REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 

 AQUARIUM TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS 



IN DECEMBER, 1906, the Xew York Aquarium completed its 

 first decade, with a record of over seventeen millions of vis- 

 itors. Its patronage by the public has been astonishingly large 

 and in the matter of attendance it is probably unequaled by any 

 institution in the world. A building three times as large would 

 be required to comfortably accommodate the visitors which 

 throng it. 



The Zoological Society, in the four years of its management of 

 the institution, has been engaged in improving the building in 

 various ways, the work of the past year having included new 

 boilers and a new ventilating system. The tedious work of re- 

 placing worn-out piping with lead-lined pipe, which has been in 

 progress for several months, is still going on. 



In addition to the regular maintenance fund, the City has gen- 

 erouslv provided an improvement fund, which has made the work 

 of the past four years possible, while the maintenance fund has 

 permitted of a number of minor improvements each year. An- 

 other vear's work should place the equipment of the building in 

 such condition that its collections can be made more varied and 

 interesting than heretofore. 



The emplovees, most of whom have been in the Aquarium many 

 years, continue to render good service, and may be considered ex- 

 perts in their line of work. Their duties are exacting and include 

 cleaning and heating of the building, the care of the different 

 water systems, the feeding and care of the collections and attention 

 to the comfort of visitors. They have gathered by seining from 

 local waters, practically all of the fresh and salt-water fishes now 

 in the Aquarium. 



It is not possible to create any further exhibition space in the 

 present building, which is stocked to its fullest capacity, and addi- 

 tions can no longer be made without rejecting important species 

 now on hand. 



The collections do not change much from year to year, but 

 interesting species are added as opportunity affords. The exhibits 



