74 



&quauc JLitt 



numerous larval salamanders, and the 

 resemblance of the two in shape, color 

 and movement, was striking. Four 

 males and two females were secured at 

 this time, the latter containing large yel- 

 low eggs, i to Ij4 mm. in diameter. 



This species appears to be nocturnal 

 in habit, invariably attempting to hide in 

 the daytime, and when disturbed moving 

 from hiding place to hiding place in short, 

 wriggling dashes of astonishing rapidity. 

 One example, taken in the Peedee River, 

 survived a trying journey to Washington, 

 where it lived in a small aquarium for 

 several months. Although supplied with 

 a variety of live food, it was never ob- 

 served to feed in the daytime. 



Considering the apparent hardiness of 

 this species, and the character of the 

 waters it inhabits, it would appear to be 

 well suited for observation in the aqua- 

 rium, which might throw some light on 

 its habits and life-history. 



A Wood Aquarium 



C. G. PILKINGTON 



At the present time, in Australia, it is 

 difficult to secure all-glass aquaria. Inas- 

 much as not all aquarists are sufficiently 

 adept with tools to make tanks of metal, 

 with reinforced concrete base, the follow- 

 ing specifications for a tank with ends 

 and bottom of wood, one of which I have 

 had in use for fifteen years, may make 

 an appeal : 



All wood one-inch red pine, dressed 

 (cypress or first-grade white pine may 

 be substituted in America). Screws (60) 

 where shown in sketch ; all other parts 

 nailed, including top and bottom corner 

 plates, which are cut out of thin sheet 

 iron. 



Give all woodwork three coats of paint, 

 and the piece of iron, which covers the 

 bottom and two ends three coats of white 

 bath enamel after it has been bent to fit. 



The pieces of timber marked C, D and 

 E are nailed through the sheet iron to the 

 bottom and end boards. It is most im- 

 portant to see that all parts are marked 

 out accurately with a square, and that 

 bottom and end boards are square before 

 nailing together; also square everything 

 before nailing on the top and bottom cor- 

 ner plates. If the clamps are beveled off 



24 



c. Front 1 View 



Sheet I 



End of Clam ps 



-r- Tbp 8c 'Bottom 

 Corner Plates 



Ar. of each. 



r '* H 



?Jf 



■I 12.*. — 



I 21. Oz Glass-* 



~ Section A.B 



-j-21.0* Class 



at the ends as shown the appearance is 

 lighter. 



Any gcod aquarium cement will an- 

 swer for fixing the glass. That used on 

 this tank was composed of equal parts 

 of fine sand, cement, white zinc and rosin 

 mixed with boiled linseed oil. 



In making a number of aquaria the 

 height should be uniform, as a miscel- 

 laneous collection is difficult to arrange. 



You cannot run away from a weak- 

 ness ; you must some time fight it out or 

 perish. And if that be so, why not now 

 and where you stand? — Robert Louis 

 StcT'cnson. 



