CHAPTER III. 



THE CABINET AQXJARIUM. 



JN arrangement called the "cabinet aqnarinm" is ex- 

 ceedingly interesting and instructive. It consists of 

 a kind of backless bookcase, upon the shelves of 

 which are placed small aquaria containing such aquatic 

 plants and animals as are unsuitable, owing to various 

 reasons, for the general tank. These shelves should be strong, 

 and so constructed that they wUl - stand quite firmly. They 

 may be made of almost any kind of wood, and in either 

 a plain or an ornamental manner, as the taste of the 

 aquarium-keeper may dictate or his purse allow. They may 

 also be constructed to stand upon the floor, or upon a table. 

 Care should be taken, however, that the shelves are at 

 difEerent distances apart, the greatest space being between 

 the first two shelves, counting from the bottom. Shelves 

 thus aiTanged wUl hold vessels of various sizes. 



The most suitable position for the cabinet aquarium is 

 about 6ft. from a window, and out of reach of the direct rays 

 of the Sim. Then, if the stand has been wisely built, the 

 contents of the aquaria can be easily watched without any 

 inconvenience. 



No shelf should be so low as to occasion stooping on the 

 part of the aquarium-keeper, or so high as to necessitate his 

 standing upon a chair or stool. If the stand is required to 

 hold very many vessels, it should be long rather than too 



