The Balanced Aquarium and the Snailery 



sides, are considered the most dependable shape for the home or 

 school aquarium. Many of these are maintained in the New 

 York schools. The slight distortion of the shape and size of an 

 object in the water is its main fault. This is easily forgiven in a 

 tank that gives the maximum of strength for its size. Choose one 

 of even thickness, and perfect clearness, and free from flaws. 



Glass globes are beautiful but dangerous. They have too 

 small air surface for the water they contain. Their curved sides 

 act as a burning glass, concentrating the sun's rays, and heating 

 the water. A sun-lit bowl of gold fish is a dazzling object. But 

 the unfortunate creatures are suffering with the heat, blinded 

 by the glare, and suffocating for breath ! The owner is unaware 

 that anything is wrong. It is the height of cruelty to animals 

 to set a fish globe or any aquarium where sunshine can strike it. 



Three- to eight-gallon sizes are recommended by the best 

 authorities. Smaller ones are feasible for observing the doings 

 of particular animals. Larger ones are unmanageable in a house. 



Place the aquarium where the whole family can enjoy it. 

 Set it on a small table, so it can be viewed on all sides. Set the 

 table in front of a north window if practicable, so as to have light, 

 but no direct sunshine. Any window may have the right light 

 if protected by a veranda roof or an awning. If the table has 

 a marble or metal top, set the aquarium on a wooden base, to 

 prevent danger of cracking. 



Stocking the Fresh Water Aquarium. — First put into the (per- 

 fectly clean) tank two inches of coarse gravel which has been 

 thoroughly washed. "Bird gravel" is not so good as a coarser 

 grade. Put in bits of rock that please your fancy, a piece of rock 

 work if your taste leans toward artificial structures. 



Plants with good root systems are easily anchored in the 

 gravel. Others may be attached to sinkers of some kind which 

 will hold them down. A cluster of stalks may be wrapped with 

 a strip of sheet lead and planted in the gravel. Choose vigorous 

 young specimens, of not too many kinds. Three or four are 

 plenty, and do not crowd the tank. Let each plant display its 

 good points. Give it room to grow. 



The "Fontinalis"' of aquarists {Antipyretica fontinalis) is a 

 feathery moss-like plant that grows on decayed logs or on stones 

 in the beds of streams or by springs. This is a most beautiful 

 and useful plant for the aquarium. It can be found, and it keeps 



II 



