CHAPTER XVII. 



RECAPITlJLATIOrl. 



THINK it wise in a very short chapter to recapitu- 

 late, in a rule-like form, some of the suggestions 

 and warnings which I have given in the previous 

 chapters to novices in aquarium matters. 



1. No one should think of keeping an aquarium who does 

 not make up his mind to bestow upon it a little daily attention. 

 This necessary attention wUl involve hardly any trouble. 

 Sometimes all that will be required wUl he just a glance to 

 see that nothing is wrong. As a rule, however, there will 

 be little to do but to supply some of the inhabitants of 

 the tank with a small quantity of food. If the aquarium is 

 attended to at a stated time — such as always before breakfast 

 or before lunch — the giving of this necessary attention will 

 become a habit, and therefore, then, is not likely to be 

 omitted. An aquarium properly arranged and properly 

 looked after is certain to be a source of pleasure and instruc- 

 tion; but if neglected, or only noticed by fits and starts, it 

 is sure to become an eyesore and a nuisance. 



2. An aquarium will run a great risk of being altogether 

 a failure unless it be correctly proportioned; that is, the 

 breadth of the vessel should always be greater than its depth. 

 The strength of the tank ought to be considered before its 

 elegance, though the latter quality should by no meaps be 

 entirely disregarded. 



