BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 209 



Aquaria. These contain a total of 3000-4000 specimens? 

 including .-Fishes, 200± species (f resh- water and marine) ; Batrachians, 

 3o± species; Reptiles, zj.o± species; Mammals, 3 to 5 species; a few 

 aquatic insects and numerous marine invertebrates. The laboratory 

 contains many small self-sustaining aquaria. 



Fish Hatchery. Maintained as a fish-cultural exhibit and 

 producing yearly from 3 to 8 million young food and game fishes, which 

 are afterwards deposited in New York State waters. Fish eggs are 

 supplied by the United States bureau of fisheries from government 

 hatcheries. 



Historical Sketch. The aquarium was opened to the public 

 in 1896, under the control of the park department. On November 1, 

 1902, its management was transferred from the department of parks 

 to the New York Zoological Society. 



Financial Support, An annual appropriation of $45,000 from 

 the city, extra appropriations sometimes being made for improvements. 



Building. Erected in 1807 by the United States Government 

 as a fort, known as West Battery, and after the war of 18 12 as Castle 

 Clinton; in 1 82 2, ceded by Congress to the city of New York, and used 

 as a place of amusement called Castle Garden. Many events of his- 

 torical interest occurred here. From 1855 to 1891, used by the Bureau 

 of Immigration as a landing station for immigrants; opened as an 

 aquarium in 1896. 



The building is circular in form, with a diameter of 205 feet, and 

 contains, besides the large exhibition hall, 6 large offices and workrooms. 

 It has 7 large floor pools, the largest being 37 feet in diameter, and 7 

 feet deep, 94 large wall tanks, and 30 smaller tanks. It is equipped for 

 heating sea water for tropical fishes in winter and has a refrigerating 

 plant for cooling fresh water in summer. The salt-water wall tanks are 

 supplied from a reservoir holding 100,000 gallons of pure stored sea 

 water. This water, brought in by steamer, is used as a " closed cir- 

 culation," the water being pumped through the exhibition tanks and 

 falling thence, through sand filters, back to the reservoir. 



Ajdihnistration. By a director, responsible to the New York 

 Zoological Society through its executive committee. 



Scope. Entertainment and instruction of the^ general public 

 and of the pupils of the city schools. On Monday forenoons it is 

 closed to the public and its facilities placed at the disposal of teachers 

 with their classes. Small aquaria have been placed in 300 schools of 

 the city and teachers are supplied with the surplus zoological material. 

 The research laboratory is used by the staff and by university 



