On top of a rocky cliff facing the majesti.- 

 St. Lawrence near the Québec Bridge, the 

 Biological Centre has two outstanding advan- 

 tages. Just off the traffic highways, it is 

 readily accessible to visitors. Blending in 

 perfectly with its natural setting, it lends to 

 the aquaria an atmosphère of nature undis- 

 turbed. It is a constant reminder that the 

 aquatic fàuna, a variety of forms bearing 

 ■witness to the riches of our waters and 

 displayed hère for our contemplative pleasure, 

 are to be respected. 



This distinctive atmosphère, inspired by 

 the site and enhanced by the curved lines of 

 the building harmonizing with the landscape, 

 is accentuated as we pass through the main 

 entrance to the hall. The transparency of the 

 glass-brick wall on the south side provides a 

 view of the surroundings, as it were, through 

 a mass of water. This impression is still 

 further intensified by the gentle sloping towards 

 submarine depths as we descend the steps to 

 the aquarium galleries. The diffused lighting 

 and the curved lines of the galleries concur 

 in creating an atmosphère of those vast marine 

 spaces that are the natural habitat of fish. 



Now the visitor is in contact with a dif- 

 férent world. In the subdued light, the 

 harmonious movements of the fish compose a 

 sort cf symphonie poem whose silent rhythm 

 produces an impression of unforgettable calm 

 and mystery. The forms, odd or élégant; their 

 colouring, in solid dots, in variegation, or in 

 zebra-like stripes, change lustres on thèse 

 bodies in movement and rouse the admiration 

 of viewers who discover the variety and riches 

 of our aquatic fauna, the most représentative 

 forms of which are enclosed within the aqua- 

 rium. Hère, the Atlantic Salmon, monarch of 

 our waters, whose majestic and powerful move- 

 ments bring to mind their migratory ascents 



