AQUABiniC. 



time tlie account was written, twelve montlis afterwards, was 

 alive and well." 



Don't forget the Minnow from your list of " likely subjects." 

 Although seldom or never found in any other than clear 

 iunning streams, no fish thrives better in tiie still water of the 

 aquarium. Its form is round and slender. The top of the 

 head and back are of a dusky olive-oolour ; the sides of the 

 body pale and mottled; the belly white and silvery, with a 

 tinge of yellow, and sometimes in summer of a bright red 

 colour. After a short residence in the aquarium, the minnow 

 will become exoeedmgly bold and evince a degree of intel- 

 ligence certainly equal to that of the unlucky seal which 

 some time ago was exhibited in Piccadilly, and which, if you 

 could believe its exhibitor, owed its captivity to the mischance 

 of being heard to call its "ma" in the hearing of a wary 

 seal-catcher. There is not the least doubt that the minnow is 

 quite as capable of crying for its mother as the seal ; and if it 

 does not exhibit the facxdty — considering what is likely to come 

 of it — its prudence is certainly commendable. It has no ob- 

 jection, however, so far to betray the depth of its intelligence 

 as to flock to the edge of the tank at the sound of a voice with 

 which it is pleasantly familiar, or take from between the finger 

 and thumb the profiered morsel. 



The Eoach is a pretty enough fish, but from his natura" 

 habit of preferring stiU deep water, and his considerable size, 

 he had better be excluded from the list, unless your aquarium 

 be very large. It may be fotuid in deep and quiet streams. 

 It is a gregarious fish, always swimming in large shoals, and 

 feeding on worms and water-plants. 



The Miller's-thumb, or Still-head, although, on account of its 

 slow skulking disposition, not so well fitted for the aquarium 

 as the more lively species of fish, deserves consideration on 

 account of its curious shape. It may be found in clear brooks 

 and rivers throughout the country. It is about five inches 

 long, with a large, broad, roundish-shaped head ; the giUs are 

 round and beautifully notched, and the rays .of all the fins 

 curiously spotted. Its general colour is brownish black on 

 the back, light brown with black spots on the sides, and white 

 under the belly. It is generally found under loose stones. 

 According to th a author of ''British Fishes," this fish takes 

 its name from the resemblance borne by its head to the thumb 

 of a miller. " The head of the fish, it will be observed, is smooth, 

 broad, and rounded, and is said to resemble exactly the form of 



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