Aquatic Lite 95 
Breeding the Bitterling 
Last year I imported a number of Bit- 
terlings from Asia. During October they 
showed signs of spawning. I at once 
placed some mussels in the tank, and 
three days later the fish deposited their 
eggs in them. Unfortunately the mus- 
sels died before the eggs hatched, but this 
brief experience at least demonstrates 
that the species will accept an American 
molluse.—R. Borden. 
Se 
A reader of Aguatic LiFs asks for 
the number of species of fishes. An ac- 
curate answer is impossible because new 
species among all classes of animals are 
continually being recognized and de- 
scribed. A general estimate, in round 
figures, places the number of known ani- 
mals as given in the appended list. It 
affords an interesting comparison of the 
relative abundance of the groups. 
WMirarmiirallis saseak hs en ere 8 aoc 7,000 
SiG Sure wei pcbarunen cic meena a 20,000 
ING pine Sie aren. Neyer epee, oes og 5,500 
XavrarClMianSks an ote ee et 1,800 
HSISM eS tere ch. ec SN Nees 12,000 
IVFOISKSs net ios im aletensts 60,000 
NMS CCES errata Sido east Mayer oon iat 400,000 
JENICANG aVGHKG EET MS eaalhr Oe Seca eaenE a Oa elie 5,000 
Srustaceansiney aries 8,000 
MIMIC ALE Sieh = Ie he eects ee 300 
Asana WWOINS Gooocobe soos 4,000 
IRSCKUDE SES 20 aes tene cones eae eee 350 
eho dernnisi: see eee ae 3,000 
Moreen WOMinS. 9 fo ecb bocca oc 1,600 
NiolltiscordCalearerae riences 1,700 
IDEN VO MONS, ais eale, cee eo Uae: 4,500 
Coclenterata wee whe ee 4,300 
JE ONPG Renin AM an, ae ae een 2,500 
NT OLOZO Abe sass rte wal crt Ue catia 10,0CO 
When a man knows his own imperfec- 
tions he is just about as perfect as it is 
possible for a man to be. 
The Essex Society 
At the regular meeting of the Essex 
County Aquarium Society, February 
15th, an informal talk on breeding the 
goldfish was given by Dr. Bachmann, 
Rev. Coltarti and Mr. Hedden. Mr. H. 
A. Van Cott, acting as interlocutor, kept 
the conversation in well defined channels, 
which contributed much to make the dis- 
cussion a success. Many ideas were ex- 
changed and every one added to their 
store of knowledge. 
(ry 
—_ = 
FROM surPLy| 
COLO WATER, | || 
Among the new ideas, Mr. Hedden 
suggested the use of frayed sisal rope, 
properly sterilized, to catch the spawn, 
instead of the usual plants or willow 
roots. A simple and efficient device for 
raising the temperature of water, when a 
continuous flow from the city mains to 
the aquaria is desired, has also been 
evolved by Mr. Hedden, and is illustrated 
herewith. ‘The container is a small gar- 
bage can, partitioned to cause the water 
to flow over the heated bottom, this and 
other details are indicated in the sketch. 
The cost of operation is said to be low. 
On March 15th, Mr. Van Cott will 
give an interesting lecture on the lower 
organisms. All are welcome, and a good 
attendance is expected. 
The following officers have been elect- 
ed for the year: President, Max G. Ham- 
