REPORT OF THE 

 DIRECTOR OF THE AQUARIUM 



TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS 



Part I. 



SPECIAL REPORT ON THE 

 ENLARGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM 



THE Director of the Aquarium deems it advisable in the pres- 

 ent report, to depart somewhat from the form which has been 

 followed heretofore, omitting much detail respecting adminis- 

 tration, with a view to giving prominence to matters concerning 

 the future development of the institution. 



This seems to be desirable for several reasons, one of which 

 is the phenomenally large patronage by the public. During the 

 seven years in which the Zoological Society has been responsible 

 for the administration of the Aquarium, its attendance has in- 

 creased beyond that of any institution at home or abroad, of 

 which we have been able to procure records. 



The present year ends with the number of visitors exceed- 

 ing 3,800,000, or more than that of all the other museums of the 

 City combined. 



The increase in attendance each j^ear over that of the pre- 

 ceding year, has been counted by hundreds of thousands, while 

 the past year's increase was more than a million. This was not 

 attributable to the crowds of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, as 

 the Aquarium had over two and a half millions before the cele- 

 bration began. 



It is really urgent that steps be taken by the Board of 

 Managers to place this museum on a logical basis with respect to 

 administrative functions. 



Its attractive exhibits and crowds of visitors cannot alone 

 place it in the rank with regard to other museums which it is 

 now desirable that it assume. It has already become the most 



