Public Interest in Aquaria. 



('. G. H. SCIIENK. Milwaukff, Wis. 



IT is astonishing how much general 

 interest in the subject of aquaria 

 and fishes has sprung up very recently 

 throughout the country. In Milwaukee 

 the activity is felt in all directions. The 

 Public Library formerly had one copy 

 of Wolfs Goldfish Breeds. A great 

 demand by the patrons made the acqui- 

 sition of three additional copies neces- 

 sary, as well as other books. There is 

 no doubt that the Milwaukee Society is 

 responsible for the popular interest 

 aroused. The demand made upon a 

 library for any class of literature is a 

 sure and accurate indication of the trend 

 of public thought. Throughout the 

 country, the schools have done much to 

 aid the movement by the maintenance 

 of aquaria in the class-rooms. 



In Chicago two long articles appeared 

 in one of the daily newspapers relative 

 to a proposed public aquarium, to be 

 similar to the one in Battery Park, New 

 York City. A movement has been 

 inaugurated to have an expenditure of 

 $25,000.00 authorized for the erection of 

 a properly equipped building in Lincoln 

 Park, in conjunction with the Zoo. If 

 the plan is consumated, an effort will 

 be made to have a state hatchery in the 

 building, that the public may see and 

 understand the efforts that are being 

 made to maintain the supply of food 

 and game fishes. 



Our societies can do much to foster 

 this growing interest in the subject. 

 The public exhibits by the New York 

 and Brooklyn Societies, and the more 

 private ones of the Philadelphia Society, 

 have done inuch to direct attention to 

 the "wonders" that may be kept in the 

 household aquarium. Just how fast this 

 desire can be fanned into ;flame depends 

 entirely upon the efforts of each mem- 

 ber of our clubs. Every one should ask 



himself a few questions. Have I evinced 

 sufficient interest in the queries of the 

 beginner, invited him to the club 

 and tried to secure a subscription to 

 The Aquarium? What is your answer, 

 member? Did you ever pause and 

 ponder over the indisputable fact that 

 the continued success of any movement, 

 or organization, depends entirely upon 

 the continued infusion of new blood 

 and new enthusiasm? Therefore, it is 

 your bounden duty to round into the 

 fold every tyro that crosses your path. 

 Foster patiently that kindling desire for 

 knowledge. Every additional subscriber 

 you secure means at least five readers, 

 and a larger field for our hobby. Let 

 us all pull together; it is a great work, 

 full of interest and well worth our best 

 endeavors. 



The Brook Silverside. 



(Coiitiiiiu'd from pus't' l!!*.) 



delicate, it seems to take kindly to con- 

 finement in the aquarium, but is im- 

 patient of warm water. A rise in the 

 temperature to seventy degrees made it 

 decidedly morose, in contrast to the 

 delight of its tropical companions, and 

 seventy-five to eighty degrees (Fahren- 

 heit) spelt death. A temperature of 

 about sixty-five degrees seemed the 

 happiest. The specimens of which I 

 write, were secured in the early autumn 

 from the broad cool shallows of a large 

 lake, which probably accounts for their 

 preference for cool water. 



Thus far, I have been unable to 

 secure any information as to its breeding 

 habits. In the preparation of the 

 article I am indebted to the report of 

 the Illinois Natural History Survey on 

 the fishes of that state, and the obser- 

 vations of the writer who has studied 

 the species, which is found in Wolf 

 Lake, near Hammond, Indiana. 



