140 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



Owing to the fact that the lead-lined piping in this tunnel 

 was threaded, and the edges of the lead-lining not properly 

 brought together, the piping was taken out and flanged ; the edges 

 of the lead-lining being carried on to the flanges to insure water 

 tight unions at each joint. Later on this section of piping was 

 again removed and the thin lining replaced with heavier lead, 

 the original lining having collapsed under suction of the pump. 



The lead-lining of the large seven-inch valves in the reser- 

 voir having also collapsed for the same reason, was replaced with 

 heavier lead and the construction of the valves slightly changed 

 to insure them against breakdowns in future. These repairs 

 have made the lead-lined system throughout as nearly perfect as 

 it is possible to make this kind of piping. There are a few sec- 

 tions of threaded piping still remaining in the valve room of the 

 reservoir. It is our intention to remove and flange these sections 

 also as a safeguard against breakdowns. 



Owing to leaks which occurred in the tunnel pipes which 

 could not be reached for repairs, several thousand gallons of 

 the stored sea water in the reservoir were lost. A break in the 

 lead heating coil in the tank room resulted in a further loss of 

 stored sea water so that altogether more than half of the water 

 in the reservoir was lost. An additional supply of pure sea 

 water was secured from the vicinity of Sandy Hook lightship, 

 and the reservoir filled up. 



The broken lead heating coil was repaired and is giving en- 

 tire satisfaction. This heater of chemical lead, which was in- 

 stalled last year, has proved a successful heater for sea water 

 and has been a great satisfaction as compared with former heat- 

 ers constructed of iron or bronze. 



The small bronze heater employed for warming the water 

 supplied to the central pool having worn out, was replaced with 

 a copper heater coated with pure tin. It remains to be seen how 

 long this material will endure under the peculiar conditions in 

 which it is used. 



During these various breakdowns which necessitated the 

 stopping of the bronze reservoir pump, the salt water collec- 

 tions were carried safely for six days by the air pump alone. 

 This was done in preference to turning on the harbor line and 

 incurring the risk of attempting to keep ocean fishes in foul 

 water. 



This was the first employment of the air pump in the New 

 York Aquarium, and its value as an accessory to the pumping 

 equipment seems to be demonstrated. 



