to 

 criticise. As a matter of fact there is no criticism of the exhib- 

 its, and seldom is there complaint about the irremediable defects 

 of the building. There are few museums that maintain more 

 friendly relations with the public. 



COLLECTIONS. 



The total number of specimens on December 31, 1914, was 

 5,169, the number of species 199. These are as follows : fishes 

 2,876 — species 146 ; reptiles 130 — species 24 ; amphibians 109 

 — species 9; invertebrates 2,051 — species 18; mammals 3 — 

 species 2. 



