THE VIVARIUM. 
CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
EARS ago I built a large aquarium on the outside window 
Y sill of one of the first rooms I could ever call my own, 
and it was pleasanter (so I thought) to look into it 
and watch the fish of various colours and shapes swimming 
among graceful water-weeds than into the little strip of not very 
interesting town garden belonging to my landlady. But, alas! 
my satisfaction in my device was short-lived, for I had made the 
aquarium upon wrong principles: the wood warped, the glass 
cracked, and my tank was ruined. It had cost me not a little 
time and trouble to make, and I somewhat sadly contemplated 
the wreck as I ate my solitary breakfast. I did not like to remove 
it and confess to complete failure, and while thinking the matter 
over, it occurred to me that I would turn the affair into a fernery. 
I had always been fond of Ferns, and a fernery would not only 
bea source of interest and amusement, but it would also hide the 
rather depressing view from the window. So, at my first leisure, 
I removed the fish and aquatic plants to an aquarium inside the 
room, and commenced the work of turning the leaking tank into 
a fern-case. 
The thing was done, and the Ferns grew and flourished, and it 
was no inconsiderable pleasure to attend to their wants and watch 
B 
