EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT. 83 



In the preparation of these labels the general character of the 

 questions ordinarily asked by visitors was kept in mind. The 

 following specimen label shows that each species has been treated 

 with reference to its names, geographic distribution, abundance, 

 size, whether artificially propagated, market value and value as 

 a game fish. 



STRIPED BASS (ROCCUS UNEATUS.) 



ALSO CALLED ROCK-FISH. 

 Atlantic coast-Maine to Florida, ascending rivers. 



INTRODUCED AND ABUNDANT IN CALIFORNIA. 



Reaches a weight of about 100 pounds. 



SPECIMENS RAISED IN THE AQUARIUM,— NOW NINE YEARS OLD. 

 An important market fish-^Vk million pounds sold yearly. 



AFFORDS TO SPORTSMEN THE FINEST OF SEA FISHING. 



TRANSPARENT LABEL. 



Uniforms. — Attractive uniforms of gray cloth have been pro- 

 vided for the employees, which insures a neater appearance of the 

 force in general, and is a convenience to visitors seeking informa- 

 tion. 



The Aquarium force, as a whole, has rendered satisfactory 

 service during the year. Most of the men have been here several 

 years. 



ATTENDANCE. 



The attendance in 1903 was 1,547,873, making a daily average 

 of 4,240 visitors. The average daily attendance during July, Au- 

 gust and September was 6,255. The Sunday average for the same 

 period was 10,166. The attendance on Labor Day was 18,800. 

 But for the extensive construction work going on in November 

 and December, the remarkably large attendance at this institution 

 would doubtless have been still greater. Few records of the at- 

 tendance at other public institutions are available for comparison, 

 but the New York Aquarium is doubtless in the lead in this re- 

 spect. The total number of persons who visited the Metropolitan 

 Museum of Art during the year 1903 was 802,900. 



The following table shows the attendance at the Aquarium by 

 months. 



