76 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
voir now in course of construction will enable the Aquarium to 
maintain a permanent stored supply of pure salt water, such as 
can never be procured from New York Bay at any season. 
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. 
Among thé minor improvements, may be mentioned the ad- 
dition of a number of reserve tanks, so that it will be possible to 
keep a larger stock of specimens on hand; the introduction of 
seats around the pillars, the painting of the exhibition hall, lab- 
oratory and offices. 
The improvement most apparent to visitors is doubtless the 
painting of the interior. This work was imperative, as the orig- 
inal plaster finish had become soiled and unsightly. 
The change effected by painting has been quite marked, and an 
attractive setting to the exhibits of the Aquarium, has been se- 
cured. 
The renewal of some of the piping in the building has been 
made at different times during the year. It has been both troub- 
lesome and expensive. 
Improvements Needed.—While there are many changes and 
improvements that are desirable, the most important and urgent 
one is the renewal of the heating system and probably of the steam 
pipes, which cannot be delayed longer than a few months. 
Fish Hatchery.—At the beginning of the year a fish hatchery 
was installed in one of the floor pools. Through the cooperation 
of the United States Fisheries Bureau and the State Fisheries, 
Game and Forest Commission, the hatchery was kept in operation 
at a minimum of expense throughout the fish-hatching season. 
Fish eggs were furnished free by the Government, while the young 
fishes were removed by the State Commission. More than 2,000,- 
ooo fry were distributed in State waters. Many specimens of 
each species hatched were retained to be reared for exhibition in 
the Aquarium, as such stock is hardier in captivity than adult 
fishes taken from streams. 
The species hatched and distributed included brook trout, lake 
trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, whitefish, shad, pikeperch and 
yellow perch. The shad were all placed in the upper Hudson; 
the balance, with the exception of the brown trout and yellow 
perch, were planted in Lake George; the eggs of the brown trout 
having been presented by the Tuxedo Club, the fry were donated 
to members of the Zoological Society ; the yellow perch were used 
for stocking the lake at the Zoological Park, with a view to rais- 
ing food for fish-eating birds and mammals. 
