MANAaEMENT OI' THE AQUAEItTM. 53 



Portland cement of tte consistency of cream, and then left to 

 dry. When it is quite dry, it mnst be well soaked before it is 

 put in the aquarium. In constructing the above rookwork, and 

 anything else of the kind, care should of course be taken that 

 all formality of arrangement is avoided. This movable rock- 

 work is very convenient in case a missing animal has to be 

 searched for. Kockwork could be built against the pipes by 

 the help of cement with perhaps better effect, but then it must 

 be a fixture. 



Such a fountain contrivance as this just described I have 

 found a great success, and very little trouble. All that is 

 required is to take the can (0) full of the overflow water 

 every morning, empty it, while standing on a chair, into 

 the tank (A), and return the can to its place under the table. 

 If the fountain is cared for by a lady, the can (C) should be 

 smaller, and perhaps emptied twice a day instead of once. 



Instead of having the supply tank in the room, the 

 fountain may be connected by means of a leaden siphon to 

 the cistern at the top of the house. I have at present a fountain 

 in an aquarium, worked by a siphon connected with an outside 

 cistern, which is a great success, and when once started is no 

 trouble at all. The two pipes — overflow and supply — ■ run 

 through one hole at the bottom of the window-sash. The 

 aquarium, its slate framework covered with cork, stands on the 

 siU of a staircase window, making an interesting ornament. 



A syringe is a useful instrument for supplying oxygen arti- 

 ficially to the water of an aquarium. It may be of glass, or 

 such a one as is commonly found in a greenhouse, and con- 

 structed of metal. To use the syringe, it must first be fiUed 

 with water from the tank, and then, being held at a good height, 

 made forcibly to return the water. This operation should be 

 repeated several times. 



A pair of ordinary kitchen bellows will also do for the purpose 

 of aeration, but it is cliimsy and rather tiring to work. A 

 smaller and more suitable pair may be generally bought at a 

 toy-shop, or can easily be made at home. The wood for the 

 construction of the bellows should be about fin. thick, so that 

 it will not break when they are worked with the necessary force, 



