14 POPULAR HISTORY OF THE AQUARIUM. 



may be dispensed with. For fresii-water Yivaria, Calli- 

 triclie or Starwort, Stratioides or Water Soldier, Vallisaena 

 sjyiralis, Anaclians or New "Waterweed (Plate XYIII.), some 

 Water-lilies, and Enocaidon or Pipewort, the Water Eanun- 

 culus, Hydrocliaris or Prog-bit, Alisma or Water Plantain, 

 are among the most popular. 



Fishes. — Por private collections at least, the larger kinds 

 of vertebrate animals will not be convenient, but most of 

 the smaller species of fishy both marine and fresh-water, 

 wdll live and breed freely in tanks well supplied wdth 

 oxygen,- and there is no way in which the beauties of 

 their form and markings can so well be seen as through 

 perpendicular, even-moulded glass. Here we see them un- 

 distorted by refraction, and can w^atch their graceful move- 

 ments without disturbing them. Most of them appear to 

 enjoy their dwellings, if w^e may judge from their lively, 

 yet not restless bearing. We must remember, however, 

 that they are generally animal feeders, and if put into a 

 vessel wdth other animals weaker than themselves, they will 

 not live with them quite in the same peaceable manner 

 that cats do with mice in " the IIcq)py Famili/," Some 



