76 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



voir now in course of construction will enable the Aquarium to 

 maintain a permanent stored supply of pure salt water, such as 

 can never be procured from New York Bay at any season. 



OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. 



Among the minor improvements, may be mentioned the ad- 

 dition of a number of reserve tanks, so that it will be possible to 

 keep a larger stock of specimens on hand; the introduction of 

 seats around the pillars, the painting of the exhibition hall, lab« 

 oratory and offices. 



The improvement most apparent to visitors is doubtless the 

 painting of the interior. This work was imperative, as the orig- 

 inal plaster finish had become soiled and unsightly. 



The change effected by painting has been quite marked, and an 

 attractive setting to the exhibits of the Aquarium, has been se- 

 cured. 



The renewal of some of the piping in the building has been 

 made at different times during the year. It has been both troub- 

 lesome and expensive. 



Improvements Needed. — While there are many changes and 

 improvements that are desirable, the most important and urgent 

 one is the renewal of the heating system and probably of the steam 

 pipes, which cannot be delayed longer than a few months. 



Fish Hatchery. — At the beginning of the year a fish hatchery 

 was installed in one of the floor pools. Through the cooperation 

 of the United States Fisheries Bureau and the State Fisheries, 

 Game and Forest Commission, the hatchery was kept in operation 

 at a minimum of expense throughout the fish-hatching season. 

 Fish eggs were furnished free by the Government, while the young 

 fishes were removed by the State Commission. More than 2,000,- 

 000 fry were distributed in State waters. Many specimens of 

 each species hatched were retained to be reared for exhibition in 

 the Aquarium, as such stock is hardier in captivity than adult 

 fishes taken from streams. 



The species hatched and distributed included brook trout, lake 

 trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, whitefish, shad, pikeperch and 

 yellow perch. The shad were all placed in the upper Hudson; 

 the balance, with the exception of the brown trout and yellow 

 perch, were planted in Lake George ; the eggs of the brown trout 

 having been presented by the Tuxedo Club, the fry were donated 

 to members of the Zoological Society ; the yellow perch were used 

 for stocking the lake at the Zoological Park, with a view to rais- 

 ing food for fish-eating birds and mammals. 



