Fish Gulturists' A^scdation. 11 



After some formal resolutions, the thanks of the association were 

 tendered to Mr. Page and the other members of the firm for placing the 

 room at the disposal of the society. 



The meeting then adjourned. 



RESOLUTIONS OF E. G. BLACKFORD. 



Gentlemen : It seems to me that the present assemblage, composed 

 of gentlemen all devoted to fish culture, many of them representing 

 important State interests, some of them distinguished for their great 

 scientific acquaintance in natural histor3% — it strikes me that it might 

 not be out of place to introduce before you a subject which I know some 

 of 3'ou have thought of before, and that is in regard to founding an 

 Aquarium in the City of New York. It must be manifest to you, that 

 icthj'ology — its practical study — is surrounded by certain difficulties, 

 which do not attend researches in zoology. It ma}' be troublesome to 

 obtain live animals, but once a collection made, can be maintained in 

 pretty nearly its natural normal conditions ; but with fish it is different ; 

 their preservation depends entirel}' in other and more complex media. 

 We do not possess, all of us, those oppoi'tunities Professor Baird and 

 other gentlemen have, of going to Wood's Hole or Noank, and watching 

 the habits of fish in their native element ; and even if we had, I doubt 

 if we ever could have made such brilliant discoveries as these gentlemen 

 have given us. I think we must all agree that it is essential for a better 

 acquaintance with icthyolog}', that there should be an Aquarium, not only 

 for practical but for scientific research. I take the liberty of proposing 

 that Professor Baird should give us some ideas on this subject. In the 

 Times and in Ajypleton's Journal, there have appeared a number of 

 abl}' written articles in regard to the founding of an aquarium in New 

 York, and it seems that the trouble and expense of an aquarium would 

 not be very great. I believe that in time the erection of an aquarium in 

 this cit3% the rival of the one in Brighton, is quite possible. If my 

 views meet with a response, I should be glad to propose the following 

 resolutions. What I would like, is simply the concurrence of the Fish 

 Culturists' Association, and their endorsement. jVIy resolutions would 

 be somewhat as follows : 



1st. That the Fish Culturists' Association believe that an Aquarium 

 in New York would be of the greatest benefit to science generally, and to 

 icthyology particularly. 



2d. That the Fish Culturists' Association full}' endorse any private 

 or public measures which would tend towards the establishment of an 

 Aquarium in New York. 



