274 



THE AQUARIUM AND WATER PLANTS. 



It is well, however, to understand that no aquarium does 

 well unless stocked with some forms of both animal and 

 vegetable life. The goodness of the Creator has, in Nature, 

 proportioned the one to the other, each consuming what 

 is injurious to the other, and both together working with 

 that admirable adaptation which ever characterizes the 

 works of God. 



FIG. i. 



We must, in our imitation of the great provisions of 

 Nature, in an humble way, provide as she provides, and so 

 proportion our animal and vegetable life as to give health 

 and beauty to both. For this reason a few of the smaller 

 fish, and a quantity of snails, should always be introduced 

 into our aquarium, to preserve the proper balance by con- 

 suming surplus vegetation. 



