Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 58.djvu/415

Rh on the north side of the floor contain, respectively, salmon raised from the fry, harbor seals and sturgeon. The harbor seals are always surrounded by an admiring throng, who watch the graceful manœuvres of 'Nelly' and her companion, the 'Babe.' 'Nelly' has occupied her quarters since the Aquarium was opened, and is a great pet with her keepers. The pools on the south side contain striped bass, the West Indian seal and sea turtles. The specimen of the West Indian seal—Monachus tropicalis (Gray)—is unique among zoological collections. It was captured at the Triangles, off the coast of Yucatan, in 1897, and has thriven in captivity at the Aquarium. It has developed into a humorist, and a favorite trick is to sit upright in the pool and look innocently

around until someone attracts its attention. Then, without a gesture of warning, it spurts a mouthful of water at him and dives away to swim for some time as fast as it can about the pool.

These pools, and the wall tanks to the left of the entrance, are devoted to salt-water animals, while the wall tanks on the other side are stocked with fresh water animals, as shown in the plan of the floor (Fig. 2).

In the display of fresh-water fishes, the trout family holds first place, occupying more tank room than any other family, and comprising eleven species. This is largely due to the interest taken by the fishing fraternity in this family and to the generous contributions of the Fish Commissioners of several States.