291 
[Annual Meeting-. 
1891.] 
The main collection will show in separate groups the 
animals found associated in the different oceanic areas and 
in the distinct zones of life found between the shore and 
the deep sea. Here again only the measure of the success 
attending the undertaking will mark the limit to which it 
will be possible to go in displaying the inhabitants of dis- 
tant waters. The fauna south of Cape Cod is in large 
part easy of acquisition, the animals exceedingly varied 
and even brilliant, and they would be well represented in 
special series of aquaria. Our own marine fauna and 
flora will be kept apart and in the foreground, and its ex- 
hibition will astonish all but the professional naturalist 
with its strangeness and beauty, while even he will re- 
ceive new revelations of its extent and significance. It is 
believed that neither of the other divisions can compete 
with this in the novelty, variety, and attractiveness of 
its displays. As the halls will be lighted only through 
the aquaria, the visitor will observe the creatures as if 
himself beneath the sea. 
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY CAN BE ESTABLISHED. 
The plan of establishing such Gardens has been before 
the Natural History Society for more than twenty years, 
during all of wdiich time a special committee has had the 
matter in charge ; but it is only within a few years, since 
the Park Commissioners were found to be independently 
entertaining similar plans, that any prospect seemed to be 
open for the practical consummation of our hopes. The 
correspondence between the Society and the Commis- 
sioners will be found in the several Reports of the latter 
body from 1887. The Commissioners have set apart the 
three parcels of land referred to above for the purposes 
