138 AQUAEIA FOR MICROSCOPIC LIFE. 



selected and placed in tubes, which can then be suspended in a 

 jar of water and carried about — to a meeting of a Society for 

 example, — in this way securing the advantages of a considerable 

 quantity of water, while the specimens are easily found. 



The secret of success lies in having the plants in the small jars 

 growing well before the Infusoria are introduced. Even then many 

 of them will not live, for they are very sensitive creatures and will 

 not well bear sudden changes in their conditions of life. But 

 perseverance and experience will bring their reward in this as 

 in other things. 



The microscopist who desires an inexhaustible source of 

 entertainment, or a rich field for investigation during the winter 

 evenings, can provide for these in no better way than by starting -a 

 number of aquaria now. September is the proper time to start 

 aquaria for the winter, and we trust many of our readers will act 

 upon the suggestions of this article, for if they do so we are sure 

 to hear of many observations they will make. 



Besides the numerous small aquaria, the microscopist vrould do 

 well to have one or two large tanks, holding about two gallons, in 

 which can be kept a stock of plants and animals of different kinds ; 

 and one tall jar in which Vallisneria can be grown. In the large 

 tanks should be kept different water-plants, such as Nitella^ 

 Anachm-is, My?'iophylhim, Leinna (duck-weed), and others, from 

 v/hich the small aquaria can be replenished. In these may also 

 be kept many microscopic specimens from collections, and 

 especially snails and JDap/mm, Cyclops and other Entomostraca. 

 The snails may be occasionally introduced into the small jars as 

 scavengers, and the Entomostraca can be used to feed the Hyih-as^ 

 which will probably be found in one or more of the jars. 



The cyclosis in plant-cells is very beautifully shown in 

 Vallts?ieria, and this plant can be grown in a tall jar without any 

 care whatever. The roots should be imbedded in mud and sand 

 at the bottom. The plant will grow rapidly, and probably fruit in 

 the jar. It will die down in the fall, but in the spring it will 

 again grow if the roots are undisturbed. 



