Botany and Zoology. 135 
became foul during the unsuccessful experiments on the sea-weeds, but 
since then it has been rarely ever disturbed; the loss which takes 
place from evaporation being made up, as before stated, with rain or 
distilled water. 
For a considerable period, after commencing these experiments, I 
notice appended to a paper published in the ** Annals of Natural His- 
to 
most heartily responded to my wants. It must not be imagined for 
a moment that the beautiful creatures [I have thus received have 
be lw 
experimenting implies a disturbance of the then state of things. Be- 
sides which, from want of a sufficient knowledge of natural history, 
from want of forethought and experience and other causes, I have lost 
many very fine specimens; and as the detail of these losses may pre- 
vent the occurrence of the like annoyances to others, I shall venture to 
occupy your time for a short period with their history. 
_ My greatest loss arose from too great anxiety to transfer the collec- 
tion [had preseved in a healthy condition to the end of December, 
1852, into the new tank. As soon as it arrived from the maker's | lost 
no time in introducing my numerous family to their new abode, and 
dearly I paid for my precipitancy, for on the next morning I found 
many of my most beautiful specimens dead ; thus I lost two fine Holo- 
thurias (H. Pentactes), a small freckled Goby (Gobius minutus), a 
beautiful little Pipe-fish (Syngnathus lumbriciformis ), and several oth- 
*cava rugos 
Serpule, Coryne sessilis and many others. ? 
he common Crab (Cancer Manas) is likewise a most destructive 
agent; and the tribe of rock-fish, the Blennies, Gobies, &e. are also 
ost voracious, devouring all the varieties of Cirrhipeds, Corallines, 
2 Polyps, Annelids, &c.; they will also attack the shrimps and prawns, 
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