TERRARIA 169 



Quite artistic effects can be obtained in the arrangement and planting 

 of the terrarium and the aqua-terrarium. Natural bridges, lakes, water- 

 falls, archways, ledges, hollows, cliffs, caves and other details may be 

 used to good purpose, but care should be exercised not to combine the 

 incongruous nor introduce objects out of keeping with the general 

 scheme. Stones cemented together are capable of good pictorial effects. 

 For moist terraria, pumice or other porous stone will be found useful, 

 as it retains so much moisture and makes a good foothold for ferns and 

 creeping plants. 



An aqua-terrarium constructed for pictorial effect is made in the 

 form of an ordinary aquarium with terrestrial plants arranged in the rear 

 corners, thus giving the effect of a complete bit of landscape. The great 

 possibilities of this treatment are shown in the illustration on page 

 163. This has the earth in slate containers reaching all the way to the 

 bottom, but in a form devised later the soil is in cement pans 6 inches 

 deep which are hung by hooks on the top edge of the aquarium proper, 

 thus giving more light at the bottom of the aquarium. 



Swamp aquaria have received little attention, although they can be 

 made very picturesque, as will be seen in Fig. 157. 



Plants. Most of the plants flourishing in greenhouses will prosper 

 in the moist terrarium, so that the selection is very large. The dry 

 terrarium is much more limited in this respect, the possibilities being 

 confined practically to cacti, agaves, aloes, houseleeks and certain hardy 

 ferns which have come from dry situations. 



Planting. The main point in planting the terrarium is to procure 

 proper drainage by the use of pebbles or broken charcoal. Plants can be 

 set either directly in soil above the pebbles or in pots. Fertilizer may be 

 used in the lower part of soil, but very sparingly in moist terraria. In 

 planting it is well to keep in mind the natural surroundings of the animals 

 and to provide, so far as possible, those conditions which are agreeable to 

 their natures. For instance, the reptiles like to sun themselves in open, 

 dry spots, and in planting for them this can easily be arranged. Amphib- 

 ious animals like to secrete themselves and hide from the light at times 

 in thick vegetation, a provision easily made in the moist terrarium. These 

 same considerations will present themselves when it comes to selecting a 

 place for the terrarium. The snakes delight to sun themselves for hours, 

 so in planting it is well to use only such plants that will stand plenty of 

 direct sunlight. Terraria have one important advantage over aquaria in 

 that at least the smaller sizes may be shifted from one place to another 

 with very little effort, so that light conditions may be changed at will and 

 hours of sunshine increased as opportunity offers. 



