SEA- WATER AQUARIA. 117 



The water rushes in a full, steady, and continuous stream from the 

 delivery hose into the fountain reservoir, as long as the driving- 

 wheel is being turned. Once the fountain reservoir is filled, the 

 fountain in the tank plays for six hours, the excess of water passing 

 through the overflow tube into the large dark reservoir. I find 

 that with very little attention — though this must be regular — the 

 fountain can be kept playing and the water of the aquarium cir- 

 culating for from fifteen to eighteen hours in the twenty-four. 



The pump was made especially for me by Messrs. Leete, 

 Edwards, and Norman, Limited, of 366 and 368 Euston Road, 

 London, N.W. This firm appear to have made a speciality of the 

 manufacture of patent rotary pumps for the circulation and aera- 

 tion of public marine aquaria, and have supplied powerful 

 machinery adapted to the purpose for aquaria at Plymouth, the 

 Crystal Palace, and many other places. 



An exceedingly useful instrument, in connection with an 

 aquarium, is a pair of long ivooden forceps for the purpose of feed- 

 ing the animals and removing any dead creatures or other matters 

 likely to foul the water. Forceps of this kind are in use at the 

 Crystal Palace, and are made by Messrs. Aston and Mander, 

 machine rule makers. Old Compton Street, London, W. I have 

 a pair by me as I write, measuring 20J inches in length, each 

 blade being half-an-inch broad and about quarter-an-inch thick, 

 and the distance between the free thinned ends of the blades 

 equalling about an inch and a quarter. 



When first 1 commenced operations, I was in some doubt — 

 living inland as I do — where it would be easiest to obtain sea- 

 water. I finally decided to profit by the arrangements offered by 

 the Great Eastern Railway Sea-Water Office, 122 Bishopsgate St. 

 Without, London, E.C. From this source good sea-water can be 

 obtained m three-gallon kegs, at the rate of sixpence a keg ; unless 

 four or more kegs are ordered, when the reduced rate is charged 

 of fourpence half-penny a keg, or one shilling and sixpence for 

 every twelve gallons. A deposit of four shillings and sixpence a 

 keg is invariably required, but this is returned on application, pro- 

 viding the empty kegs are returned to the office carriage paid and 

 in good condition. 



It is well to remember that if there are difticulties in procuring 



