168 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



CHAPTER XIT. 



How TO " COLLECT," AND STOCK THE " TANK." 



" And thus while I wander'd on ocean's bleak shore, 

 And survey'd its vast surface, and heard its waves roar, 

 I seem'd wrapt in a dream of romantic delight, 

 And haunted by Majesty, Grlory, and Might." 



B. BARTON. 



" Thus I found, as I have often done before in my natural 

 history experience, that it is not always the most likely places 

 that yield the richest harvest to the explorer." P. H. GOSSE. 



I DO not think I can more fitly conclude this little 

 work than by giving some plain directions regarding 

 the establishment of an Aquarium. 



Of course the first thing that is required is the 

 tank. This indispensable requisite can be had, of all 

 sizes, ready made, at many shops, both in London and 

 Edinburgh, and at prices varying from two shillings 

 to ten pounds. The expensive kind are' of consider- 

 able size, and are either square or oblong in form. 

 Their construction is very peculiar, and unless ex- 

 tremely well made, they are apt to become leaky and 

 get seriously out of order. Indeed, the most care- 



