92 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



The chief interest which attaches to this record is the low 

 sahnity of the w-ater of the harbor, as compared with that of the 

 open sea, which is about 1.028. 



The impurity of the harbor water and its low salinity have, 

 until the present year, made the keeping of marine life in the 

 Aquarium most difihcult. Since the pure sea-water supply has 

 been available the losses among marine animals in the tanks for 

 the period from July to December, inclusive, have been reduced 

 about 50 per cent, as compared with the same period of former 

 years. 



Never before have really large numbers of tropical fishes 

 been carried through to the end of the year, and the numbers 

 of such fishes now on hand encourage the hope that losses during 

 the winter will be reduced to the minimum. 



This record of six-years' daily observations is the only one of 

 its kind that has been kept in the City, and, together with the 

 record of specimens lost on account of bad water, throws light 

 on the subject of the pollution of the harbor. 



The time is approaching when fish life can not exist in the 

 water of the harbor at all — when those lower forms of marine 

 life which assist in the disposal of waste matter will themselves 

 be dispersed. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Charles H. Towxsexd. 



Director. 



