subject of this paper and is introduced simply 

 to illustrate the necessity or desirability for exact 

 definition in establishing standards. 



The question of how an aquarium should be 

 judged is an imi)ortant one, inasmuch as it in- 

 volves both scientific value and fairness to the 

 individual. Undoubtedly, the aquarium, which de- 

 pends solely on the mutual adjustment of the re- 

 lations between the plant and animal life, has the 

 highest scientific value and should receive the 

 highest consideration and commendation. The 

 highest standard should be the closest approxima- 

 tion to nature and tlie absence of artificiality. 



In the first place, the aquarium tank should 

 be judged separately as a purely mechanical 

 production, entirely apart from its contents. Its 

 surroundings should not be considered as a set- 

 ting to give it artistic value. It is, perhaps, un- 

 fortunate that we are not all equally endowed with 

 the possession of the necessaiy accessories for 

 producing external artistic effects, but it would 

 be manifestly undemocratic and unjust that the 

 aquarium of the poor man shovild not receive its 

 meed because of the grander surroundings of 

 one more fortunate. Xo picture is judged by its 

 frame. It has the same value on the easel, frame- 

 less, in the studio of the artist, as amid splendid 

 surroundings in the gallery of a king. Xo piece 

 of sculpture gains in value because of the place 

 it occupies. It is the scul})ture that gives fame 

 to its repositary. 



The internal arrangement of an aquarium 

 should approximate nature as nearly as possible, 

 and should be judged on its merits in this respect. 

 Everything that M^ould be unnatural or incongru- 

 ous should be avoided. 



Terra cotta ornaments are an abomination. Sea 

 shells and corals have no rightful place in the 

 fresh water aquarium. Plants not strictly aquatic, 

 placed in the aquarium for temporary effect, should 

 be barred. Everything that is incongruous in its 

 effect is inartistic. 



A study of plants in a natural condition will 

 show no evidences of the cleansing processes so 

 evident in the average aquarium, where even the 

 microscopic plants are considered obnoxious and 



15 



