162 MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 



with a stick. In a photograph the thickened water in 

 the second tank is invaluable from a pictorial point of 

 view, for it gives the picture its watery appearance. 



Care must be taken to arrange the tanks so that 

 when the photograph is taken the glass of the tanks is 

 at right angles to the direction of the sunlight. 



If the sun is shining, photography of the specimen 

 placed in the front tank may be proceeded with at 

 once. But if the sun is not shining, it is far better to 

 postpone operations until the following day, or until 

 the sun does shine. The reason for this is that with 

 a dull light and thickened water in the second tank the 

 image of the photographer and the camera are reflected 

 in the glass. Further, it is difficult to get sufficient 

 exposure with a rapidly swimming fish, except in sun- 

 light. 



Presuming that the sun is shining and the scenic 

 portion of the picture has been arranged to complete 

 satisfaction, all that remains for consideration is the 

 fish. Possibly it may be swimming about, and, if so, 

 nothing further is required ; but more probably the 

 specimen is still sulking on the bottom. To induce 

 the fish to swim, the water should be stopped from 

 running through the tank, and after ten minutes sud- 

 denly turned on at full force. This will frequently 

 stir up the fish, and he will swim round, heading to- 

 wards the stream, thus giving the photographer an 

 opportunity to obtain a snap-shot. As an example 

 of a photograph obtained in this manner, I would refer 



