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under observation for as long a period as was requisite beside our 

 study table. He had no doubt but that an infinitely greater amount 

 of really useful information would be obtained by the method of 

 study indicated, than by the perusal of dozens of the text-books on 

 natural history in ordinary use. The author of the paper then 

 entered into a detailed description of the aquarium, dwelling 

 chiefly upon its value in an educational point of view, the principles 

 involved in its construction, and its proper management. He 

 strongly advised those preserving marine animals alive for the 

 purpose of scientific observation, not to feed them. In proof of 

 the length of time during which they might be kept alive, and 

 apparently in the enjoyment of excellent health, without an artificial 

 supply of food, he exhibited some living specimens which he had 

 brought with him from the seaside early in September last ; also, the 

 shells and crusts of many others which had lived in his possession 

 from periods of from six weeks to seven months. He concluded 

 as follows: — "I cannot refrain from expressing a hope that The 

 Natural History Society may be induced to establish an aquarium 

 within the walls of this building. I am persuaded that such a step 

 would not only tend to popularise the study of natural history in 

 this locality, but would also enhance in no small degree the other 

 attractions of our museum. The expense attending the undertaking 

 must be small, and when we remember that the experiment has 

 already been successfully tried in other towns, both in our own 

 country and on the Continent, we may, I think, fairly anticipate a 

 similar result here. (The lecturer here spoke of the enthusiasm 

 with which the inhabitants of Brighton were promoting the con- 

 struction of an aquarium in that town.) I trust, further, that the 

 day is not far distant when many other of our public institutions 

 will possess this instructive source of amusement. While in London 

 last autumn I visited St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and was much 

 pleased in finding in one of its wards a fresh water aquarium, which 

 bore evident signs of being carefully attended to. Its presence 

 there, I have no doubt, distracted, in some measure, the thoughts 

 of the poor patients from the continual contemplation of their own 

 sufferings — a most desirable object to attain." 



