VUl. PBEFACE. 



to a definite object; — my own Experience in collecting 

 animals and plants, with. Instructions founded thereon ; — 

 copious Details of the peculiar habits and instincts of such 

 species as I have observed in confinement ; — Sketches of 

 scenery, of local customs and manners, and of personal 

 adventure, made during the prosecution of the employ- 

 ment ; and, finally, an arranged chapter of Directions for 

 the construction, preparation, stocking, and maintenance 

 of a Marine Aquarium. 



The Plates which illustrate this volume are its principal 

 peculiarity. I have endeavoured, — in a manner hitherto, 

 I believe, unattempted,— to represent marine animals, 

 with their beauty of form and brilliance of colour, in their 

 proper haunts, surrounded by sub-marine rocks and ele- 

 gant sea-weeds, as these appear when transferred to an 

 Aquarium. They have been printed from stone by Messrs. 

 Hantart, who have not spared all the resources of that 

 beautiful art of which they are the acknowledged masters, 

 in reproducing my original drawings. 



The wood-engravings are by Messrs. Whymper, and 

 represent the Coast-scenery in the vicinity of Weymouth. 



P. H. G. 

 London: April, 1854. 



