84 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



January . .. .Total number visitors 74,255 Daily average 2,395 



February... " " " 81,627 " " 2,915 



March " " " 114,391 " " 3,690 



April " " " . 135,670 M " 4,522 



May - " - 161,538 " " 5,210 



June " " " 133,017 " " 4,434 



July u " " 190,939 " " 6,159 



August .... u " " 197,144 " " 6,360 



September .. " " " 187,382 " " 6,246 



October.... " " " 118,146 " " 3,811 



November .. " 96,233 " " 3,201 



December . . " " " 57,53i " " 1,856 



Total 1,547,873 Daily average 4,240 



BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION. 



The Aquarium undoubtedly offers opportunities for certain 

 kinds of biological work. With a great variety and abundance of 

 marine and fresh-water forms of life constantly coming to the 

 building, it would be quite possible to make the Aquarium more 

 or less a station for biological research, as is done at some of the 

 aquariums of Europe. 



Although public aquariums and fish cultural establishments suf- 

 fer more or less loss on account of the diseases of fishes in captiv- 

 ity, this important subject has never been thoroughly studied. It is 

 highly desirable that some studies of this nature be undertaken at 

 the New York Aquarium with a view to reducing the death-rate 

 from fish-fungus and other diseases. 



During the past summer the New York Department of Health 

 conducted at the Aquarium a series of experiments relative to 

 the possibility of infecting oysters with typhoid baccilli. Labora- 

 tory facilities were furnished in the building, and specimens and 

 jars were set aside for the purpose. 



The subject is one of great interest in connection with public 

 health, and is of vital importance to the oyster industry. 



The result of these experiments will be found in a paper in 

 this report prepared by Dr. Cyrus W. Field, of the City Health 

 Department. 



The development of the institution to some extent along educa- 

 tional and scientific lines would in no way interfere with its im- 

 portant uses as a place of recreation for the people or appreciably 

 increase its cost of maintenance. 



Respectfully submitted, 

 Charles H. Townsend, 



Director of the Aquarium. 



