FRESH-WATER AQUARIA. 



CHAPTER I. 



TflE AQIJARIIJM. 



EW things are more interesting and less troublesome 

 than a well cared-for aqjiarium. It makes no litter 

 to annoy the tidy honsewife, and no noise to distract 

 the student. Besides, if properly arranged, it is very orna- 

 mental. The aquarium also is exceedingly useful to the 

 naturalist in the prosecution of his studies ; and by its help 

 the botanist can conveniently observe aquatic plants as they 

 pass through the various stages of their existence. 



Those who intend to keep an aquarium must remember 

 that though few things are less troublesome, stiU it does 

 require a little care, and that little care should be given 

 regularly and daily. A few minutes at a time will suffice 

 — just long enough to feed the fish, to see that there is no 

 death and no decay, to notice that the light has not been so 

 strong as to cause the confervas to grow too rapidly, and to 

 take care that the representatives of the Animal Kingdom do 

 not exceed the proper proportion according to the amount of 

 weed provided. The reason for this is that the fish inspire 

 the oxygen held in solution by the water, and expire carbonic- 

 acid gas. The plants, by respiration, consume the carbonic- 



