132 NEW YORK ZOGLOGICAL SOCIETY 
el J 
A SUGGESTION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM BUILDING 
This plan contemplates the removal of the existing wooden superstructure, both 
weak and unsightly, and an enlargement of the building in pyramidal form. 
From a sketch by C. H. Townsend 
not the time fully arrived for a general improvement that will 
remedy all defects and give New York an aquarium befitting its 
position as almost the largest city in the world? 
A new plan for the reconstruction of the Aquarium building 
at a moderate cost as compared with previous plans, has been 
considered within the year. It provides for a clean sweep of the 
unsightly and ruinous superstructure, down to the top of the 
original nine-foot-thick wall of the fort which it was one hundred 
years ago; its replacement with second and third stories in 
pyramidal form; and the reclamation of ground floor and balcony 
space now occupied by machinery, for new exhibition space. 
Some idea of what is now proposed can be gathered from the 
accompanying sketch by the Director. This plan involves no en- 
croachment on park territory. 
The Collections.—The total number of specimens now in the 
Aquarium is 4055 and the number of species 168. As compared 
with the preceding year the figures show an increase in speci- 
mens on exhibition of 130, and of species 12. Fishes numbered 
2704 specimens and 120 species; invertebrates 1157 specimens 
and 15 species; reptiles 131 specimens and 23 species; amphibians 
60 specimens and 8 species; mammals 3 specimens and 2 species. 
Additions were made to the collection of tropical fishes in 
May and June. The second shipment received from Key West, 
Florida, was divided among the New York, Philadelphia and 
Detroit aquariums, all sharing in the expense. The usual au- 
fumnal collecting trip to Key West was omitted owing to the gen- 
eral loss of fishing boats at that point during a hurricane. 
