22 



When we consider that we may confine the smaller 

 species of lishes, such as the gold-tish, minnows, shiners, 

 sticklebacks, darters, and others, in ordinary aquaria, 

 which, owing to the small size of the lish, give them 

 considerable room, and have them to live contentedly, 

 spawn naturally, and live in every respect, apparently 

 as happily as in their native waters, it becomes ap - 

 parent that when we provide conditions proportionately 

 adequate, we may expect the same results with any of our 

 fishes. The desirability of the accomplishment of such 

 results needs no argument to the mind of the fish culturist. 

 It is, in fact, the only way in which we may obtain a 

 knowledge of the habits of many of our fishes, hidden as 

 they are from our view in the dej)ths of the waters. To 

 the biologist the opportunities afforded for investigation 

 by such means are very great and of increasing necessity. 

 To the general public, as a means of recreation and educa" 

 tion in a branch of knowledge in which the ignorance is 

 very great, but in which the poj^ular interest is equally 

 great, the value of great public aquaria would be well 

 worthy a general i)opular support. 



It is quite apparent that in most of the attempts hereto- 

 fore made to establish aquaria in the United States, the con- 

 ditions established were such as from our present knowl- 

 edge we can say were inimical to any x)ermanent success. 



Of course, it should be understood that we are at present 

 but on the threshold of our knowledge in this direction ; 

 but we may claim that there are certain great principles 

 underlying success in the keeping of living things in 

 healthy and happy condition, and that a violation of these 

 plain requirements invites certain failure. 



From a standpoint of practical experience established by 

 years of observation, in accordance with these principles, 

 and in view of minor results actually achieved, we may 

 now confidently proceed to the successful establishment of 

 great aquaria. 



