THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



-.HE increased attractiveness of the 



kind of knowledge to be derived 



from a careful study of Nature, in 



some of the lower and least known 



forms of animal life, is to be very largely 



<y"^ attributed to the means of observation 



"Qy afforded by those miniature conservatories 



4 termed Aquaria. The Aquarium was an 



invention which, offered so many delightful modes 



of recreation, combined with instruction, that the 



possession of such a structure first became a 



fashion, and then almost a rage, insomuch that 



hardly a house could be found without one. The 



interesting course of observation and study opened 



up by these household lakes and oceans, in which 



many forms of aquatic life hitherto undreamed of 



