72 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



ever, have the habit of biting and tearing the plants from a spirit of 

 mischief, very much like the restless horse that gnaws its crib. 



This destruction of the plants can be obviated by placing in the 

 aquarium such varieties as the fish objects to, for it is a fact that they 

 manifest a liking for one kind and a repugnance to another. 



The roots of the plants are imbedded in the sand, and bits of 

 rock or pebbles placed around them to retain the plant in place, so 

 that it will not be shifted about in the water. The vessel is then 

 filled with "pure drinking water" to within a couple of inches of 

 the top (See illustration); the water, if not fit to drink, can not be 

 fit to be put in the aquarium, so that it is very essential that it be of 

 prime quality. 



When the water is in, one or two frog-tadpoles and a couple or 

 more of pond snails are put in for the purpose of consuming any 

 decaying vegetable matter that may appear, and to keep down as 

 much as possible the growth of eonfervse; the number of tad- 

 poles and snails must be determined by the size of the vessel and 

 the rapidity of growth of the algae, etc. 



When all these preparations have been made, the aquarium is 

 ready to receive the fish. 



Before they are put into it, however, the temperature of the 

 water in the vessel in which the fish are brought must be equal with 

 that in the aquarium. This is easily accomplished, and does not 

 subject the fish to any risks that would either make them sick or be 

 fatal to their lives. 



When the temperature has been equalized, the fish are gently 

 introduced to their future home, taking care that they are not 

 plunged in so roughly that they become frightened. This perform- 

 ance may, under some circumstances, consume an hour's time, 

 when, for instance, the fish have been carried a distance during 

 severely cold weather, as then the changing of them from the 



