THE TANK. 251 



bj the cliaracter of the service to which they are put, 

 since this is not an alteration, but only an extension. 

 The oT'Owth of aquatic plants is still a most important 

 and pleasing feature of oiu: pursuit, and the addition 

 of aquatic animals does not at all detract from the 

 appropriateness of the appellation. Let the word 

 Aquakium then be the one selected to indicate these 

 interesting collections of aquatic animals and plants, 

 distinguishing it as a Freshwater Aquarium, if its 

 contents be fluviatile, or a Marine Aquarium, if 

 it be such as I have made the subject of the present 

 volmne. 



THE TANK. 



FoEM, Size, and Mateeials. — So much depends 

 on individual taste and means in this respect, as well 

 as on the situation which the Aquarium is intended 

 to occupy, that no rule can be laid down for dimen- 

 sions. My largest tank (now in use as a fresh water 

 Aquarium) is a parallel-sided vessel, two feet long, 

 one-and-a-half foot wide, one-and-a-half foot deep ; 

 the sides and ends of plate-glass, three-sixteenths 

 thick ; the bottom, a slab of slate one inch thick ; the 

 corners of birch-wood, turned into pillars, each sur- 

 mounted by a knob, and united by a frame-top or bar, 

 going all round. The glass is set in grooves in the 

 slate and wood, and fastened with white-lead putty. 

 I have two others, agreeing with this in all respects, 

 except in dimensions, the smallest being (in the clear) 

 fifteen inches long, twelve inches wide, and twelve 

 inches deep. This is a very neat and pretty object 

 for a parlour table, and will hold at least fifty 



