TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. 337 



plastered in imitation of a roughly blasted tunnel. Where the two 

 arms of the L met, a rotunda was formed, with a pool at the bottom of 

 the rockwork, in imitation of the entrance to a water cave, which was 

 illuminated by electric lights. Here and there in the grotto, masses of 

 ferns and other evergreens were planted in the rockwork. Two arched 

 portals, in imitation of cut stoue, and of simple architectural design, 

 formed the entrance to the grotto. The pool in the rotunda referred to 

 was one of the most attractive features of the aquarium, being tilled 

 with bright-colored fishes, and lighted with electric lights, submerged 

 in water. It also contained a large sturgeon, about 5 feet long, which 

 was an endless source of amusement and interest to the visiting public. 

 The plans for the aquarium were prepared by Mr. G. A. Schneider, 

 who was in charge of its construction and installation. 



FISHES IN THE AQUARIUM. 



Collections of salt-water fishes were made at Morehead City, N. C, 

 and at Pensacola, Fla., under the direction of Mr. L. G. Harron, the 

 superintendent of the aquarium. The fresh-water fishes were chiefly 

 obtained from the Fish Commission stations at Wytheville, Va., and 

 Quincy, 111., and the fish-ponds in Washington, though collections of 

 fishes native to that section were made from time to time in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of Nashville. 



During the summer much difficulty was experienced in keeping up 

 the display of fishes on account of the intense heat prevailing at that 

 time. In June the temperature of the water rose rapidly, and when it 

 reached 78° it became necessary to resort to artificial means to save 

 the fish, notwithstanding that the specimens on exhibition were all 

 collected in southern waters. This was accomplished by passing the 

 water through 300 feet of iron pipe arranged in the shape of a coil'and 

 packed in crushed ice and salt. 



By this means the temperature of the water was kept down below 

 70°, but the method proved very expensive, as it required over 1£ tons 

 of ice per day. Later in the season the water from the well was used 

 for cooling the salt water after it had passed through the trough and 

 tanks containing salmon eggs and salmon. 



FISH FOOD. 



Bound beefsteak was mainly used for food, although the diet was 

 varied by the use of beef liver, live minnows, clams, and fiddler-crabs. 

 The latter were shipped by express from Pensacola, packed in sand. 

 In the preparation of the beef and liver the fat and sinews were care- 

 fully removed, and it was then cut in sizes to suit the fish. For the 

 small specimens it was ground fine in a meat-chopper; for the larger, in 

 pieces varying in size. In feeding the marine fishes with beef or liver 

 a small amount of table salt was added. The black bass and crappie, 

 which were the most difficult to keep, were fed entirely on minnows. 

 F. R. 98 22 



