text, as an Interesting study and pleasant diversion, apart from any motives 

 bf profit. He has nothing to sell, nothing to conceal, nothing to withhold. 

 It has been his earnest effort to give as complete an insight of the subject 

 as is possible in a book of the present dimensions. He desires to bring 

 statements of facts before the reader in simple, practical and readable form, 

 to incorporate all obtainable accurate information and useful precept in 

 easily understood terms, without enthusiasm; and where possible, impart 

 explanations of the often puzzling phenomena which tend to mislead and 

 discourage both the novice and the expert fancier. 



Though the discussions of Aquarium Societies are unquestionably 

 the best means of acquiring information and of removing difficulties, these 

 are usually not accessible to the masses and are patronized more especially 

 by adepts, novices not realizing that it is inexperience which leads to their 

 many annoyances, and so losing confidence give up a recreation which 

 should only animate to constantly increasing effort. 



It is freely admitted that the herein contained information pertaining 

 to the breeding and care of the goldfish, aquarium hints and kindred 

 subjects, is the consensus of opinion and the recognized best practice of 

 the members of the Aquarium Society of Philadelphia, as elucidated by 

 the discussions and official transactions of the past eight years. The 

 classifications and descriptions of the goldfish breeds and varieties are 

 those recognized as its criterion upon which awards in competitions are 

 made; and the drawings, with but few exceptions, accurate portraits of 

 living fishes owned by members and attested to over their signatures. 

 The classifications of the plants are those of Britton and Brown and other 

 recognized American authorities. 



Written on a flyleaf of a book which was probably the first American 

 publication on the aquarium and its inhabitants is the following memo- 

 randum: — 



August 7, 1858. 



Completed the Aquarium. 

 Stock, 



4 Goldfish 



2 Carp 



I Crawfish 



I Turtle Mit Gott. 



Though much has been learned in the fifty years since the 

 above was written, pertaining to the physiological principals governing 

 aquatic existence, the properly conditioned aquarium, the marvelous toy 

 breeds of the goldfish and other aquarium fishes, there still remains much 

 which is unexplained and which may prevent the aquarium and terrarium 

 becoming as much a feature of almost every household as potted plants, 



