TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT at 
Storage Space for Coal.—Karly in the summer the Director 
acceded to the wish of the Commissioner of Parks, to remove the 
unsightly shed adjacent to the Aquarium, which had long been 
used for storing a small reserve of coal. The Park Department 
secured an appropriation of $650 for the enlargement of the coal 
space within the building, but as this was not immediately avail- 
able the Aquarium could not be safeguarded in its winter coal 
supply. It was, in fact, reduced to the necessity of depending 
upon daily deliveries of coal during a prolonged shortage of fuel, 
although every possible economy was practiced. By closing the 
building to visitors from January 18 to 22, inclusive, and on the 
following Monday, a saving of about fifty per cent in fuel was 
effected. The living exhibits would probably have been lost had 
it not been for twenty-five tons’ emergency supply long hidden 
in an underground pipe conduit. The space available for coal 
is so limited that it can hold under the best conditions not more 
than four days’ supply. 
Appropriation for Repairs to Roof.—The roof of the Aqua- 
rium, which has long been in bad condition, was examined by 
the Park Department, and an appropriation of $3,000 was ap- 
plied for and secured. A further appropriation of $375 was 
secured for the re-surfacing of the exterior walls, which had 
become greatly discolored. 
Exhibits—The exhibits at the Aquarium are as varied and 
extensive as at any time in the past. They cannot, in fact, be 
increased without making radical changes in the building, such 
as those suggested in the report for last year. By removing the 
mechanical department from the rear to the basement of the 
front of the building, much space could be created for new and 
attractive exhibits and these could be installed in a manner su- 
perior to anything yet attempted. 
The total number of specimens now in the Aquarium is 
6,049, and the number of species 186. Of fishes there are 4,611 
specimens, representing 137 species; invertebrates 1,255 speci- 
mens, and 18 species; amphibians 69 specimens, and 8 species; 
reptiles 112 specimens, and 21 species; and two mammais—a 
sea lion and a manatee. The sea lion has lived in the Aquarium 
ten years and the manatee (Manatus inunguis, from the Ama- 
zon) a year and a half. 
It is a great satisfaction to be able to report a further im- 
provement in the welfare of the living collections of the Aqua- 
