44 HOURS WITH NATURE. 



water for a few minutes, and to scrub and wash them 

 thoroughly before filling in the gam/a with water. Unless 

 this is done, the various decaying animal and vegetable 

 matters adhering to them will soon rot, and render the 

 water unwholesome to its inhabitants. With regard to 

 water, an experienced popular naturalist recommends that 

 the best is that which is drawn from a river, and next to 

 that is the water of a pond. Although this recommenda- 

 tion is meant for another country with different climatic 

 conditions, it can be followed in India also. 



Stocking of an Aquarium. The next impor- 

 tant point, after having filled the gamla or aquarium with 

 water drawn either from a river or a pond, is to stock it. 

 To begin with, select some suitable aquatic plants. They 

 will add much to the beauty of an aquarium, and 

 afford shelter, amusement, and food to the fishes and 

 crustaceans, and instruction to the owner. Some common 

 plants are here indicated, and one or all of them may be 

 used according as the place is large or small. 



Sheola (Oscillaria amphibia), must be familiar to every 

 Indian student who has ever bathed in a tank with old 

 brick-steps, which are generally covered by a thick slippery 

 layer of this species of Alga. They are filamentous 

 or thread-like in structure and of microscopic smallness. 

 The extremities of the filaments have a peculiar worm- 

 like motion, which is best seen under water when it is 

 slightly disturbed. 



Pata or Halla ( Vallisnerea octandra Willd) is another 

 aquatic plant which may be advantageously employed for 



