AQDAIirDM. 



plant dies away in the winter j but during the autumn a series 

 of small cones are formed attached to stalks proceeding from 

 the parent plant ; these, in due time, are detached, and float 

 on the surface ; but, on the approach of wiuter, gradually sink. 

 At the approach of spring they gradually unfold themselves, 

 and in a few days assume the shape of the perfect plant. 



To the above list might be added brook-hme (its sky-blue 

 flowers are extremely pretty), the water-violet, the horse-pond 

 weed, the water-starwort, and many others. 



Assuming that you have prepared the soil within the tani, and 

 set in it the roots of such plants as you most admire, you may- 

 next put in the water ; and, simple as the operation may seem, 

 unless it be managed with care, you may have all your planting 

 to do over again, the sand will yield to the influence of the water, 

 and you wiQ be edified by the sight of a hotch-potch of sandy 

 water, in which are floating your carefully-sown weeds. This 

 will happen if you dash the water in suddenly, which, of course, 

 after this caution you will not do. The best way is to stand a 

 basiu at the bottom, and gently brim it over with water till the 

 tank is filled to the basiu's edge. After this as much more 

 water as reqiiired may be added with impxmity. After yoa 

 have waited a day or so, that the plants may properly aerate the 

 water, you may introduce your "live stock." Here, again, 

 you must use discrimination, and by no means take it for 

 granted that because a fish is very small and very lively that 

 it is "just the thing" for your aquarium. For instance, 

 there is the stickleback, of which Dr. Lankester discourses so 

 pleasantly. " Whether," says the Doctor, " we regard his high 

 organization, his courageous nature, his domestic habits, his 

 varied instincts, his power of living iu all waters, at all tem- 

 peratures, he is fairly entitled to take the first place among 

 fishes, and rank high in the animal scale. And where is this 

 wonderful fish to be got ? The nearest pool, pond, or ditch 

 that has life in it is sure to have sticklebacks. Take a walk on 

 the nearest road out of any country town, and the chances are 

 that the first boy you meet with a blacking-bottle or pickle-jar 

 in his hand has got sticklebacks in it. You need not catch 

 them yourself, a penny will buy you a score of them from these 



urchins He has all the ways of other fishes, and 



many others besides. Look into your tank ; see, there is one 

 larger than the rest ; he is clothed in a coat of mail like a 

 knight of old, and it is resplendent with purple and gold. 

 He is a male fish, and the kiug of your little shoal. He has 



776 



