LANDSCAPE GAEDENING. 303 



be called Aquariums, it is only applied to those in which 

 plants and watex animals are professedly kept. If we passed 

 a pond full of water plants and fish, we should only call 

 it a pond or canal ; but in proper aquariums, to show off 

 plants, fish, and reptiles, some attention should be paid to 

 the construction. In ordering ponds and canals, many choice 

 specimens requiring shallow water would be lost ; but it is 

 possible to render them capable of growing everything in 

 perfection by constructing steps, as it were, at the sides. In 

 some places it may be filled up to leave a depth of six inches 

 in for a certain distance, and the next shelf, as we may call 

 it, may be eighteen, or it may go shelving off to that depth, 

 and plants may be sunk in pots or baskets of proper soil ; 

 but in no case should the water be very deep. In construct- 

 ing an aquarium which may be adapted for all the interesting 

 plants, it is best to make the bottom like a flight of steps, to 

 accommodate all the species intended to be grown ; whether 

 it be under glass or otherwise the construction may be the 

 same. The supply of water should be gentle, but constant ; 

 and where it is abundant it might be in the form of a fall, 

 and reach pretty nearly the whole breadth at one end ; a pipe 

 drilled full of small holes may be made to supply a range of 

 artificial rock and trickle down it in twenty places, and the 

 pipe be nevertheless concealed from view: but fancy may 

 originate fifty different contrivances to convey the water 

 without its entrance being in sight, though it greatly increases 

 the interest of the scene if the supply be made a feature. In 

 aquariums out of doors, we strongly recommend the addition 

 of rock- work, particularly if the work is to be on a large scale. 

 The construction of an aquarium with rock-work at one end, 

 or partly surrounding it, gives an opportunity of growing a 

 fine collection of ferns, some of the most beautiful of which 

 thrive best where there is a supply of moisture ; but it would 

 be difficult to lay down any rules except so far as provision 

 is to be made for holding the water. If it be necessary to 

 excavate for it, we have to choose between puddling it all 

 over the bottom and sides with clay, or building the interior 

 with brick and cement. If it be on a large scale, puddling 

 wiU be necessary ; if on a small scale, it is better to resort to 

 brickwork. As we have intimated, provision must be made 

 for various depths of water, and the excavation must allow 

 for six inches of puddled clay; and imless the clay be 



