FORM OF THE TANK. 257 



The growth of aquatic plants is still a most im- 

 portant and pleasing feature of our pursuit, and 

 the addition of aquatic animals does not at all 

 detract from the appropriateness of the appellation. 

 Let the word Aquarium then he the one selected to 

 indicate these interesting collections of aquatic ani- 

 mals and plants, distinguishing it as a Freshwater 

 Aquarium, if the contents he fluviatile, or a Marine 

 Aquarium, if it he such as I have made the suhject of 

 the present volume. 



THE TANK. 



Form and Size. — No exact rule can he given for 

 dimensions, hecause so much depends on the room or 

 place for which the Aquarium is intended, and on the 

 taste of the proprietor. I have given in detail [Seep. 

 101, ante) the size of my largest tank, which prohahly 

 is as large as most private persons would care to have. 

 I have two others agreeing with this in all respects, 

 except in dimensions, the smallest heing (in the clear) 

 15 inches long, hy 12 inches wide, and 12 inchea 

 deep. This is a very neat and pretty object for a 

 parlour-table. 



In a window with a recess, the tank may be made 

 to fit the whole breadth ; which has a good efi'ect. 



If a cylindrical form he preferred, it can be obtained 

 without any material hut glass in the construction ; 

 hut there is a limit as to size. I procured from Mr. 

 A. Pellatt's establishment one, of the largest dimen- 

 sions they would undertake to blow for me, viz. 12 

 inches in diameter. If attempted of greater size than 

 this, the risk increases very rapidly ; as they are 



