36 



Aquatic liitt 



apart to form two new cells. This is 

 called reproduction by division. This 

 form of reproduction gradually weakens 

 the reproductive powers of the subse- 

 quent generations, therefore another. 

 form is sometimes resorted to, which is 

 reproduction by conjugation. In this 

 process two cells come together to form 

 one, and after an exchange of sexual ele- 

 ments reproduction goes on as before. 

 This is on the same principle as breed- 

 ing stock, where new blood must be intro- 

 duced occasionally, for if it is not done 

 degeneration of the stock takes place. 

 The complete process of cell reproduction 

 has never been completely worked out. 



The bacteria, or germs as they are 

 sometimes called, are the simplest form 

 of living cells, as it has not yet been dem- 

 onstrated that they contain a definite 

 nucleus, as do most cells. It is supposed 

 that the nuclear material is scattered 

 throughout the protoplasm. The reason 

 for bacteria having such a simple organ- 

 ization is that they are all more or less 

 parasitic in nature, and therefore depend 

 largely on other organisms for their sup- 

 ply of nourishment. This parasitism is 

 illustrated by the behavior of the bac- 

 teria which prey upon the human body. 

 such as the bacillus of tuberculosis, which 

 lives by eating up the tissue in which it 

 is imbedded. Here the nourishment is 

 already prepared for the germ, and it 

 has merely to absorb it. All parasitic 

 forms of life are found to be in a more 

 or less degenerate state, as the disuse of 

 a function generally always leads to de- 

 cay, this is well illustrated by the fact 

 that people who do little or no manual 

 work have poorly developed muscles. 

 The bacteria are so low in form that it 

 has not been finally decided whether they 

 are plants or animals. Botanists claim 

 tb. em for plants and zoologists hold that 

 they belong to the Animal Kingdom, as 

 thev exhibit some of the characteristics 



of both plants and animals, although they 

 favor the plant group a little more than 

 the animal group. In either event they 

 may be taken for the starting point of 

 both the plants and the animals. 

 To be Continued 



The Brooklyn Exhibit 



We note with great pleasure that at 

 the big show of the Brooklyn Aquarium 

 Society, September 21st to 24th, Mr. 

 Harry P. Peters, of Philadelphia, was 

 awarded the diploma for the "Six Best 

 Young Goldfish Bred by Exhibitor in 

 1916, Residing Outside of Greater New 

 York." Long since, Harry accumulated 

 such a store of awards that he ceased 

 to find it interesting to paper rooms with 

 the ribbons; hence he has during recent 

 years seldom exhibited for prizes, but 

 when he does he usually "brings home 

 the bacon." Congratulations. 



Mr. Franklin Barrett, who takes great 

 pride in his great collection of goldfish 

 and other species, was awarded the 

 diploma for the "Best Display Shown by 

 an Exhibitor Residing Outside of 

 Greater New York." Many of Mr. Bar- 

 rett's fine goldfish have been illustrated in 

 Aquatic Life;. 



The diploma for the "Best Display of 

 Tropical Fishes" was secured by Mr. 

 Isaac Buchanan. Other diplomas : Miss 

 C. M. Ploppe for "Balanced Aquarium 

 Less than Five Gallons;" Frank B. 

 Johonnot. "Balanced Aquarium Over 

 Five Gallons;" Charles E. Visel, "Larg- 

 est and Best Exhibit ;" William Tricker, 

 "Best Display of Aquatic and Semi- 

 Aquatic Plants ;" Charles E. Visel, "Six 

 Best Young Goldfish Bred by Local Ex- 

 hibitor." 



A few copies of the title page and 

 index to volume one are still available for 

 distribution. A postal card request is 

 sufficient. 



