126 PEESH-WATEE AQUAEIA. 



the air not being more than could be covered with half- 

 a-crown. The Minnows did not die even under these circum- 

 stances, but were . killed by a Water-boatman {Notonecta 

 furcata), which lived in the bottle with them. These fish 

 will live almost equally well in the smallest vessel worthy of 

 the, name of an aquarium, or in the largest tank. They can 

 be caught in nearly every p'ond, river, or stream. They may 

 be taken in a small hand-net, which should be sunk a little 

 way iu the water where these fish are seen swimming about in 

 shoals. In the centre of the net a, piece of bright red braid 

 or cloth should have been tied. When the MLunows, 

 urged by their curiosity, have come in some numbers to 

 examine the gay colour, the net ought to be suddenly raised 

 in the air, and if adroitly done, it will be found to contain 

 not a few captives. Another way to catch the Minnow in the 

 hand-net, is to run it along under the overhanging banks of 

 the stream or pond, or among the weeds (especially if the 

 weather be cold). Sometimes, when I have been hunting for 

 beetles and other insects, the numbers of Minnows which I 

 have unwillingly caught have caused me a considerable loss 

 of time, and I am afraid occasionally some little annoyance ; 

 for before the insects can be secured, the fish must be taken 

 one by one and returned to the water. 



Minnows very soon become tame enough to feed from the 

 fingers. They will live upon vermicelli. It is pleasant to see 

 a small shoal of these active little fish busily picking up 

 their food as it is thrown to them in the aquarium. They 

 will also eat flies, small worms, and pieces of meat. Some- 

 times their boldness and impudence cause them to be quite a 

 nuisance in the tank, for when a portion of food has been 

 carefully dropped in front of some shy-feeding fish, a 

 " cheeky " little Minnow will very likely dash suddenly for- 

 ward and greedily devour that which was meant for his more 

 retiring companion. Minnows are longer-lived than most 

 people imagine them to be. Mr. Jones, of Woolwich, put 

 a few of these fish in the same aquarium with the silver carp 

 before mentioned (p. 112), and thirteen years elapsed before 

 the last of them died. 



