46 
ness, darting to and fro, even knocking their heads against the glass as 
if delirious ; then loss of balance, the air bladder loses its power and the 
victim lies on its side with the tail bent downwards as if contracted by 
spasm, sometimes for two or three days. I have tried everything ; 
change into warm water ; change into very cold water, and I once tried 
the effects of bread crumbs soaked in wine (a remedy used in Germany 
to revive carp when transported for long distances) but all to no effect 
and I have now come to the conclusion that man cannot prescribe for 
the denizens of the water, the conditions of life being with them so 
utterly different from other animal life. The apparent attack of an 
epidemic amongst fish, which is known to take place in their natural 
habitats, is only part of that law of nature which subjects life of every 
desciiptio'n to attacks upon it. 
Goldfish are naturally long lived and I have had specimens for ten 
years at a time, in perfect health. The limited space of an aquarium 
seems to dwarf their growth and size, as they certainly do not attain 
to their full proportions half as rapidly as in open waters. Catfish, 
when grown too large for their quarters, I have frequently taken to the 
nearest stream and they swim off as unconcerned as if always accustomed 
to liberty. An aquarium owner soon comes to regard its inmates 
like all other pets, and it may be said in their favour that they do not 
require anything like the attendance needed for other living pets. The 
loss of them is in certain cases more difficult to replace as you cannot 
always obtain, at the time, a specimen of the kind perhaps most wanted. 
There has been great discussion as to the best aspect in which to 
place an Aquarium, and opinions are varied, but the conclusion I have 
arrived at is, that a northern aspect is desirable, a southern aspect is 
worst, and the western nearly as bad, as the sunlight falling on it materially 
assists the green coating caused by the growth of confervas on the glass. 
The bottom, which ought to be, if possible, of slate, should be covered 
with small pebbles or fine gravel about an inch in depth, leaving a small 
patch for clean sand. Earth is not required, as 'water plants mostly grow 
floating. A few pretty stones or a little rock-work should be added with 
a part of the latter projecting above the water for the purposes already 
alluded to, especially if fish only are to be kept, as the latter delight in 
loitering in the friendly shade of a rock. Besides the pleasing appear- 
