22 



Aquatic Hit 



kept in a torpid state for three years and 

 a half, and have at the end of this time 

 been readily revived." Frogs of certain 

 kinds are known to pass the winter in 

 the mud under water, while others find 

 refuge only a few inches under the dead 

 leaves in the woods. Salamanders and 

 lizards when found in winter under logs 

 or stones do not appear to be in a dor- 

 mant state, but scurry away as lively as 

 ever. The common Wood Tortoise bur- 

 rows in the leaves, while the aquatic spe- 

 cies go to the deeper water or bury them- 

 selves in the mud, where they remain 

 until the coming of spring. They, like 

 all other creatures that hibernate, prepare 

 for this long fast by getting "extra fat" 

 in the fall, and are considered at this 

 time very good food. Some varieties of 

 serpents hibernate intertwined together 

 in large numbers. The common Garter 

 Snake is an example. 



The carps, as well as many other 

 fishes, are known to pass the winter in 

 hibernation, and, although they are not 

 entirely torpid, they are said to live with- 

 out food, except in warm climates. The 

 bass may not take food during the winter 

 even in an aquarium, and does not grow. 

 Although in these cases, and with the 

 turtles and frogs, much depends upon the 

 particular species, since different habits 

 characterize the various kinds. Eels will 

 migrate to the sea when they can, but 

 have been found in the mud during the 

 winter when migration was not possible. 



The Gilt Edge Aquarium 



With the caption, "An Attractive 

 Household Aquarium" is shown, on page 

 19, a tank of more than passing interest. 

 The burnished frame hangs upon that 

 of the aquarium and conceals it, so that 

 one views an actual living picture. On 

 first thought one might consider that the 

 frame defeats its purpose, detracting at- 



tention from the contents, but in reality 

 the seeming weight is more that counter- 

 balanced by the quantity of plants. Par- 

 ticularly noteworthy is the beautiful mass 

 of Potomogeton on the right. Its size 

 can be best appreciated by comparison 

 with that of the tank — four feet long 

 by twenty inches deep. In the back- 

 ground appears Sagittaria sinensis; cen- 

 tre, Cabomba caroliniana; right, Ouviran- 

 dra fenestralis, the Madagascar Lace 

 Plant, thrusts its latticed leaves above a 

 dense growth of Italian V allisneria spir- 

 alis, Heteranthera zosteraefolia, Litd- 

 wigia mullertti and several other species. 

 At night the tank is illuminated by a 

 number of miniature electric lights, dis- 

 tributed over the cover-glass and under 

 an opaque roof. These cast a soft glow on 

 the life below, and complete a picture 

 that is hard to describe adequately. It 

 lias received a number of high awards, 

 including a silver cup, in household 

 aquarium contests. 



To photograph an aquarium a rather 

 long time exposure is usually productive 

 of the best results, hence the fishes must 

 be removed : in fact, it is well to do so 

 the day previous, to allow all sediment 

 to settle. The aquarium shown had been 

 established several months before the 

 photograph was made. 



One of the largest recorded specimens 

 of the ray or devil-fish was found some 

 time ago in Delaware Bay. The monster 

 measured seventeen and one-half by 

 eighteen feet, and weighed five tons — 

 eleven thousand two hundred pounds. 

 An elephant weighs between three and 

 four tons. 



Heard some one say the Quaker City 

 was slow ! Suggest you attend the com- 

 ing meetings of the two societies. Wager 

 you change your mind ! 



