iS93-] 137 [Annual xMeeting. 
was smaller than last year, but on the other hanrl it liad gained 
in quality what had been lost in numbers, so that the instruction 
could be placed upon a higher plane than during previous years. 
The results of the examination were even better than those 
obtained during the last year. The Curator desires to express his 
thanks to Dr. R. T. Jackson and Miss J. M. Arms for assistance 
in giving those lessons. 
Report of the Board of Directors of the Natural History 
Gardens and Aquaria. Samuel H. Scudder, Chairman. 
The Directors of the Natural History Gardens and Aquaria 
have very little actual advance to report in the collection of sub- 
scriptions, the hindrances to the same being even much greater 
than was anticipated ; especially so, since it has appeared abso- 
lutely essential that some alteration should ])e made in the 
conditions of subscription if we are to hope for success; and until 
some definite conclusions on this point could be reached, it has 
not been possible to accomplish much else. 
Further inquiry into the methods by which Aquaria are man- 
aged elsewhere, and repeated examination of the water in ilio 
neighborhood of ^Marine Park under varying conditions, show us 
that it would not be well to depend there for indoor exhibits upon 
water pumped directly from the sea ; but that it would be wiser 
to bring the water in casks from the open ocean and occasionally 
to replenish it, ]iurification being maintained b}' proper aeration 
and tiltration in the constant circuit. As soon as this was made 
clear, the question arose : Whether, in view of the main objection 
repeatedly made by those asked to give financial aid to the enter- 
prise, it would not be well to seek a mOre central location for the 
Aquaria. It is true that we should then have to give up one 
attractive feature — the salt water ponds for the outdoor exhibit of 
the larger creatures and of shore animals ; but by far the greatest 
difficulty we have had to contend with in trying to secure sub- 
scriptions has been the prospective location of the Aquaria at n 
considerable distance from the mass of the ])opulation, and one 
reached only by passing through a long stretch of a most unattrac- 
tive part of the city. In time this may change to some extent; 
