THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPOR'l" 33 



fact tliat I,4i3.')j7 people visited the Zoological i'ark, and 

 2,536,1-17 visited the Aquarium, making- the remarkable total 

 of visitors to the two institutions of 3,949,824, a total increase 

 over the attendance for 1907 of 542,390. It can be safely stated 

 that the attendance at the Aquarium for the year 1908 is the 

 largest attendance of any scientific institution in the world. The 

 cost to the City for providing amusement, recreation and scientific 

 instruction to this great number was about five cents for each 

 visitor. 



During the past year the most important permanent improve- 

 ment comprised the completion of the Elephant House ; the par- 

 tial construction of a very extensive and important series of yards 

 for its inhabitants ; the completion of the Concourse and Ap- 

 proach : completion of the Concourse Entrance on Pelham Ave- 

 nue ; completion of the new Soda Pavilion, and of the walks and 

 retaining walls surrounding it ; and the commencement of the 

 work on the Administration Building. 



The membership of the Society on Januar}- i, 1909, showed a 

 slight increase over 1907, and was as follows : 



Benefactors and Founders 27 



Associate Founders 13 



Patrons 38 



Life ^Members 189 



Annual ^Members i .397 



Corresponding and Honorary Members 14 



Total Membership 1,678 



As against a total of 1.624 in 1907. 



FINANCES. 



Animal Fund. — During the year 1908 the receipts for the 

 Anima! Fund have been as follows : 



Special subscriptions S4. 230.00 



Received from sales of animals 1,561.50 



Received from Park privileges 19,779.93 



Balance from the year 1907 i •325-33 



Total receipts $26,896.76 



During the year there was expended for ani- 

 mals the sum of 13,678.01 



Balance January i, 1909 $13,218.75 



