The sun., 1894-11-11
STOCKING 4 GREAT AQUARIUM.
Methods That Are Very Simple, but All
Very Interesting.

Smaller marine animals and plants from far
and near, such as are used in ordinary house
aquaria or small tanks, can be bought OF dealers
pretty much all over the world. The smaller
and more ornamental fishes, rarely exceeding in
number. however. about twenty-five species, arc
imported just birds are. and, in their seasons,
kept in stock like any other merchandise. But
there are no dealers who keep in stock to
any extent fishes suitable for large aquaria,
and this is especially true of medium sized
and large fishes. There are many places on
the globe where one could buy goldfish as he
would ball Of twine; but there are few IL any
places where one could step in and buy a shark.
When great aquarium is to be stocked much
the greater part of the stock must be caught
expressly for it; but there are in many parts of
the world dealers and others familiar with the
fish of their several localities who are ready to
supply such demands to other parts where
there are no such means of supply. Expedi-
tions are sometimes sent in fishing vessels pro-
vided with a well and other suitable equipment.
Dealers and others in foreign lands are known
to those in charge of great aquariums, and
rect, though fish are sometimes imported
through local dealers and occasionally Through
with remote and QUITO of-the-wny places. Nearer
homo men in the employ of the aquarium are
on the lookout, and great aquarium is OF itself
Strange and beautiful US many of the fish ex-
hibited may be, the means employed to get them
foreign ish come almost without exception by
steamer, which Is practically tho only way of
tanccs. transit by sailing vessels taxing % too too
long a time. Fish bought by the New
G York Aaggphrium ri for instance in Iap9n you'd
In cans or tanks made for tho purpose, in charge
OF n man sent with them or OF a man employed
be carefully overhaulcd and fresh water sup
piled, and the tish would come to this city by
cumstanccs, would be followed with shipments
from any foreign country. In any ordinary
from European ports the fish would receive final
attention there at the port or shipment and be
cared for in transit across the Atlantic by
man attached to the steamer.
For shipments originating in this country New
York city's aquarium provides transportation
cans OF lts own, which are sent wherever they
may be required These cans are made OF gall
vanized iron. some round, some oval; the oval
cans look like big wash boilers; the largest of
the round cans are four feet in diameter; the
largest oval cans are about that in length.
curved inward slightly at the top, so that the
swash when the cans are moved is thrown over
at least, seif-aerating. These cans, on their re,
turn to New York with fish, might be accompa-
ts by % rare 1se OF Sa Am
would probably be sent from the aquarium. In
ordinary shipments they would come In charge
1t is not the Intention TO exhibit at New York's
aquarium all the common fishes OF the world
Ia
all lands Such an exhibition complete would re-
quire a building much larger than Castle Gar
den large 1t Is. Ii is intended OF foreign fishes
TO display the more curious and remarkable and
interesting; but there will be "A comprehensive
display OF the fish OF our own waters. The first
complete display undertaken will doubtless be
that OF the fish OF New York State. In this the
aquarium will he materially aided by the New
York State Fish Commission, which has placed
its large and varied resources at the disposal OF
the aquarium tor this purpose.
The aquarium has permanently stationed At
Gravesend beach. where the larger part OF its
accommodating stock now is, two men who 90
out in their own boat at all hours, day and night,
whatever there may be In the catch novel
or interesting. In the season man
Is sent every steamer to the fishing banks To
take charge OF whatever may be caught there
the curious and interesting things that are OBJ
tanned in this manner there are obtained also
fine specimens OF familiar fishes One of the
finest bass In the aquarium was given TO it
fishing steamers, who, when he hauled it in.
said I'm going to give that TO the aquar um,"
and forthwith turned IL over 10 the Gquarium's
representative on the boat
Individual contributors bring TO the
aquarium or offer 10 1t variety OF things. A
man of means, whose possessions include we'll
stocked fish preserves was so pleased with
what he saw at the aquarium that he offered
to IL the pick OF his own fish. 4 man who
caught a little sea robin off the Battery sea
was interested in IL and wanted to contribute
something tO it, Most OF the strange or interest
ing or valuable gifts from private contributors
are given from pure love OF the institution and
tions; some are given or offered by contributors
who, In one way and another, have come into
possession OF things. alligators, for instance.
which they cannot take care of themselves.