THE CARE OF HOME AQUARIA 61 



best for the beginner since the higher powers have a smaller 

 field and are increasingly difficult to manage. 



THE STUDY OF AQUARIA. 



The aquarium student will naturally be interested in obtain- 

 ing all the information he can, not only on the care and manage- 

 ment of his aquarium, but also with regard to the natural history 

 of his animals and plants. There are several means of accom- 

 plishing this end. 



In the first place, the aquarium society affords a splendid 

 opportunity for comparing notes with others who are interested, 

 and many of the problems that confront the beginner can be 

 solved immediately in conference with more experienced aquar- 

 ists. Also much information regarding the habits and life his- 

 tories of aquarium plants and animals may be obtained in the 

 same manner, and a good opportunity is presented for the ex- 

 change of specimens. Aquarium societies exist in New York, 

 Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston and Mil- 

 waukee, but the number should be greatly increased. In every 

 city there are many people interested in aquaria, and it often 

 happens that a small society will do better work than a larger 

 one, on account of the greater opportunity for personal contact 

 and informal discussion. 



Secondly, a vast amount of information can best be obtained 

 through the published works dealing with the subject. The ap- 

 pended list includes only such as are contained in the New York 

 Aquarium library, all of which can be recommended to the ama- 

 teur aquarist. There are undoubtedly many other useful books 

 on this subject. Most of those issued by American publishers are 

 still to be obtained from the regular booksellers, but a few are 

 out of print and can only be picked up occasionally from the sec- 

 ond-hand dealers. 



Thirdly, there are numerous foreign and one American jour- 

 nal devoted to the small aquarium and its inhabitants. Subscrip- 

 tion to at least one, preferably The Aquarmm, which is pub- 

 lished jointly by the American societies, is strongly recom- 

 mended as the best means of keeping in touch with advancement 

 in the study of aquaria and aquarium organisms. 



