REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 

 AQUARIUM. 



DURING the year that has passed since the Zoological 

 Society undertook the management of the Aquarium, 

 important improvements have been made in the building and its 

 equipment. 



Its conditions and requirements have had the careful consider- 

 ation of the officers of the Society. The Director, as a result of his 

 studies among the public aquariums abroad, prepared plans for 

 increasing the efficiency of the equipment of the building, and 

 has had the hearty cooperation of the Aquarium Committee. 



The alterations and additions that have been made were direct- 

 ed toward increasing the attractiveness of the Aquarium and se- 

 curing the safety of its exhibits. While much remains to be done, 

 the idea of simplifying the machinery and reducing the ultimate 

 cost of operation has been kept in mind. 



The renewal, on improved plans, of all badly worn equipment 

 is still in progress. 



IMPROVEMENT OF THE BUILDING. 



With the $30,000 of bonds granted by the Board of Estimate 

 and Apportionment in the spring of 1903, contracts were made 

 for certain alterations and improvements of the interior of the 

 building, the admission of more light and the construction of an 

 underground reservoir to contain pure sea water. The alterations 

 included the removal of an unsightly balcony at the south side of 

 the exhibition hall and the restoration of the original curve of the 

 interior, the passage-way being thrown behind the arches, as in 

 other parts of the main balcony. 



Light. — The outer series of skylights used for the illumination 

 of the wall tanks were trebled in size. Additional skylights were 

 placed above the dome, and those over the floor pools were en- 

 larged. The opening in the dome for the admission of light was 

 also greatly enlarged. In all, 42 skylights were changed. 



These changes have long been needed, and the gain in light is 

 such that the collections in the tanks may be viewed with satisfac- 

 tion. 



