84 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



are varied and include fishes, turtles, crocodilians. salamanders, 

 frogs, marine mammals, and invertebrates, all of which are dis- 

 tributed according to the space available. The exhibits in gen- 

 eral are larger and more varied than those of any other aquarium. 



A small fish-hatchery, maintained as an exhibit of fish-culture, 

 continues to be of interest to the public, and has been supplied 

 annually with fish eggs by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries from 

 Government hatcheries. 



The collection of tropical fishes from the West Indies receives 

 some additions each summer, and annual exchanges of fishes are 

 made with the aquariums at Detroit and Washington. 



Among the larger animals received during the year were a 

 400-pound loggerhead turtle, seven specimens of the giant snap- 

 ping turtle of the Lower [Mississippi, two large tarpons, two 

 manatees, three hawksbill turtles, and two sea-lions. The tarpons 

 — accidental wanderers from the South — were taken in New 

 York Bay and were objects of great interest during the summer. 



The experiment of keeping sea-lions in the building has re- 

 sulted satisfactorily. It was feared that these naturally noisy 

 animals would be disturbing to visitors, but they have been trained 

 to a condition of comparative quiet. 



The collection of sea turtles is exceptionally fine, consisting of 

 loggerheads — the largest weighing 400 pounds ; green turtles — 

 the largest weighing 313 pounds ; hawksbills — the largest weighing 

 60 pounds, and a Pacific green turtle of about 50 pounds. 



The floor pools available for large aquatic animals, being only 

 seven in number, a definite limit is placed on exhibits of this class. 



The work of photographing living fishes and other aquatic 

 forms in the Aquarium has been continued as opportunity afforded, 

 so that the best of illustrations of this character are now available. 



ATTENDANCE. 



For the past three years the attendance at the Aquarium has 

 been increasing. The year 1906 has proved to be a record year, 

 the total number of visitors having been 2,106,569 — a daily aver- 

 age of 5,771. The increase over the year 1905 amounts to 

 380,399. 



The summer attendance was exceptionally large ; that of the 

 month of August having been 369,547 — a daily average of 11,921 

 for the month. The Sunday attendance during August varied 

 from 20,000 to 27.000. 



