^76 



CHAPTER XV. 



FISHES. 



IN VIVARIA. — GASTEEOSTEUS ACULEATUS. — NEST-BUILDING. — PLA- 

 TESSA VULGARIS. — GOBIUS NIGER, — MUGIL CHELO. — LEPIDOGASTER 

 BIMACULATUS. — SYNGNATHUS LUMBRICIFORMIS. — FRESH-WATER FISHES. 

 — LUMINOSITY OF FISH. — HERRINGS. — ' SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS,' 

 — LEPIDOSIREN, OR MUD-FISH, 



Although fishes are beautifal objects to be kept in an 

 Aquarium^ some of them are difficult and dangerous. Diffi- 

 cult, because from their delicate organization they are pecu- 

 liarly susceptible of injury from any impurities in tlie water ; 

 dangerous, because of their pugnacity and voracious habits. 

 Others, with proper care, live well and safely. The manners 

 of fishes in confinement, with the exception of nest-building 

 species, are not particularly attractive, although some of the 

 gentler kinds become very tame, and will learn to come and 

 feed from the fingers. The beauties of their conformation and 

 colouring are however set off to great advantage in a vessel 



