Seal. — Suggestio7is of Possible Interest 191 



eration, and whatever knowledge of aquatic life has been 

 gained through them has been by some accidental devel- 

 opment of favorable conditions. 



It seems to the writer that there should be some way 

 found under Government or other auspices to systemati- 

 cally record such observations in the interest of ichthy- 

 ology and for the encouragement of a popular interest in 

 fish-culture. Those who have the greatest opportunities 

 do not seem to be able to take advantage of them, but, as 

 a matter of fact, there is little encouragement for it, A 

 reading of "How we encourage research" in "Impres- 

 sions of Theophrastus Such" (George Elliot) is recom- 

 mended to all who have scientific aspirations. 



The term "rational development" as applied to the 

 establishment of aquaria in this paper means simply the 

 nearest possible approximation to natural conditions, or 

 in other words an endeavor to render fishes measurably 

 contented and happy so that they will continue healthy 

 and perform their natural functions. This we easily do 

 with small species in small aquaria and by simply estab- 

 lishing similar conditions on a large scale we can get the 

 same results with larger species. The writer explained 

 the general principles involved in a paper entitled "The 

 Aqua-Vivarium as an Aid to Biological Research," which 

 was published in the Bulletin of the United States Fish 

 Commission for 1885. 



While fully realizing the probable uselessness of mak- 

 ing suggestions it is the hope of the writer that some fish- 

 cultural Moses with the wisdom and prescience of a Baird 

 will one day arise and lead in a progressive development 

 of such work. Our present ideals are not beyond those 

 of the ancient Romans — the spectacular. And until we 

 get beyond menagerie methods there will be nothing bet- 

 ter. A popular development of the household aquarium 

 will do much to effect a change. Exhibits of bruised, dis- 

 eased, or half-starved specimens of either land or water 

 life are only disgusting and depressing to a well-balanced 

 mind. Some day public sentiment will condemn exhibi- 

 tions of animals except in a healthy contented condition. 



