52 THE SEA SHORE 



merely that of a collector, aud whose work at home is simply the 

 mounting and arranging of the objects obtained, can hardly be 

 considered a naturalist. Natural history is a living study, and its 

 devotee is one who delights in observing the growth and develop- 

 ment of living things, watching their habits, and noting their 

 wonderful adaptation to their environments ; and it is to encourage 

 such observation that we so strongly recommend the young 

 collector to keep his creatures alive as far as it is possible to 

 do so. 



The first thing to settle, then, is the nature of the vessel 

 or vessels that are to serve the purpose of aquaria for the work 

 of the young naturalist. 



As long as the outdoor work is in progress temporary aquaria 

 will be very useful as a means by which the objects collected may 

 be sorted and stored until a final selection is made for the 

 permanent tank. These temporary aquaria may consist of jars 

 or earthenware pans of any kind, each containing a few small 

 tufts of weed, preferably attached to pieces of rock, and a layer of 

 sand or gravel from the Leach. 



As such temporary aquaria will, as a rule, be within a con- 

 venient distance from the sea-side where the collecting is being 

 done, there will be, we presume, no great difficulty in the way 

 of obtaining the frequent changes of water necessary to keep the 

 animals and plants in a healthy condition, so that we need do no 

 more now than urge the importance of avoiding overcrowding, and 

 of renewing the water frequently for the purpose of supplying 

 the air required for the respiration of the inmates. 



When it is desired to isolate small species in such a manner 

 that their movements may be conveniently observed, glass jars 

 answer well ; but whatever be the form or size of the vessels used, 

 care must be taken to avoid excess of both light and heat. They 

 should be kept in a cool place, quite out of the way of direct 

 sunshine, and the glass vessels used should be provided with a 

 movable casing of brown paper to exclude all light except that 

 which penetrates from above. 



Even temporary aquaria, used merely for the purpose suggested 

 above, should be carefully watched, for a single day's neglect will 

 sometimes result in the loss of several valuable captives. A dead 

 animal should be removed as soon as it is discovered to avoid the 

 unpleasant results arising from the putrefaction of its body. The 

 appearance of a scum or film on the surface of the water should 



