186 MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 



takes up more oxygen. Further, if the water is so 

 shallow that the fish disturbs the surface as he swims 

 about, the absorption of oxygen from the air is materially 

 assisted. Personally, I keep fish in a tank with water 

 splashing on to the surface from a considerable height, 

 for at home my fish photography is uncertain, and it 

 is often a week or more before I can attend to the 

 specimen. 



In passing, let me refer to the keeping of fish in 

 bowls and small aquaria. I do not believe anybody 

 is intentionally callous to the sufferings of beasts, bird, 

 or fish. But in our ignorance there is no doubt we 

 inflict much unnecessary pain on our pets. Fish in 

 natural environments depend for a healthy existence 

 and comfort on abundance of food, oxygen, and a sub- 

 dued light. Yet how many fish are kept in a glass 

 bowl, the bowl placed in the bright light of a window, 

 the water seldom if ever aerated, and the fish occa- 

 sionally offered a little vermicelli. These fish are ex- 

 pected to be interesting. It would be as reasonable 

 to keep an accepted wit in a dark, badly ventilated 

 cellar of your house, feed him occasionally on a plate 

 of worms, and expect him to bubble with good humour 

 when visited by yourself and your friends. 



I have referred to the photography of fish in natural 

 environments and in tanks ; with the latter method I 

 would like to compare the photography of fish in the 

 pond. 



Photography in a glass tank is undoubtedly the best 



