TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT 43 



During the year, 2,587 specimens were purchased by the Zoo- 

 logical Society, and 166 were presented. In addition to these, 

 two millions of fish eggs were received from the U. S. Bureau 

 of Fisheries, which were hatched in the Aquarium and later dis- 

 tributed in public waters. 



ALTERATIONS TO AQUARIUM. 



It is proposed to apply to the City for $100,000 for the 

 alteration of the present Aquarium Building so as to remove 

 the boilers from the present quarters which are monthly flooded 

 by the full-moon tides dangerously close to the actual fires. The 

 existing conditions compel our men to work in most unsanitary 

 surroundings and at a great disadvantage, in addition to loss of 

 heat and power in the pumps and engines. If these boilers were 

 removed to the cellar under the front of the building, the space 

 now occupied by the machinery could be devoted to additional 

 exhibits. A third story on the front of the building is also need- 

 ed to provide additional space for administration and for re- 

 search work in connection with the scientific utilization of the 

 mass of material now available. 



COAL SHORTAGE AT AQUARIUM. 



The Aquarium during the winter of 1917-1918 has been 

 several times seriously imperilled by the coal shortage. We are 

 at present without bunker facilities for the storage of a reserve 

 supply of coal, and we are dependent on the deliveries at least 

 every two days. While we hope to be able to maintain the Aqua- 

 rium during the winter, this condition has become intolerable. 

 As soon as the City's financial condition permits, every efltort 

 will be made to secure the appropriation needed for the altera- 

 tion of this institution. 



Park. — The sum of $199,560 was provided by the City for 

 the maintenance of the Zoological Park for the year 1917, and 

 by dint of the strictest economy, the year closed without a deficit 

 in this fund. The food supply of the animals was supplemented 

 by farming on Park land by volunteer labor from our employees 

 and the Executive Committee wish to take this opportunity to 

 express its appreciation of the willingness and patriotism of its 

 Park staff. 



