Correspondence was opened with the managers of the various Arpmria in Europe, an(l tlie 

 Trustees desire to express their grateful thauks for the informatiou so freely given on all points. 

 At the initiation of the enterprise many difficulties were encountered, and 

 had to be overcome hefore tlie final successful result was attained. 



unforeseen obstacles 



TilE 1.ASTKKN 



The Mell)ourne Exhibition A(puiriuui lias the lii>iiour of being the tirst established in 

 Australia, Imt our neiglibours in 8ydney were not slow to follow tlie example given, and Atpiaria 

 have also been built at Bondi and Coogee. 



This establishment of Acpiaria is an evidence of tlie progression of education which is 

 taking place in every department of economic production, and there is little doubt that the 

 ex])eriments which will be conducted from time to time in this Aquarium will be exceedingly 

 useful, and, it is ho])ed, will k'ad to a further develojiment of the fishing industries of the colony. 



In comjiiling this work I'or the convenience of visitors to the Aquarium, an endeavour has 

 ])een made to give the greatest ])ossilile amount of information about the fish of \ ictoria 

 generally, which may, perhajis, be found interesting to the general i)ublic. Of course, every kind 

 of fish which is mentioned in the book is not to be seen in the tanks ; the difficulties attending the 

 capture of some of the rarer kinds being enormous, and, Avhen they are taken, there is the attendant 

 risk of transit from the shore to the A(piariuni. 



It must Ije ])orue in mind also tliat only certain classes of fish, namely, those that are 

 of what might lie termed a "domestic" turn of mind, are suitable for captivity; the swift- 

 swimming migratory fislies of the ocean do not stand incarceration well, so that most of the 

 specimens are those which are found in close proximity to our coasts. 



The Aquaeium 

 Was commenced in 1884, and was opened in 1885. Since then additions and alterations 

 have constantly lieeu made luitil it has been brought into its jiresent state of perfection. The 

 difficulties attendiu"- the construction and carrying on of such an establishment in the first 



