THE FRESH-WATER AQUARIUM. SI 
In filling the tank, hold a plate in the left hand, as low 
down as possible, to receive the dash of water from the 
vessel in the right, so as to wash up the sand as little as 
possible. A syphon may be used if a source of supply is 
near the position of the tank. 
Aspect.—Sunshine is good for the tank at all seasons 
of the year. But in high summer it should have only an 
hour’s sun, morning and evening; the fierce solar heat of 
mid-day will give the water so high a temperature as to be 
fatal to its animal inhabitants. Comparing tanks one with 
another, I must give a preference toa south or east aspect. 
A north aspect will do very well, from May to October, 
but, during the winter months, a tank in such a position, 
would be feeble, and want watching. Good exposure to 
daylight is, of course, essential ; but it should be borne in 
mind that the fresh-water tank needs more light than a 
marine one. My fresh-water tanks I find to prosper best 
when placed close to the windows, but marine tanks may 
be kept back two or three feet, in a south aspect. In fact, 
if you have a cabinet of water-insects in a series of jars, 
the marine tank may very well stand behind them, and 
get sufficient light there, but the light should fall uninter- 
ruptedly on the fresh water vessels. 
CHAPTER IV. 
WATER PLANTS FOR THE AQUARIUM. 
How to stock a Tank quickly.—It is usual to fix the 
plants and fill up the tank to within a few inches of the 
top, and then leave the whole for a week before com- 
