TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 135 



which were received in January, are at the close of the year in 

 thriving condition. 



The sea horse (Hippocampus hudsonius) seems to have dis- 

 appeared from local waters, where it has hitherto been common. 

 Specimens have not been available for two years although the 

 collectors have visited several points where it was formerly ob- 

 tainable. No single exhibit in the Aquarium is of more interest 

 to visitors than a collection of sea horses, inquiry about them 

 being made almost daily. The sea horse has no power to stem 

 tides and currents and is not known to be migratory, having been 

 taken about Long Island during most months of the year. Its 

 disappearance may be attributed to the unusually severe winter 

 of 1918. 



The fish-culture exhibit was maintained as usual, fish eggs 

 were supplied from government hatcheries by the U. S. Bureau 

 of Fisheries and from New York State hatcheries by the Conser- 

 vation Commission. The output of young fishes consisting of yel- 

 low perch, pike-perch, smelt and whitefish, to the number of six 

 millions, was turned over to the states of New York and New 

 Jersey for deposit in public waters. The whitefish were deposited 

 chiefly in Lake Champlain. 



Limnlus to Monaco. — At the request of the Prince of Monaco 

 the Aquarium sent twenty-five specimens of horse-shoe crabs 

 {Limnlus) to the Oceanographic Museum at Monaco. As had 

 been done in the case of former shipments of this species to 

 Europe, they were sent in crates without water, instructions be- 

 ing given that the crates should be wetted each day with sea 

 water. Owing to lack of care while in the hands of the shipping 

 agent at Newport News, Virginia, the specimens became weak- 

 ened and none survived the sea voyage. Free transportation to 

 Marseilles on the Union Sulphur Company's steamer Hewitt was 

 secured through the courtesy of Mr. Henry Whiton of New York. 

 Arrangements are being made for another shipment. 



Collecting Boat. — Early in February the Executive Commit- 

 tee authorized the construction of a 35-foot motor-driven well- 

 boat for the use of the Aquarium. As all of the exhibits of the 

 Aquarium are collected by the employes, a suitable collecting 

 boat has always been needed. Owing to labor troubles, this 

 vessel was not completed in time for use during the present year. 

 Its launching has therefore been postponed until April 1920. The 

 vessel is of very staunch build, and will be available for work 



