The Aquarium 21 



the first planting should not be made too 

 dense. 



The plants in the aquarium serve a double 

 purpose, — that of beautification on the one 

 hand, and on the other the performance of 

 certain very important physical functions. 

 As ornaments they compare favorably with 

 the most delicate foliage-plants of our con- 

 servatories and flower windows. Exceed- 

 ingly graceful, of the most tender green, 

 frequently shadowed with purplish or pink 

 tints, varied in form, foliage and blossom, 

 they more than repay the little care required 

 for their cultivation. The delicate, almost 

 hairlike growth found on many of the 

 aquatic plants is one of their most desirable 

 as well as their most peculiar characteristics, 

 since it is elsewhere to be observed only on 

 some mosses, ferns and a very limited num- 

 ber of other land plants. 



Aquatic plants collected from streams, 

 ditches and other localities, should not be 

 transferred to the aquarium without having 



