|
| THE FISHERIES - The site allotted to this
building was so irregular that a remarkable structure was required,
and the creation of Henry Ives Cobb, of Chicago, the architect, at
once stamped him as a genius of uncommon resources and invention. The
Fisheries Building has been admired without stint, and in its East
Pavilion was housed one of the chief attractions of the Exposition - a
double row of grottoed and illuminated aquaria, in which the strangest
inhabitants of the deep were exposed to convenient view. Here might
be seen the King Crab, the Burr-fish, Flounders, Toad-fish, Anemones,
Eels, Sturgeon, Catfish, Sharks, Bullfish, Goldfish, Bluefish, Rays,
Trout and many other remarkable or beautiful creatures, and it seemed
that the circular shape of the building lent itself to the better
illumination of decoration of the aquaria. Nothing so beautiful had
heretofore been seen west of London. Nearly six hundred feet of glass
front were shown in the acquaria, with three thousand square feet of
surface water. The surface was many feet above the spectator's head.
Condensed salt water was brought from the Atlantic Ocean. Capt. J. W.
Collins, the chief of this department, is a veteran officer of the
United States Fish Commission. The terminal pavilions were one hundred
and thirty-five feet in diameter. The greatest length of the
structure was three hundred and sixty-five feet. The area was over
three acres, and the cost $225,000. It was characteristic of this
building that its decoration was symbolical of life under water. The
columns and arches were wrought with tortoises, serpents, calamus,
fishes and frogs. |
