572 GEEENHOtlSB MANAGEMENT. 



AQUARIUMS. 



As an adjunct to the other floral decorations of the 

 living room, these extremely interesting, ornaments 

 should not be overlooked. They can be stocked with 

 foliage and flowering plants, fish, snails, and other ani- 

 mals, and with very little attention will be found 

 extremely attractive. 



The aquarium itself should be of some simple, yet 

 tasteful design, and its beauty will be enhanced if its 

 sides are of glass ; while the framework may be of wood, 

 it is preferably made of iron, with a slate bottom. In 

 filling it, clean fine sand should be placed in the bottom 

 and covered with a layer of gravel, over which ornamen- 

 tal shells, stones, etc., should be strewn. In the 

 center, arches should be constructed of slag, or coral 

 rocks. Of plants, for purifying the water, the Sagittari^ 

 natans and Anacharis Canadensis are highly esteemed, 

 although eel grass and parrot feather {Myrsiophyllum 

 asparagoides) are valuable. The stems of these can be 

 imbedded in the sand, and they will readily take root. 

 Other plants in pots, such as callas and cyperus, can 

 also be used in large aquariums. 



In addition to small minnows, gold fish, stickle- 

 backs and other fish, various kinds of snails, and if 

 desired, lizards, frogs, etc., can be added. As soon 

 as the plants have been arranged, the aquarium should 

 be supplied nearly full of pure fresh water, and the animals 

 added. In locating an aquarium, while it is desirable 

 that it be where it can have sun for a short time each 

 day, very much of the direct sunlight should be avoided, 

 as it is injurious to the fish, as the water will soon fill 

 with a green scum. 



Aquariums need but very little care, as, if the glass 

 is wiped off every week or two, using a swab at the end 

 of a stick, and the contents taken out and the tank thor- 



