Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-04

What the Geological Survey Will Show
Plans for the Great AQuaria.

Wn8t the SeOlOgfcol survey VIII SnoW-
Plans for the Great Aquarta.
In its exhibit at the worlds fair in Chicago
the geological survey will place on view a sort
| Of synoptic picture of the mineral resources OF
this country. Big chunks of native gold and
| silver will be shown just they we're dug out
| of the earth, together with remarkable ores of
| all sorts, particularly those Of what arc called
the economic minerals" such a. iron, copper
| and tin. Accompanying these win be maps
drawn for the purpose of assisting the illustra-
| ton. Several skilled collectors are soon to be
| sent out with instructions to gather in every
thing in the mineral line that is worth dis
playing.
PRECIOUS AND sEMr-PRECrous sroNEs
Prof. Clarke. the distinguished chemist and
mineralogist, has been given charge OF the
whole matter and he is getting together a won
derfully fine assemblage Of precious and semi
precious stones alss. which will form part OF
the display. This collection, although il will
be largely composed OF gems found in the
United States, will not be limited to those.
Dozens of big boxes and trays full OF
such jewels of all sorts are at present
being set in order for the purpose at the
National Museum. There are topazes. emeralds.
rubies, diamonds. opals and every other kind
OF imaginable sparkler. Also there are ever 30
IN rare fashions in natures laboratory-for ex-
ample, bromide Of silver and crystallized car
Donate OF copper. Examples will be shown
illustrating the strange rules by which crystal
ilzation takes place. one metal or mineral as
Stunning certain geometrical shape another a
In addition to all this there will be relief
maps transparencies and photographs OF
American scenery. These will include most
Importantly views in mountainous regions.
80 49, - l.x..
OF interest from the geological point of view.
photography in this line has been made a
speciality by the survey, which possesses a great
collection Of such works of arr II there were
more money to spend it is probable that visitors
at the fair would have chance to see some of
the enormous fossil reptiles of the past which
Major Powelrs bureau has been digging up
during the last nine years; but presumably
only pictures of them will be shown.
THE GREAT AorAnIA.
Plans for the exhibit of the United States
fish commission at the fair, respecting the great
aquaria to be shown there, have been pretty
well completed. In the center of the circular
building, erected for the purpose, will be a
rotunda sixty feet in diameter. In the middle
Of this will be a basin pool twenty-six feet
wide from which will arise towering mass of
rocks covered with moss and Gchens.
From clcfts and crevices in the rocks
crystal streams OF water will gush and
drop to the masses of reeds rushes and orna-
mental semi-aquatic plants in the basin below.
In this pool gorgeous gold fishes, golden ides,
golden tench and other fishes will disport them
selves selves. From the rotunda one side Of the
larger series of aquaria may be viewed. These
Will be ten In number and will have O capacity
OF 1909 to 81 600 gallons of water.
Passing out Of the rotunda by the entrances
great corridor Or gallery is reached. where on
one hand can be viewed the opposite side of the
sartaa inf be- A.,
tanks somewhat smaller, ranging from
$50 to 1,5O0 gallons each in capacity
The corridor or gallery is to be about
fifteen feet wide. The entire length of the
glass fronts of the aquaria will be about SIS
feet. affording 5000 square feet of surface
They will make panorama the like of which
was never before seen in any exhibition, and
which will rival the great permanent aauaria
OF the world not only in size but in all other
respects.
THE WATER CAPACITY.
The total water capacity Of the aquaria. ex-
elusive of reservoirs, will be 1s,725 cubic feet.
or 100000 gallons. This will weigh 1,192. 1925
pounds, or almost 600 tons. OF this amount
about 10000 gallons will be devoted to the ma
rine exhibit. In the entire saltwater
will be about ' 5000 gallons. The pnm ars
ing and distributing plant for the
marine aquaria will be constructed Of vulcan
lite. The pumps will be in duplicate and will
each have capacity of 5000 gallons per hour.
The supply of sea water will be secured by
cooperating the necessary amount at the
Woods Holl station of the United States fish
commission to about one-fifth its bulk, thus
reducing both quantity and weight for
transportation about 80 per cent.
The fresh water required to re-
store it to its proper density will be supplied
from Lake Michigan. In transporting the ma
rine fishes to Chicago from the coast there will
also be an addition of probably 5000 gallons of
pure sea water to the supply on each trip.