92 NATURE AND THE CAMERA 



The first thing to do before undertaking fish pho- 

 tography is to prepare a special and somewhat elab- 

 orate outfit. Besides the camera, lens, etc., there 

 must be a suitable aquarium, and this will have to be 

 made to order. When having it constructed, con- 

 sider first of all what will be the length of the largest 

 fish you intend to photograph, and have your aqua- 

 rium at least four inches longer. It is not advisable to 

 attempt fish longer than twenty-eight inches (except 

 such as the garpike or other slender fish), as they are 

 very difficult to handle. The aquarium may be of 

 the portable type, though this has no particular 

 advantage and is seldom water-tight. It is better, 

 therefore, to build one strongly, so that it will not 

 break apart or leak. Then it can be packed ready 

 for shipping by screwing a heavy board over the 

 glass and top. 



Good quality of clear white pine is about the 

 most satisfactory wood to use. It should not be less 

 than seven eighths of an inch thick except for a very 

 small aquarium, when half an inch would do. The 

 best way to insure its being water-tight, notwith- 

 standing what the carpenters will tell you to the 

 contrary, is to cut a shallow groove, B (Fig. i), 

 along the parts that come in contact. In this groove 

 lay rubber tubing, which may or may not be sealed 

 at either end. When the parts are drawn together 

 by means of long screws (brass by preference) the 



