THE MARINE AQUARIUM. 71 
CHAPTER V. 
THE ANIMALS. 
THouGcH Anemones take precedence in the order of 
stocking, and frequently monopolise the tank—for, after 
all, these are the main attraction of most marine aquaria 
—yet, as they do not stand the highest in the order of 
nature, we must recount zoologically what creatures are 
best fitted for domestication, and in another chapter give 
directions as to their selection and management. 
Fishes take the first place, because they are the highest 
forms of life admitted to the marine tank; but they are 
the dast introduced, because, being more delicately orga- 
nized than the tribes beneath them, they require either 
real sea-water, in a state of high preservation, or artificial 
water of some months’ seasoning, and good management. 
The fishes best adapted for tank life are the queer- 
looking gobies, the lively blennies, small specimens of 
wrasse, rockling, and eel. The grey mullet is a pretty 
fish, but not to be domesticated without some difficulty. 
Some kinds of flat fish may be kept in tanks, but begin- 
ners had better have nothing to do with them. Small 
sticklebacks may be taken in plenty by means of a hand- 
net in quiet tide-pools, and do well in the tank, but they 
are pugnacious, and harass less vigorous creatures; so 
that some judgment is required in grouping them. 
Mollusks—The common Periwinkle is useful as a 
cleaner, and interesting also to those who find pleasure in 
contemplating the startling resources of Divine Wisdom, 
