text, as an interesting study and pleasant diversion, apart from any motives 
of profit. He has nothing to sell, nothing to conceal, nothing to withhold. 
It has been his earnest effort to give as complete an insight of the subject 
as is possible in a book of the present dimensions. He desires to bring 
statements of facts before the reader in simple, practical and readable form, 
to incorporate all obtainable accurate information and useful precept in 
easily understood terms, without enthusiasm; and where possible, impart 
explanations of the often puzzling phenomena which tend to mislead and 
discourage both the novice and the expert fancier. 
Though the discussions of Aquarium Societies are unquestionably 
the best means of acquiring information and of removing difficulties, these 
are usually not accessible to the masses and are patronized more especially 
by adepts, novices not realizing that it is inexperience which leads to their 
many annoyances, and so losing confidence give up a recreation which 
should only animate to constantly increasing effort. 
It is freely admitted that the herein contained information pertaining 
to the breeding and care of the goldfish, aquarium hints and kindred 
subjects, is the consensus of opinion and the recognized best practice of 
the members of the Aquarium Society of Philadelphia, as elucidated by 
the discussions and official transactions of the past eight years. The 
classifications and descriptions of the goldfish breeds and varieties are 
those recognized as its criterion upon which awards in competitions are 
made; and the drawings, with but few exceptions, accurate portraits of 
living fishes owned by members and attested to over their signatures. 
The classifications of the plants are those of Britton and Brown and other 
recognized American authorities. 
Written on a flyleaf of a book which was probably the first American 
publication on the aquarium and its inhabitants is the following memo- 
randum:— 
August 7, 1858. 
Completed the Aquarium. 
Stock, 
4 Goldfish 
2 Carp 
1 Crawfish 
t Turtle Mit Gott. 
Though much has been learned in the fifty years since the 
above was written, pertaining to the physiological principals governing 
aquatic existence, the properly conditioned aquarium, the marvelous toy 
breeds of the goldfish and other aquarium fishes, there still remains much 
which is unexplained and which may prevent the aquarium and terrarium 
becoming as much a feature of almost every household as potted plants, 
6 
