72 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
ever, have the habit of biting and tearing the plants from a spirit of 
mischief, very much like the restless horse that gnaws its crib. 
This destruction of the plants can be obviated by placing in the 
aquarium such varieties as the fish objects to, for it is a fact that they 
manifest a liking for one kind and a repugnance to another. 
The roots of the plants are imbedded in the sand, and bits of 
rock or pebbles placed around them to retain the plant in place, so 
that it will not be shifted about in the water. The vessel is then 
filled with ‘“‘pure drinking water” to within a couple of inches of 
the top (See illustration); the water, if not fit to drink, can not be 
fit to be put in the aquarium, so that it is very essential that it be of 
prime quality. 
When the water is in, one or two frog-tadpoles and a couple or 
more of pond snails are put in for the purpose of consuming any 
decaying vegetable matter that may appear, and to keep down as 
much as possible the growth of conferve; the number of tad- 
poles and snails must be determined by the size of the vessel and 
the rapidity of growth of the alge, etc. 
When all these preparations have been made, add a pinch of 
table salt, and the aquarium is ready to receive the fish. 
Before they are put into it, however, the temperature of the 
water in the vessel in which the fish are brought must be equal with 
that in the aquarium. This is easily accomplished, and does not 
subject the fish to any risks that would either make them sick or be 
fatal to their lives. 
When the temperature has been equalized, the fish are gently 
introduced to their future home, taking care that they are not 
plunged in so roughly that they become frightened. ‘This perform- 
ance may, under some circumstances, consume an hour’s time, 
when, for instance, the fish have been carried a distance during 
severely cold weather, as then the changing of them from the 
