56 



THE SEA SHORE 



as far as the materials are concerned, and one that may be made 

 by any one who has had a little experience in woodwork ; and 

 although the tank itself is of a simple rectangular form, yet it may 

 be made to look very pretty with a suitable adjustment of rocks 

 and weeds. 



It consists of a rectangular box, the bottom, ends, and back of 

 which are of hard wood, firmly dovetailed together, and the front 

 of plate glass let into grooves in the bottom and ends. All the 

 joints and grooves are caulked with marine glue, but no paint 

 should be used in the interior. 



This form of tank may be vastly improved by the substitution 

 of slabs of slate for the wood, though, of course, this change entails 

 a much greater expenditure of both time and cash ; but supposing 

 the work to be well done, the result is everything that could be 

 desired as far as strength and durability are concerned. 



FIG. 36. AQUABIUM OF WOOD WITH GLASS FRONT 



In either of the rectangular tanks just described glass may be 

 used for two sides instead of one only ; and since this is not a matter 

 of very great importance, the choice may well be left to the fancy 

 of the one who constructs it. 



Some prefer an aquarium with glass on all sides, and where 

 this is the case the framework may be made of angle zinc with 

 all the joints strongly soldered. Such an aquarium may be made 

 in the form of any regular polygon, for it is no more difficult to 

 construct one of six or eight sides than of four. It is more 

 difficult, however, to make such an aquarium perfectly watertight, 

 for the glass, instead of being in grooves, has to be securely 

 fastened to the metal frame by means of a cement on one side 

 only, and this cement has to serve the double purpose of holding 

 the glass and keeping in the water. 



