140 Song llirds. 



and a very much prettier make. The glass is slightly 

 green, but this only adds to the pleasing appearance. 



4. These pans are very sloping, deepest in the 

 middle ; and sometimes therefore a very large shell or 

 two look well in the centre fixed at the Lack together, 

 and with a number of little shells gathered about the 

 edge, with pretty bits of coral. For my own part, I 

 always like a bath to have some sand in it; it adds 

 much to the bather's comfort, as birds slip about upon 

 glass so much, and there can be no doubt that sand is 

 more natural. If, however, marine sand, shells, or 

 corals, are used, they cannot be too well washed first, 

 as salt water is hurtful. This need not imply any 

 excessive care, merely a good soaking for four and 

 twenty hours. 



There may be a difficulty sometimes as to cement , 

 because the putty used in glazing is dangerous, as it 

 contains white lead ; while in the case of any square 

 bath being used, some means are essential for fixing 

 the panes of glass together. 



In his directions for aquariums, Mr. Shirley Hibberd 

 recommends Scott's cement, which is obtained from 

 Mr. Scott of Newcastle ; and as this can be conveyed 

 by post, it will probably be a useful hint to many per- 

 sons not living in easy reach of places where such 

 things are sold. 



The rockwork ought not to be fixed to the glass 

 itself. It is well to put it together in it, for the sake 



