IO THE STUDENTS AQUARIUM. 



kept to and from the reservoir, and the water preserved for the 

 purpose of what it will germinate. The different varieties of 

 fungus and parasites that will come into life will, I am sure, 

 amply repay any one who would take the little trouble neces- 

 sary, and who has the love of nature at heart. 



The starting of an aquarium is really the first and only 

 trouble that one has to overcome, and then to avoid over- 

 stocking the tank, and all will be well : — but too much stress 

 can not be put on the matter of overstocking. It is always the 

 difficulty that new beginners have, — everything they see they 

 want to place in the tank, and the result is failure and disgust. 



After my twenty years experience in Europe and America, 

 I feel justified in writing a few instructions, feeling confident 

 that if they are read carefully success is assured ; and in giving 

 these instructions I shall avoid as much as possible, if not alto- 

 gether, the use of Latin names and technical terms, so that the 

 school-boy may understand the matter and go ahead himself. 



Let us then commence with a Fresh-water Aquarium. We 

 must have something to hold the water ; what shall it be ? As 

 it is for fresh water it matters not what it is made of; but the 

 principal use of an aquarium being that we may study the lives 

 of the inmates, it would be better if we could have one with 

 glass sides and ends. Any tinsmith can make you one out of 

 tin, say about 18 inches long by about 9 inches wide ; this bot- 

 tom piece should have y 2 inch turned down all around, so that 

 it could be fitted on to a piece of board y 2 inch thick, which 

 would prevent any bending from the weight of water, and the 

 wooden bottom must have a beading % inch thick for the glass 

 to rest against. It then wants four corners soldered on, about 

 10 inches high and extending ]/ z inch each way, for fitting your 

 glass into, and a piece of tin about y 2 inch wide for a band at 

 top of the corners. 



The tank is now ready for glazing and decorating. Do 

 your own glazing in the following manner : take 1 ft), of com- 



