PUBLIC AQUARIA. 13 
water at the Crystal Palace aquarium has been calculated as only 
about 2 per cent by leakage. 
Although this article has especially considered salt-water aquaria, 
it is by no means intended to neglect the attractions of the 
inhabitants of fresh-water, but to enlarge upon this portion of the 
subject would require to extend the article to an undue length. 
Public aquaria have not generally proved financially successful. 
Even now we would not advise any one to start one with a view to 
profit on the investment. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt 
that with proper management the running expenses could be paid 
from the beginning, and after a while funds would begin to 
accumulate. But we do not advocate this as a business scheme. 
It is advocated as a means of instruction for young or old, the 
founders of which will be entitled to the gratitude of the many who 
will be benefited thereby. Aquaria have failed in the past because 
of bad management, due, we may say, to imperfect knowledge of 
the conditions of success, or, when established for purposes of gain 
alone, because the managers have endeavoured to draw the people 
after the manner of a circus menagerie. Those that have been 
managed economically have not failed. 
Few places are more favourably situated for marine aquaria than 
New York and Boston, especially the latter city, lying so near the 
haunts of marine animals of great variety. But even in Chicago, 
were it not for the difficulty of keeping the more delicate animals 
alive during the long journey from the sea-board, a marine 
aquarium could be maintained as perfectly as on the coast. Even 
such difficulties can be overcome, but not without considerable 
expense. 
Now that the experience of the last ten years has shown how an 
aquarium should be managed, may we not hope to see in America, 
one that shall rival those of England and Europe? It requires no 
costly edifice, nor a very great outlay in fitting up. The cost can 
be very accurately calculated. But let whoever undertakes the 
task not go at it blind-fold. _No mere business man can run an 
aquarium. It requires experience and knowledge which cannot be 
obtained from books alone. There must be a good naturalist at 
the head of it, who is deeply interested in his work, or the result 
will surely be disappointing. 
