CHAPTER IT. 



VKSSF.I.S FOB AQUARIA. 



Form of Vessel— Dimensions— Quantity of Stock to be Introduced— Minnows attack § 

 Hermit-crabs— Overstocking- Balance Of Nature — Materials for Tanks— Wood- I 

 Zinc— Iron— The bottom of the Vessel — Proportions— Octagon Tank— Circular I 

 Form— The Beginner's Tank— Breeding Jars— Covering the Tank— Ground Glass- $ 

 Hock-pools— Mr. Warrington's Tank— Cement. 



The vessel which we are about to turn into an Aquarium ' 

 may be of any size or shape, though those with flat glass-;: 

 skies are preferable, as they do not distort the vision, while 

 vessels that have curved sides do : and in them, from the 

 unequal refraction and the form of the vessel, objects are. 

 magnified and distorted in outline. As to dimensions best. 

 suited for a parlor Aquarium, I should recommend one 

 containing from eight to twelve gallons for marine, and 

 from two to twelve gallons for fresh water. 



A tank that holds eight gallons will, however, be found 

 the most convenient for either fresh-water or marine collec- 

 tions. J have several of this size in operation, in which I 

 keep the following animals : In the first, which is a marine 

 tank, I have three or four Actinia*, about a dozen whelks, 

 two or three univalve-molluscs (picked up on the shore at 

 the same time), four or five minnows, one or two crabs 

 of the genus Lvpa, and sufficient vegetation in the shape 



