TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT 107 



There has been some loss of water from the Aquarium 

 reservoir in Battery Park. The piping system and the ex- 

 hibition tanks have been repeatedly examined for leaks but with- 

 out result. At times the loss has amounted to the lowering of 

 the general water level from two to three inches a month. 



The reservoir may have developed a small leak as the result 

 of the heavy subway blasting that has been going on in Battery 

 Park for several months. The losses have been made up by 

 additions but it is now necessary to cut off and test each of the 

 four sections of the reservoir in turn until the leak can be 

 located, and this is being done. 



SANITARY CONDITIONS. 



It seems desirable to refer to this matter, as there is an 

 impression in some quarters that the Aquarium is not as well 

 ventilated as it might be. This is in part due to the fact that 

 the Aquarium formerly had no mechanical system of ventilation. 

 The installation of the Sturtevant system some years ago had 

 the result of remedying this defect to a considerable extent. In 

 warm weather when the building is crowded with visitors the 

 air often becomes close. 



Natural ventilation is almost lacking as the heavy walls of 

 the Aquarium have few openings, and the windows of the 

 second story are placed too high to affect the ground floor except 

 on very windy days. It should be borne in mind that under such 

 conditions perfect ventilation is difficult. This is due to the 

 peculiar construction of the building. 



Much of the labor of the Aquarium force is directed to the 

 work of cleaning. The floors are carefully swept each evening 

 and are washed every morning before visitors arrive. A vacuum 

 cleaner is kept in regular use. The service galleries behind the 

 exhibition tanks are kept well whitewashed, and washing and 

 painting in various parts of the building is going on almost con- 

 tinuously. There can be little dirt in the Aquarium except what 

 comes in various ways with the daily crowd of visitors. 



While there is much that contributes to the soiling of floors 

 and painted surfaces, cleaning goes on without cessation and 

 the Director maintains that the Aquarium is well cared for in 

 this respect. Some extension of the mechanical ventilating 

 system is undoubtedly desirable, but the presence of large 

 crowds of visitors must necessarily affect the air just as it does 

 in theatres or other crowded buildings. 



