640 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [10] 



price of entrance is equal to about 25 cents, cliildren half-price, and there 

 are some cheap or half-price days. The total number of visitors from 

 May to December, 1869, was 212,540; in 1870 there were 210,056; in 

 1871, 215,828, and in 1872, 254,078. 



The company is organized with a capital of 200,000 Prussian thalers, 

 equivalent to about $150,000, and regular 6 per cent, dividends have 

 been paid annually. It is understood that there is a surplus fund, and 

 an extra dividend is expected in April, 1874. 



The designs for the caverns and rock- work were executed by Mr. Leier, 

 of Hanover, now deceased. 



AQUARIUM AT THE PARIS EXPOSITION, 1867. 



The aquarium at the Paris Exposition in 1867, was one of the most 

 notable of the attractions of the garden. There was no outer display 

 of a building, nothing but a picturesque addition to the ground in the 

 form of the entrance to a cavern, or grotto. The semblance of a stalac- 

 titic cave was perfect. The visitor leaving the green sward and par- 

 terres of flowers without, wandered between huge stalactites, in irreg- 

 ular winding passages, shutting out the light of da^^ except that which 

 penetrated dimly through the tanks of sea- water at the sides and in the 

 roof. 



THE NAPLES AQUARIUM. 



The marine aquarium recently completed at Naples is located on the 

 Eiviera, near the central point of attraction to the public. The tanks 

 are arranged on three sides of a large oblong hall, and the light enters 

 the water from above, as in other aquaria. A double row of smaller 

 tanks extend along the center, and these are lighted by a central open- 

 ing, or court. 



The space in the building above is devoted to the naturalists' labora- 

 tory, where there are tanks and work tables sufficient to accommodate 

 twelve zoologists. Tables are rented to representatives from the lead- 

 ing universities and museums of the world. Great pains have been 

 taken to secure a full zoological library. It now includes a nearly com- 

 plete set of embryological works and all the principal zoological jour- 

 nals. These data regarding the aquarium at Naples are condensed 

 from correspondence of the London Athenaeum. 



Mill Rock, New Haven, May, 1874. 



