THE FRESHWATER AQUARIUM AND ITS MAINTENANCE 
Crue.ty To Fisxes. All admirers of the aquarium should consider it 
a duty to direct attention to the pernicious practise of keeping fishes in 
small fish globes. Millions of goldfishes have been killed by slow torture 
in this regretable precurser of the modern aquarium, and by other uninten- 
tional cruelties. Many instances can be recalled of globes containing too 
many fishes, without a plant, hungin the glaring sun; to improper feeding 
and other practises which a little knowledge of the subject would prevent. 
That the common goldfish is tenac¢ous of life and will often survive 
abuses for a long time is no excuse for violating the laws of its nature. 
Other animals are protected by laws and philanthropic societies, but these 
seem to interest themselves but little in the fauna of the aquarium. 
It is the dealer in fishes who is responsible for the survival of fish 
globes. They are the cheapest vessels that can be offered to purchasers, 
and he still has them for sale, rather than explain that the globe is an 
objectionable form of fish receptacle, superseded by better ones, and that 
success with its use is hardly possible. He would find that his sales 
would not diminish from candor and expressions of the truth. If he would 
explain the laws of balance in the aquarium, it is certain that the success 
which his customers will have would result in further exciting interest, 
while an unsuccessful attempt will discourage and may lead to the aban- 
donment of all hope of success. 
Means should be devised for placing simple correct information with- 
in the reach of everyone; then the aquarium would be much more popu- 
lar than it now is, and this esthetic pleasure in the household would be 
within the reach of almost every one. 
Experts in the keeping of the aquarium should interest themselves 
in this subject for the benefit of the general public. The fish globe 
should be used only as a temporary receptacle or hospital, but it were 
best if this torture chamber came entirely out of use. 
