[9] PRINCIPAL AQUAEIUMS ABROAD IN 1873. 639 



ness purposes, the entrance being at the side and up a broad staircase 

 through to the rear. The area occupied is 100 square rods and the 

 structure is two stories high, but is so arranged that the distance from 

 top to bottom appears much greater, and indeed all appearance of a 

 building is lost, the visitor being apparently in an extensive natural 

 grotto or cavern, with long vistas underground varied with lakes and 

 little brooks. The semblance of natural walls of rocks and of arches 

 worn out by the elements is admirable. The foot-paths wind about be- 

 tween the tanks for the fish, and are so arranged as to pass one below 

 another and give the efl'ect of distance. All trace of the busy city life 

 without is lost. The sounds of traf&c do not penetrate the rocky walls 

 and there is nothing to divert the mind from the study of the habits of 

 the wonders of marine and terrestrial life there brought together. 



It has been found desirable to add some of the more remarkable and 

 curious animals and a collection of birds to the collections of marine 

 and fresh- water life, but these animals consist almost exclusively of such 

 species as are seldom found in zoological gardens. The upper story or 

 upper portion of the grotto is devoted mainly to such animals, to birds 

 and reptiles, while the lower portions contain the fish in a series of tanks, 

 with lilate-glass fronts bordered by rock- work. The principal divisions 

 of the interior are, the hall of serpents, the geological cavern, the aviary, 

 the fresh- water gallery, the staircase cavern, the northern, the middle, 

 and the southern halls. 



In the hall of serijents a variety of the reptiles of Europe and other 

 countries are displayed in suitable wall cages, among them the boas, 

 poisonous serpents, lizards, and chameleons. 



The aviary is so arranged as to appear to be in a cavern, the geological 

 cavern, in which the stratification and other phenomena of rocks are 

 shown. There are also basins for crocodiles and other animals. In the 

 fresh-water gallery on the right are placed cages for birds and on the 

 left tanks for the river and sea fishes of Europe. Apparatus for arti- 

 ficial fish breeding is shown along the staircase or winding descent in 

 the cavern, and there is also a small pond for beavers at the bottom. 

 The three large halls are devoted to the marine life. The total number 

 of tanks and cages is not less than 150. 



The number of animals, including fishes, &c., is about 15,000, of 800 

 species, but the number is increasing constantly, and there is more or 

 ess fatality and constant change. 



The sea-water is artificially prepared and proves to be satisfactory. 

 About 10,000 cubic feet are required and only such portions are renewed 

 as are spoiled or lost in the basins. It circulates constantly, and is 

 pumped into a reservoir at an elevation of 70 feet, from which it flows 

 to the tanks and is cleared by filtration on the way. Experience en- 

 tailed successive modifications until satisfactory results were attained. 



The place is very popular. It is lighted with gas and is open in the 

 evenings. There are suitable places for resting and refreshments. The 



