THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 41 



Bronx River and in Westchester County, and to the existence of 

 the water system of Bronx Park in New York City. No other 

 scheme has been, or can be, devised as economical as the purchase, 

 and acquisition by gift, of the lands along the Bronx \'allev, 

 and their dedication to Park purposes. It is probably only a ques- 

 tion of time when this project will be carried through. 



NEW YORK AQUARIUM. 



The New York Aquarium is now on a better basis than ever 

 before, a new sea-water system having made possible the keeping 

 of many kinds of fishes and invertebrates not hitherto exhibited 

 here. 



An underground reservoir of loo.ooo gallons capacity was 

 filled with pure sea water in July, 1908, since which time the 

 marine species have been kept in healthful condition, numerous 

 delicate forms adapting themselves perfectly to the conditions of 

 captivity. Early in the summer of 1909 it will be possible to 

 stock the tanks with still more attractive examples of sea life, now 

 that the use of the stored sea water is well understood. 



This splendid water supply relieves the Aquarium of the handi- 

 cap under which it formerly operated when salt water had to be 

 pumped from our sadly polluted harbor. 



Each year since the Zoological Society took charge of the 

 Aquarium, it has. with the ready cooperation of the City, made 

 that great museum of aquatic life more and more popular with 

 the people. Further improvements are in progress, chiefly in the 

 way of lighting the building, which will add to its attractiveness. 



The latest arrivals are a green turtle from the West Indies, 

 weighing 400 pounds, and a collection of fishes from Lake 

 Huron. The collection of tropical fishes, now for the first time 

 successfully wintering at the Aquarium, is very attractive in form, 

 and color. 



On the forenoon of September 28. 1908, the Fourth Interna- 

 tional Fisheries Congress was specially entertained at the Aqua- 

 rium, ^lany of the foreign delegates were surprised to find that 

 Xew York maintained a distinctly larger and better stocked 

 aquarium than is to be found anywhere in Europe. It collects and 

 succeeds in keeping aquatic forms, the exhibition of which is 

 not attempted elsewhere. 



NATIONAL COLLECTION OF HEADS AND HORNS. 



During the past year many important specimens have been pre- 

 sented to the National Collection of Heads and Horns. The 



