for thelr instruction and wonderment about 

 marine fauna that are often difficult of ap- 

 proach. 



Yet, while observing: this spectacle devolve, 

 one should think of the other side of the décor. 

 It is the invisible yet highly essential section 

 of the aquarium where a whole group of people 

 busily attend the basins, feed the fish, and 

 supervise the complex installation whose proper 

 functioning is of vital importance to the spéci- 

 mens in captivity. Each species has its own 

 characteristics, therefore conditions most like 

 the natural habitat must be maintained. The 

 purity and température of the water suitable 

 for différent species, the quantity of oxygen 

 they require, and ail the factors which déter- 

 mine the health and well-being of this varied 

 fauna must given full considération and ensured 

 through a complex mechanical installation for 

 filtration, aération, and réfrigération of the 

 water. The fresh-water System eonsists of 

 fourteen exhibition aquaria of an individual 

 capacity ranging from 325 to 3,750 gallons, 

 representing a total volume of 32,260 gallons. 



There are also supplementary thanks for the 

 care of sick fish and for the storage of water. 

 The salt-water system supplies sixteen exhibition 

 aquaria whose individual capacity varies from 

 500 to 3,850 gallons, a total volume of 63,000 

 gallons for the aquaria and the water-storage 

 réservoirs. Both the fresh-water and the salt- 

 water circulation Systems function in closed 

 circuit. A complète system of pumps, filters, 

 and thermostats assures the various opérations 

 of water-conditioning. The pipe-system is of 

 plastic. 



On the floor above the aquaria there is a 

 restaurant at the disposai of those visitors who 

 wish to enjoy a light meal or refreshments 

 while admiring the magnificient panorama of 

 the River, the Québec Bridge, and the South 

 Shore. This cafeteria-type restaurant is under 

 the administration of La Société Linnéenne de 

 Québec. The receipts are used to defray the 

 costs of school-visits, a splendid initiative under- 

 taken for the purpose of instructing young 

 people about our fauna and helping them realize 

 the importance of planned conservation. Groups 



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