342 NATURAL HISTOEY OF OUR SHORES 



my simple system will be criticised, but all I can say is that 

 I have had over four decades of experience in the matter, 

 and this system has answered with me, and with many 

 friends to whom I have recommended it. 



If there is a green growth on the glass as there will be, 

 especially on the side towards the light do not remove 

 this : it is a good thing, as will easily be seen when the 

 light is full on it. Little bells of freed oxygen will be seen 

 forming all over this confervoid growth, which now and 

 again break away and rise to the surface ; these are sup- 

 plying the life-giving element, the dearth of which is the 

 cause of all breakdown. 



In regard to feeding, it is surprising how little food is 

 required by most of these animals. The great Dahlia 

 anemone is the most voracious of all, and a whelk per 

 week will be ample supply for it, and a week without food, 

 although it may cause it to look smaller, will do it no harm. 



For fishes, prawns, etc., little bits of any fresh fish, 

 shredded fine, will be all that is needed, except for the 

 wrasses if these are kept. These fish do not care for 

 an approach to cannibalism. In nature their food consists 

 chiefly of crabs and worms. I have seen very hungry 

 wrasses in the aquarium decline sand-eels the choicest 

 menu that could be offered to the majority of sea fishes. 

 Bits of whelk or bits of crab or lobster would be best for 

 these. 



Hatching and Rearing. For the young student who may 

 be desirous of going a little deeper into the subject of marine 

 zoology, and would like to note for himself the processes 

 of development, the simple aquarium tank will not answer, 

 but some plan which causes currents of water or movement 

 of the eggs will be required. 



If a female lobster carrying maturing eggs is watched 

 in an aquarium, it will be seen that the " swimmarets " 

 to which the eggs are attached maintain an incessant 



