Report of the Executive Committee 83 



animals are accommodated with a graduated depth of water, and are 

 well seen from the front, which alone should be of glass, the rest of the 

 tank being made of slate. 



" Position. — The aquarium should be placed against, or below, a 

 window having a north or north-east aspect. Other aspects make it 

 difficult to regulate the important conditions of — 



" Light and Heat. — In any aspect, care must be taken to allow 

 sufficient light to fall on the aquarium to stimulute the growth of vege- 

 tation without producing an excess of confervoid growths. Direct sun- 

 shine is best avoided. Excessive heat must be kept down by shading, 

 and, if necessary, the use of wet cloths. 



"Stocking the AquaPium. — Sea- water should be allowed to 

 settle and become bright before being placed in the tank. Vegetation 

 must exist in the water for some time before the animals are introduced. 

 Plants of Ulva or Enteromorpha, attached to clean stones or shells, are 

 best to begin with. Minute vegetation will soon be developed on the 

 sides of the tank and on the rock-work. A few common and hardy sea- 

 anemones [Actinia mesevibryanihemum) may be placed in the tank and 

 watched. If they remain healthy, other species may be added, together 

 with various forms of marine life, preferably animals of sedentary habit. 

 Fishes, Crustacea, and annelids (except Serpula) are best kept in separate 

 vessels. 



"General Management. — Sea-anemones require feeding, say, 

 once a week, with morsels of oyster, mussel, or raw beef, which must be 

 placed on the disk of the animal. Uneaten or undigested food must be 

 removed by means of a glass tube. 



"The aquarium should be kept covered with glass to exclude dust 

 and to check evaporation. When a film is observed on the surface of the 

 water it should be removed by means of a sheet of paper, and the water 

 agitated to assist oxygenation. The density of the water must be main- 

 tained by compensating for loss by evaporation, by adding a little dis- 

 tilled or pure fresh water from time to time. 



"A daily inspection should be made, and all dead matter promptly 

 removed. 



" Any dulness in the water indicates insufficient oxygenation, and a 

 syringe may be used. The secret of success is the preservation of the 

 balance of animal and vegetable life, and if this is attended to, the 

 aquarium will remain in health for an unlimited period without change 

 of water." 



Amongst the exhibits sent by Mr. Robert William Fuller 

 (aged 16), of Heme Bay, the map of the district, showing 



