436 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. Vil. 
After reading up Mr. Thomas’ notes on stocking ponds, it was decided to 
send down to him in Madras for a number of Gourami, and when these duly 
arrived at the end of their long jouruey the first difficulty arose as to where to 
put them, 
An ornamental ime in the gardens was cleaned out and precautions taken 
to keep out the Murrel, and the majority of the Gourami were put into this, 
but as I was unwilling to lose sight of them altogether, I had an aquarium 
made to hold about 15 gallons, and into this I put about a dozen fish, 
Being new to aquarium management I made the usual mistakes, the result of 
which was quickly apparent by the other small fish, which I had put in with 
the Gourami, coming to the top and trying to prolong their lives by breathing 
the uppermost layer of water. 
I then noticed that the Gourami did not seem troubled much whether the 
water was in good order or not; when it was all right they remained amongst 
the weeds and never came to the top except in pursuit of a mosquito, and- 
when it was foul they came up regularly at intervals for a mouthful of fresh 
air, but never stayed there sucking at the upper layer. This discovery was a 
great relief to my mind, asthe aquarium would practically be left to take 
care of itself during my frequent absence in camp. 
I must here note that the existence of the Murrel was not the sole reason 
of my starting the aquarium; I had read in Mr. Thomas’ book that the 
Gourami grows to 20lbs.,and that he is capable of “being cultivated in 
earthen pots for the table.” Consequently I had Visions of half-a-dozen 
chatties ranged round my office each containing a four or five-pound fish 
destined to grace a future dinner party. Consequently again I anxiously 
noted the growth of the fish and tried to see a decided increase in their bulk 
after each absence in camp. 
When they first arrived they were about au inch long, and had the large 
head and eyes and thin body of all young fish. When I had had them about 
two months they were perfectly formed and very handsome, but, alas, they 
were only two inches long at the outside, and when [ had had them four 
months it was disappointingly evident that they were not going to get beyond 
this two inches. I had arranged a little ornamental rock-work at the bottom 
of the aquarium and the centre-piece consisted of a curved stone resting on 
two others and forming a kind of bridge. 
One morning when I came as usual -to look at my fish I noticed that some 
thing unusual had happened; all the fish but one had hidden themselves 
amongst the weeds and the only visible fish was a truly terrifying spectacle, 
He had turned a jet black and his red eyes, by contrast, shone like live 
coals; his fins were all erect, and he was making furious charges at any of the 
other fish which ventured to show their noses. Presently I espied another 
black-looking fish quite motionless underneath the rock-work bridge, and 
then I understood what was taking place. After chasing away all intruders 
the male came down to the female under the bridge. 
