i6o MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 



As stated, the tanks had been arranged in the 

 stable-yard the night before. This arrangement con- 

 sisted in the trestles being placed about six feet apart, 

 and the boards laid upon them so as to make a plat- 

 form. One tank was placed on the edge of this plat- 

 form, and the second tank immediately behind it. 



These tanks are three feet long, two feet high, and 

 eight inches and one foot respectively front to back. 

 The bottom and the sides consist of wood ; the front 

 and back of quarter-inch plate glass. Half-way down 

 one side is an inlet tap (to which is attached the hose), 

 and two inches from the top of the other side is an 

 outlet pipe. 



The narrower of the two tanks is placed to the 

 front of the platform, and the hose connected to the 

 inlet tap. The bottom of this tank is next covered 

 with stones, gravel, sand, earth, dead leaves, or weeds, 

 according to the kind of fish to be photographed. As 

 soon as the tank is full of water, the fish showing the 

 most typical shape is placed in it. At first he rushes 

 about and stirs up the dirt, but soon settles down to 

 sulk on the bottom. From now onwards a steady 

 stream of water is kept flowing through the tank. 

 The rest of the fish placed in the flat, box-like wooden 

 tank are also kept in running water by connecting up 

 the outlet pipe of the glass tank with the wooden tank. 

 The safety of the fish being ensured, it is now pos- 

 sible to spare a few minutes for breakfast. 



After breakfast the second tank is prepared. This 



