
MARINE AQUARIA 

often many forms of plants and animals may be found in a limited space. 
It is necessary to have some experience in collecting, as localities passed 
over by the novice as devoid of specimens may yield an abundance to 
the experienced collector. A thorough examination of the whole area 
should be made, the seaweeds lifted, submerged woodwork examined, 
stones overturned, and every rock, depression and cavity explored with 
both the net and the fingers. 
A light basket with shoulder-straps, containing a number of large- 
mouthed bottles and jars, a shrimp net, a pole with a strong iron point at 
one end and a detachable garden rake for the other, a coldchissel and 
hammer, hip boots and felt gloves to protect from 
the sharp edges of mussels and the slippery foot- 
ing and concealed crevices, will be desirable; and 
for use in a boat, a dragnet, constructed of an 
iron frame 24 by 8 inches, with hoop-iron scrapers 
on the longer sides will be useful. This dredge, 
Fig. 236, will collect sponges, worms, anemones, 
corals, molluscs, shrimps, crabs, fishes and often 
— the rarer deepwater plants. Anemones and coral- 
BIG s235- WDredge uct lines should be taken with the smaller objects to 
which they adhere or a piece of it removed with the chissel, but when this 
cannot be done they should be carefully removed with a paper knife or 
with the finger nails, so as not to injure their bases. 
Fishes may be takenin a net, the simplest being an iron hoop and 
netting attached- by a rope to a long pole and baited with a broken clam, 
or the wire netting lobster trap. The flat fishes lie under the sand 
and are usually taken in the dragnet. 
A constant observation of the tide should be kept, as its unob- 
served advance is often dangerous to the collector. 
Transportinc Marine Carcues. The best forms of jars are 
wide-mouthed and of glass or stoneware, with tightly fitted corks 
through which a glass tube has been passed to 
extend two inches above and below, to prevent 
spilling. These receptacles should be not over 
three-fourths full of water, so that the motion in 
transportation will change the air. Many of the 
animals may be shipped in moist, not wet, sea- 
weed. A thick layer should be placed in the 
bottom of a can or box, and upon this the plants 
intended for the aquarium, then a second layer of 






























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weeds, and upon this the animals. These should py. 237, Buckland Collecting can. 
324 
