170 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



sionally (the price of this instrument, I may mention, 

 is ninepence) ; a camel-hair pencil, an ivory crochet 

 pin, and a bent piece of whalebone, complete the 

 whole machinery of the Aquarium. The cost is so 

 trifling that I am sure the poorest person might man- 

 age to procure it. I sincerely hope the time is not 

 far distant when a parlour or drawing-room will not 

 be considered completely furnished unless it contain 

 an ocean in miniature in the shape of a tasteful 

 Aquarium. 



Now, supposing the tank to be complete, let me 

 describe how to collect stock for it, as well as the 

 simple equipment that is required. Different writers 

 have different opinions upon this subject. One tells 

 us we must have a "pair of high wading boots;" a 

 second states, among other things, that it is necessary 

 to engage the services of " a strong-backed quarry- 

 man, with a strong-backed crowbar." The labours of 

 an individual of this class, who assisted the learned 

 author from whom I quote, are thus chronicled : 



"After five minutes' tugging, propping, slipping, 

 and splashing, the boulder gradually tips over, and 

 we rush greedily to the spoil; a muddy, dripping 

 surface it is," &c. 



Very probably so: indeed there cannot be much 

 difficulty in realising this picture to the mind's eye. 

 For my own part, I should decidedly object to make 

 a toil of pleasure, and submit to such slavery. I 

 should also object to the " meet me by moonlight 

 alone" appearance of the respectable individual with 



