NEWTS A FRESH WATER AQUARIUM 15 



powers of sight and hearing, and last but not least his behaviour 

 with wasps and other harmful insects, will furnish plenty of oppor- 

 tunities for careful observation. 



NEWTS 



The tailed amphibia or newts are always popular inmates of 

 aquaria. An excellent cage for these creatures is made by taking 

 an ordinary bell jar and fixing to it an arrangement such as is 

 shown in Figure 153. 



There are three different species of newts found in Britain, and 

 the student should try and find specimens of all. The methods of 

 egg-laying, and the different kinds of food of these animals, are still 

 matters requiring observation. 



* 



A FRESH- WATER AQUARIUM 



Directions were given in Part I, Chapter III, as to the keeping 

 of a marine aquarium, and the difficulties attendant on its successful 

 management were pointed out. Animals and plants, however, that 

 live in fresh water are much more easily dealt with. 



It will probably be found, however, that hard water (namely that 

 containing salts of lime) had better be avoided, except for large 

 aquaria in which fish are kept in a constant supply of running 

 water. For still aquaria, rain water will give the best results in the 

 case of molluscs and insect larvae and pond mussels, and especially 

 the delicate hydras and protozoa. The latter indeed should be kept 

 in small glass vessels rather than in large aquaria, when they can 

 be better looked after.* 



* See Appendix, for hints on the cultivation of Protozoa. 



