382 TEE ZOOLOGIST. 



THE AMSTERDAM AQUARIUM. 



By Graham Renshaw, M.B. 



(Plate VI.) 



Few of the zoological collections of the Continent are so 

 interesting as the valuable series of living creatures exhibited 

 in the Gardens of the Society " Natura Artis Magistra " at 

 Amsterdam. Founded in 1837, the grounds have been repeat- 

 edly extended, until at last the final addition granted by the 

 Municipal Council in 1877 completed the great enterprise. 

 The land was ceded to the Society on condition that it should 

 be used as the site of an aquarium, in which higher zoological 

 teaching should be given partly at the expense of the Society. 

 The splendid building which was duly erected will bear com- 

 parison with any rival institution. It was opened on December 

 2nd, 1882. An attempt is made in this paper to describe its 

 contents as they appeared at the time of my visit, although 

 to be fully appreciated this fine aquarium requires personal 

 inspection. 



On ascending the broad marble staircase the visitor enters a 

 spacious hall, which, instead of being decorated with paintings, 

 has its walls pierced by the plate-glass windows which form 

 the fronts of the' various tanks. On one side are ranged the 

 marine exhibits, while the other is devoted to the fresh-water 

 series. 



Commencing with the salt-water fish, the first tank was very 

 fully stocked with Blennies (Zoarces viviparus), quaint fish 

 somewhat resembling the Loach of British streams. These odd 

 creatures, of all sizes and ages, lay on the sand of their tank 

 in palpitating crowds, or crept over the rocks in a most uncanny 

 fashion, their long compressed bodies recalling the tails of Efts 

 or Salamanders. The odd expressionless faces of these Blennies 

 were very comical as they stolidly stared unwinkingly through 

 the glass. 



