AQUAKIUM. 



the thumb of a miller. The miller's ear is constantly directed 

 to the noise made by the running-stone in its circular course 

 over the bed-stone, the exact parallelism of their two surfaces, 

 indicated by a particular sound, being a matter of the first con- 

 sequence ; and his hand is as constantly placed under the njeal- 

 spout to ascertain by actual contact the character and quality 

 of the meal produced. The thumb, by a particular movement, 

 spreads the sample over the fingers ; the thumb is the gauge 

 of the value of the produce, and hence the origin of the sayings, 

 ' Worth a miller's thumb,' and ' An honest miller hath a 

 golden thumb,' in reference to the amount of profit that is the 

 reward of his skill. By this incessant action of the miller's 

 thumb a peculiarity in its form is produced which is said to 

 resemble exactly the shape of the head of the fish constantly 

 found in the mill-stream." 



The Colitis, or Loach, is eligible as an inhabitant of the 

 aquaria. In a state of freedom it prefers the running stream, 

 and delights to sport about the banks, but feeds at the bottom. 

 The mouth is furnished with from two to six barbnles. The 

 scales of this fish are exceedingly small, and of a spotted olive- 

 colour. Loaches will thrive well in an aquarium; and, from 

 their restlessness on the approach of rainy weather, become very 

 good barometers. During very hot weather their favourite posi- 

 tion is that of repose — lying on the surface of the water-lilies. 

 The length of the loach is from three to four inches. 



Small Eels look very well in an aquarium ; their sinuous 

 movements, so contrary to the graceful swimming of the pre- 

 viously-named fish, gave a variety to animated scene that is 

 not xmpleasant. 



Besides those here enumerated there are several others, in- 

 cluding the Gudgeon, the Dace, and, while it is young and not 

 yet possessed of its voracious appetite, the Perch. 



Young Progs and Tadpoles are interesting objects for the 

 aquarium, only you had better string your nerves for the 

 appalling sight of one of the larger animals ferociously chasing 

 the poor httle mite and gobbling it up before your eyes. Much 

 interesting matter has been written respecting the birth and 

 infancy of this well-known Batraohian. Some time in the 

 month of March the frog deposits its spawn, consisting of a 

 mass of gelatinous matter somewhat resembUng size used by 

 house-painters, and in which are embedded the eggs. Within 

 four or five weeks the little tadpoles break from the eggs, and 

 may be seen shifting and T-io^ng nt!ea.«il7, and finally they eat 



