2 POPULAR HISTOEY OF THE AQUARIUM. 



dark recesses ; shrin^ps are burrowing in the sand or dart- 

 ing across tlie little bay ; sea-flowers are blooming ; sea- 

 worms expanding their feathery fans ; and barnacles incrust- 

 ing rocks. Pebbles throw out their long arms fringed with 

 network in many a cast for food ; and small fishes glitter 

 in the brine as they seek to elude the stranger's sight. 



Could we but transport this little picture to our dwell- 

 ings — could we place it in our gardens — could we examine 

 the contents at leisure — could we watch the habits of 

 these living creatures in their native element, but far from 

 their native retreats, what an endless source of amuse- 

 ment would it be ! Can we do this ? Can we raise the 

 grotto, and carry it home, water, rocks, plants, animals and 

 all? No, but we can realize the idea, by collecting the 

 materials and imitating the arrangement, and this will be 

 a " Marine Aquarium. '' 



Imagine again, a section of a river, pond, or lake, with 

 its weeds and rushes flourishing, water-snails creeping on 

 the leaves, and fishes gliding among the stems ; suppose 

 this section oiclosed within ghiss walls, and placed in 

 your parlour or conservatory, and you have a ^^Fresh-water 

 A'ivarium." 



But while the imitation of a tide-pool or pond may 



