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Chapter Twelve 



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The terrarium has not as yet aroused any marked degree of interest 

 in America, but as we have followed Europe in the cultivation of exotic 

 fishes, it is not unlikely that we shall yet follow their study of exotic 

 amphibians and other inhabitants of the terrarium and aqua-terrarium. 

 Certainly the subject can be made one of absorbing interest, offering 

 special attractions to those fond of making their own collections. Un- 

 fortunately, even in Europe, the terrarium itself has not been de- 

 veloped into a thing of beauty. Most of the numerous designs shown 

 for sale are stiff and clumsy-looking, but this may be largely over- 

 come by artistic planting. Undoubtedly there is still plenty of room 

 for individuality of treatment which would give one more the feeling 

 of a bit of Nature transplanted to the home rather than a miniature 

 prison. 



The variety of animals which may be kept is extremely large and 

 many of them are of distinctly attractive appearance, even to the novice 

 or outsider. Those of us who have learned to admire the telescope 

 goldfish should suspend judgment on some of the apparently less attrac- 

 tive specimens in the terrarium, for it may be that both standards operate 

 on the same general principle, that is, the more hideous, the more 

 attractive! 



Aside from the matter of beauty there is a wonderful range for 

 observation, study and original research in the terrarium. In looking over 

 the European catalogs one is struck with the large number of lizards, 

 frogs, newts, turtles, reptiles, etc., which are exported from North 

 America. It will be seen therefore that we do not have to leave our own 

 shore to obtain good collections. 



Terraria are divided into four natural divisions, according to the 

 needs of their occupants: dry-temperate, dry-tropical, moist-temperate, 

 and moist-tropical. The differences in these will readily suggest them- 

 selves to the mind, being matters mainly of ventilation, moisture and 



