THE AQUARIUM. 45 



our purpose. It is grass-like in appearance, and grows 

 abundantly in tanks and freshwater pools all over Bengal. 

 A small tuft should be potted in a flower pot for im- 

 mersion in the water. 



Tokapana (Pistia stratiotesW\\\$) is far too well- 

 known a weed to require any description. A few of 

 these weeds floating on the surface of the water will add 

 to the beauty and utility of an aquarium. 



The common Shusnisak (Marsilea qudrifolia Roxb.) 

 is another interesting plant which will amply repay the 

 trouble of cultivating it in a small pot for the object 

 indicated above. 



Live stock for the Aquarium. As already 

 mentioned, materials for stocking a small aquarium, or 

 to use a less pretentious word, a gamla or tub, are 

 abundant everywhere in India. Our green lanes, ponds, 

 tanks, swamps, and rivers teem with animal life from 

 which selections may be made. Some trouble in search- 

 ing for and procuring them is, of course, unavoidable ; 

 but it will be amply repaid by the pleasure and instruc- 

 tion which the objects will afford. 



Pond snails and fresh-water mussels. Within twenty 

 yards or less of one's homestead, there may be a pond 

 or tank full of pond snails and freshwater mussels 

 (Gugli, Sdmuk) Jhinuk). Fish up some and place them 

 in the gamla or tub among the vegetation. They 

 are objects of great interest, as will be found when ob- 

 served at leisure. 



Fresh-water sponges. Large trees such as banyan, 



