1870.] RITCHIE — ON AQUARIA STUDIES. 3 



covering ; this is to keep out dust, and to prevent some of the 

 inmates going from home, also for the purpose of fern gi'owing. 

 The bottom is covered with about two inches of sand or gravel, 

 having rock-work at each end, with the tops of the stones standing 

 out of the water. These last have cups cut in them for the 

 reception of mosses and ferns, while the portion above water gives 

 the reptiles and crustaceans the opportunity of a short stroll at 

 pleasure. 



We have grown Aitacharis alsinastrum and Vallisneria spiralis 

 with comparative success, the great enemy to their entire success 

 being the cray-fishes, wliich browse on the plants, and destroy 

 them after a time. We dispense with the larger plants altogether 

 now. The aquarium stands in a darkish corner, and the water 

 is[as clear, and smells as sweet, as when put in two years ago. A 

 little water must be added now and then to compensate for eva- 

 poration. We never clean the glass on the side next the wall, 

 which is covered and grown over with confervse and other lowly 

 plants of various kinds. This, and not crowding too much 

 animal life into the vessel, is the secret of success. 



We shall now introduce the reader to some of our favourites, 

 and first some odd fishes which possess many and varied traits 

 of character. 



That dapper little fellow, with his coat shining with scarlet and 

 green, and armed with spines, is the little Stickleback (^Gaster- 

 osteus *). He is the prince of gallants, and will fight for his lady- 

 love to the death. A peculiarity in the economy of individuals 

 of this species is, that they build a nest, the male watching and 

 followmg the young until they can fish for themselves. We have 

 had the nest built in the aquarium of several pieces of weeds 

 that were introduced, but saw no young ones ; if they ever had 

 any the other fish must have devoured them. The female kept 

 possession of the nest, which was in a corner of the tank, while 

 the male kept watch outside. Woe to the unwary minnow, or 

 sun- fish, that comes near his domicile, — his coat becomes more 

 brilliant, his little eyes redden and flash, and with spines erected, 

 he rushes at his enemy and charges him with his numerous 

 bayonets. 



Our next example is rather a handsome fish, which always 

 swims along the bottom, moves by jerks, and darts to and fro ; from 



* The scientific names of the fishes mentioned in this article, have 

 been altered in accordance with the latest nomenclature. — J.F.W, 



