88 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



The difficulties connected with the care and proper manage- 

 ment of the antiquated and worn-out comfort room can be reme- 

 died only by modernizing the present antiquated equipment and 

 extending it to the full capacity of the space available. This 

 should be done without delay, as present conditions are a re- 

 proach to the institution. 



The administrative work of the Aquarium is carried on 

 without the space necessary for effectiveness. The office space 

 is limited, while feed room, repair room, and storage room are 

 all mere make-shifts. 



The external appearance of the Aquarium has long been the 

 subject of unfavorable comment. Its light, modern superstruc- 

 ture, already weakened by the cutting of skylights at various 

 times, should be replaced by something more in keeping with 

 heavy walls of a building originally constructed as a fort. 



In this report the director refrains from entering into de- 

 tails respecting the many needs of the building, all of which have 

 been considered at length in previous reports. 



The remedy for the general retardation of the Aquarium lies 

 in the shifting of all machinery to an unused basement, the con- 

 version of the space thus vacated into exhibition tanks, and the 

 addition of a third story for administrative purposes. 



Repairs to Roof. — An appropriation of $3,000 for long-need- 

 ed repairs to the roof was made in 19-17, but the work was, unfor- 

 tunately, not commenced during that year. In 1918 this amount 

 was reduced to $943.50 for temporary repairs and the work is in 

 progress. 



Increased Coal Storage. — The most important improvement 

 effected during the year was the construction of an additional 

 coal bin of sixteen tons' capacity. The space for the coal was 

 created by excavating under the tiled floor of the main hall, just 

 in front of the pump room. The fuel now stored there is held 

 as a reserve supply, not to be drawn upon except in emergency. 

 The appropriation for this improvement was $770. The main 

 coal storage space has not been enlarged and at best holds only 

 a four days' supply. 



Stored Sea Wate)-. — The filling of the recently enlarged exhi- 

 bition tanks with sea water, naturally had the effect of lowering 

 the level in the reservoir holding the supply of stored sea water. 



