The Balanced Aquarium and the Snailery 



Jars containing four or five gallons of water should maintain 

 three or four fishes, two to three inches long, with four or five 

 newts, three or four small tadpoles, six or eight snails and two 

 or three clams. One or two plants extending their tops up out 

 of the water will be appreciated by the newts, which like to take a 

 breath of fresh air occasionally. Snails, too, and tadpoles, enjoy 

 this chance of a change. 



Stocking the Marine Aquarium. — First cover the bottom of 

 the tank with an inch of cleaned beach gravel. Pebbles of various 

 sizes add to the beauty of this foundation and offer lodgment 

 for anemones. Fill with the purest sea water obtainable. 



Sea lettuce (JJlva latissima) is the most desirable plant for 

 the marine aquarium. Collect from tide pools on the beach bits 

 of shell and rock fragments to which are attached young plants 

 of it. Arrange them on the foundation of sand. Broad bands 

 of this plant may be floated on bits of cork at the surface, and 

 anchored at the bottom for a green background against which 

 to see the animal life to best advantage. 



Solieria chordalis has brilliant, crimson, wiry branches in 

 profuse bunches, a beautiful contrast to the cool green Ulva. 

 It grows on rocks and shells at a few fathoms depth. 



Grenella Americana, with narrow red ribbons, is a good 

 plant, if young specimens are used. 



Many beautiful seaweeds have proved to be harmful in the 

 aquarium. Those named above are perfectly safe. Aeration is 

 accomplished by green plants, — so the Ulva is our dependence 

 for oxygen supply. Let the aquarium with its plants have 

 a few days' rest before putting in the animal life. 



Corals, even tropical kinds, live comfortably in the balanced 

 aquarium for years. A cold water species is to be had in Long 

 Island Sound and on the Jersey coast about Long Branch. 



Oysters, mussels and clams live comfortably in the sand 

 and gravel. Sea anemones "blossom," attached to stones 

 and shells; they are among the greatest attractions of the aqua- 

 rium. 



The Tube Worm (Cistenides), in its sandy horn, and Serpula, 

 in its twisted limy tube, do well. The Ship Worm (Teredo), in 

 a fragment of honeycombed wood, thrives in the company above 

 described. 



Botryllus is a coloured, gelatinous mass, with a star-like 



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