84 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: 
January ....Total number visitors 74,255 Daily average 2,395 
Pebriary snc 0. x * S027" 3 2,915 
March tee + s i jig eyo pt kas . 3,690 
pil Were: - = i L35,670) 4,522 
Mays. toe as i a LORS SSNe si 5,210 
June’. cc we ri 133,017 = i 4,434 
Jualyae Seo F 3 *, [90,939 2 —— - 6,159 
PUSS (ee eee fh 197,044 = - 6,360 
September 05.5 : s: LO7,302)0 < 6,246 
@ctober).2 6 | a ‘ 11S, 0A Oe ee 4 re 3,811 
November ~> = * : OG,233" a 2,201 
December .. “ i 5 75GlmA ° * 1,856 
AEGEAN staan Sete aie Neen 1,547,073 Daily average 4,240 
BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION. 
The Aquarium undoubtedly offers opportunities for certain 
kinds of biological work. With a great variety and abundance of 
marine and fresh-water forms of life constantly coming to the 
building, it would be quite possible to make the Aquarium more 
or less a station for biological research, as is done at some of the 
aquariums of Europe. 
Although public aquariums and fish cultural establishments suf- 
fer more or less loss on account of the diseases of fishes in captiv- 
ity, this important subject has never been thoroughly studied. It is 
highly desirable that some studies of this nature be undertaken at 
the New York Aquarium with a view to reducing the death-rate 
from fish-fungus and other diseases. 
During the past summer the New York Department of Health 
conducted at the Aquarium a series of experiments relative to 
the possibility of infecting oysters with typhoid baccilli. Labora- 
tory facilities were furnished in the building, and specimens and 
jars were set aside for the purpose. 
The subject is one of great interest in connection with public 
health, and is of vital importance to the oyster industry. 
The result of these experiments will be found in a paper in 
this report prepared by Dr. Cyrus W. Field, of the City Health 
Department. 
The development of the institution to some extent along educa- 
tional and scientific lines would in no way interfere with its im- 
portant uses as a place of recreation for the people or appreciably 
increase its cost of maintenance. 
Respectfully submitted, 
CHARLES H. TOWNSEND, 
Director of the Aquarium. 
