Aquatic lilt 



few in species, they make up in numbers. 

 It has been estimated that they average 

 about one hundred thousand to the acre. 



The earthworm forms an excellent and 

 easily obtained food for many aquarium 

 fishes. It is customary to select small, 

 tender ones— not hrge "night crawlers" 

 — and to cut each into small pieces suit- 

 able in size to the particular fishes to be 

 fed. When tiny particles are desired for 

 fry, place a tablespoonful of coarse sand 

 in a round-bottom china bowl, add a few 

 worms killed by scalding, then proceed 

 to grind with a smooth, water-worn peb- 

 ble the size of a hen's egg, just as a chem- 

 ist would use a mortar and pestle ; add 

 water, stir rapidly for a moment, pause 

 to allow sand to settle, then pour off into 

 another vessel. The tiny particles of 

 worm will be held in suspension in the 

 water longer than the heavier sand. By 

 thus decanting several times if necessary, 

 the ground worm will be separated from 

 the sand and may then be fed. 



For a winter supply of worms, secure 

 a wooden box from the grocer, or several 

 if a large supply is desired. Be certain 

 that the box is securely nailed. Put in a 

 two-inch layer of garden soil and leaf 

 mould, and over it distribute a good layer 

 of worms. Add two more layers of earth 

 and worms, with an inch layer of soil 

 on top. Cover with three boards an inch 

 thick, leaving an inch space all around, 

 with a brick on each board. Place the 

 box in a moderately col cellar, and 

 sprinkle occasionally to keep moist. 

 Every sixty days mash a cold boiled 

 potato and mix with the top layer of soil. 

 When worms are desired, lift off the 

 boards and they will be found on the 

 surface. Do not disturb the soil any 

 more than is necessary. 



On Morphology of Gambusia 



W. S. HILPERT 



One of the most interesting studies 

 carried out at the Laboratory of the 

 Bureau of Fisheries, at Beaufort, N. C, 

 is that reported by Dr. Albert Kunz, of 

 the University of Iowa, in "Science." 



Dr. Kunz's studies were devoted to 

 the morphology of the reproductive or- 

 gans of Gambusia affinis, which abounds 

 in the vicinity of Beaufort, in all the 

 fresh water streams entering the harbor. 

 His efforts were especially directed to 

 the structure of the apparatus control- 

 ling the modified anal fin in the male 

 Gambusia. "This fin," the report tells us, 

 ''functions as an intromittent organ and 

 is controlled by a powerful muscle, 

 which has its origin on a boney process 

 projecting ventrally from the fourth to 

 the last abdominal vertebrae, and the 

 modified anal spines of the proximal end 

 of the anal fin rays. The third, fourth 

 and fifth rays of the fin are enlarged, 

 greatly elongated and variously curved, 

 bearing short spines on their distal por- 

 tions. The interhemal which articulates 

 with the third ray is enlarged and suf- 

 ficiently elongated to articulate with the 

 two anterior processes, on which the 

 muscle controlling the anal fin has its 

 origin. The fifth ray may be drawn for- 

 ward at one side of the fourth and 

 brought into proximity with the third. 

 In this manner a groove or tube is form- 

 ed, through which the milt is transferred 

 from the male to the female." 



When you can't remove an obstacle, 

 plow around it. — Lincoln. 



The study of Nature is an intercourse 

 with the highest mind. You shoul.l 

 never trifle with Nature. At the lowest 

 her works are the works of the highest 

 powers, the highest something in what- 

 ever way we may look at it. — Louis 

 Agassis. 



