46 FRESH- WA TER AQUARIA. 



may be adhering . to their stems and leaves, so that 

 they are afterwards hatched. 



Let us suppose that all these directions have been 

 attended to, the plants are growing in the recently 

 poured in water, and the latter is clear and transparent. 

 Now let it remain in this state for a day or two, when 

 the plants will have recovered from the shock occa- 

 sioned by their transference, and the water will have 

 been tolerably well charged with the oxygen they 

 have given off. Then add one or two animals, a couple 

 of minnows or newts, and a water snail or two, and 

 watch the results. From what we have already said 

 in the last chapter you will at once perceive whether 

 there is a redundancy of animal or vegetable life, and 

 be able to modify their relationship accordingly. 

 When there is evidently a balance, endeavour to keep 

 it. All the objects, animal and vegetable, which you 

 have stocked the tank with, are mortal, and will 

 sicken and die. You must at once remove dead bodies, 

 or they will taint the water. A pair of wooden forceps 

 will be handy for picking them up from the bottom 

 where they are sure to be found occasionally lying. 

 A little hand-net will also be found useful both for 

 removing specimens and procuring them for further 

 and minuter investigation. 



If fish are kept they require a little food, but the 

 quantity is so small that it does not do to provide it 

 for them artificially. On no account get into the habit 

 of feeding fish or newts with pieces of raw beef, or even 



