14 



THE STUDENTS AQUARIUM. 



I am aware that some claim one variety will supply more oxy- 

 gen than another. My experience is that all true aquatic plants 

 will do the work required of them, and that in different locali- 

 ties we find different varieties, so get as many different kinds 

 as you can find and tie them together in bunches of say from 

 3 to 10 slips in each bunch ; from 3 to 6 bunches will be enough 

 for the tank, according to the size of the bunches ; then tie a 

 stone or shell to the bottom of the bunches and they are ready 

 for the tank. This work can be done, and perhaps it is better 

 to do it, previous to putting the water in the aquarium. When 

 you put the plants in the water, try and cover the stone or shell 

 to which you have them attached with the sand and gravel that 

 is in the bottom of the tank. While on the subject of plants it 

 is well to know that a Calla Lily will make a pretty ornament 

 to your aquarium. You can in building the rock work men- 

 tioned before, take and work into it a flower pot, — by covering 

 it over with your mixture of Portland cement it will match the 

 rest of the work, — put the lily not quite to the bottom of the 

 pot, fill the pot two-thirds full of earth and fill up with gravel. 

 The water should not reach more than ^ the height of the lily 

 out of water, and you will find it thrive and do well. If your 

 rock work comes within say 3 inches of the top of the water, 

 you can tie to it a Stag-horn Fern. Any florist will provide you 

 with one and show you how it should be bound on in order 

 that it may adhere to the rock. Of course these suggestions 

 are of no practical value outside of their ornamental uses. 



We are now ready to get and put in our live stock, — but 

 before doing so, let me tell you under no circumstances to take 

 hold of with your hands anything that you desire to keep in 

 good health. Always use a small net ; if you cannot make one 

 you can buy one for a few cents. If you do not handle your 

 captives yourself you will allow no one to do so. I have had 

 parties who deal in fancy fish for aquarias tell me it will not 

 hurt the fish, but I never take them when thus handled. I have 



