486 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK 



in the gravel. Those that belong to the family of lilies 

 should have the roots encased in lumps of stiff clay, and the 

 gravel strewn over them after setting them out. 



After trying water-lizards, tadpoles, snails, young ter- 

 rapins, &c., I discarded them, and found that Eoach, Groldfisb, 

 and other Cyprinoids were as good scavengers as the ugly 

 reptileS; and that they cleaned the bottom very effectually of 

 any food left by the Sunfish, and others of the Perch family, 

 which, as a general rule, seize their food before it falls to the 

 bottom. 



To prevent the fish from biting the plants it is necessary 

 to feed them : care should be taken, however, that little of the 

 food remains. A thimble will contain as much chopped 

 meat as will sustain a dozen fish for a week ; half of that 

 quantity given twice a week would be better. Flies or live 

 insects thrown on the water are greedily seized by the Sun- 

 fish. 



One reason for preferring a four-sided vessel with parallel 

 sides is, that by standing in front of it you can see entirely 

 through it, as the fish are moving about. When you look at 

 them at a little distance from one of the corners, and above 

 the level of the aquarium, the refraction creates a pleasing 

 illusion, each fish near the angle appearing like four. 



