68 J. H. MAIDEN. 



and would like to add a marine aquarium to its other 

 attractions, and no doubt means would be devised of co- 

 ordinating a Marine Biological Laboratory to it. Such an 

 institution would doubtless be affiliated to the University. 

 Since a Marine Aquarium would chiefly rely upon its 

 zoological side for its attractiveness, I, as a representative 

 of botanical interests, cheerfully surrender this educational 

 feature to the Zoological Garden, but put in a claim for a 

 Fresh-water Aquarium (for plants, not for animals) to be 

 erected within the precints of the Botanic Gardens. I 

 contemplate the erection of an oblong building, in harmony 

 with its surroundings, well ventilated, and not artificially 

 heated. All round the building and along the centre, 

 should be staging for the support of glass tanks, each 

 containing one species of aquatic plant, and I know my 

 zoological friends will not think me encroaching on their 

 domain, if in each tank should be placed a few snails 

 and fish, since the presence of such animals is necessary 

 for the healthy growth of plants. The Aquarium Society 

 of New South Wales, which is doing useful work in regard 

 to aquatic plants (and in other directions), would welcome 

 this Aquarium as a means of diffusing information among 

 the people, while, since aquaria are so beautiful, and so 

 fascinatingly interesting, a fresh-water aquarium would be 

 popular from the very day of its opening. With the devel- 

 opment of Nature Study in the Public Schools it is absolutely 

 necessary to both teachers and scholars. I have been 

 cultivating New South Wales plants in glass tanks for 

 several years, but have no convenience for Staging them, 

 and so accidents happen to them, while display of them to 

 the public is out of the question. 



7. Proposal for a Horticultural Hall, — If a man desires 

 to see exhibits pertaining to horticulture other than the 

 plants themselves, he has to pick up the information the 

 best way he can. He will certainly see some exhibits if 



