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CHAPTER TII. 



AQUARIUMS AXD FERNERIES. 

 The Aq'^uriuni is one of the most elegant and instructive of par- 

 lorornament s. In this we can have specimens of the animal vegeta- 

 ble and the mineral kingdoms as interesting as Barnum's Happy 

 Family. The form of the tank or vase is immaterial, so no great 

 expense need necessarily be incurred in that direction. The 

 familiar fish globe Is freuquently used. To the party to whom 

 expense is no object, the most attractive and useful vessels are those 

 of rectangular form, as a plainer view of the contents can be 

 obtained through a plain than through a curved glass. The frame 

 work of the tank may be cast iron or wood, well seasoned ; the 

 sides and ends filled ^Yith glass. Most of our floral stores keep 

 on hand a variety of Aquariums, ranging in price from two dollars 

 to fifty dollars. No doubt the florist with whom you deal can sup. 

 ply you or refer you to some dealer in Aquaria and Ornaments for 

 the same. 



FuRXISHI^'G THE AQUARIUM, Having selected your vessel 

 the next thing in order is to prepare it for the reception of its 

 intended occupants. In this matter we can only give the reader 

 some "hints," in a general way leaving it to the fancy of the 

 individual to decide what is the most suitable and ornamental for 

 the tank that is to be furnished. It will require considerable 

 artistic ability to furnish an Aquarium in such a way as to be 

 pleasing and satisfactory. Let us remember that the highest 

 degree of art is but an imitation of nature, and the more natural 

 an object is, the moi-e pleasing : so with bur artistic skill, let us 

 see bow nearly we can imitate natuie in furnishing our Aquarinm* 

 Rockwork will be found indispensable in small Aquariums ; a 

 few rugged stones of different sizes, shapes, etc., of sufficient va- 

 riety to form a contrast, yet all to harmonize, Is perhaps all that 

 can be used to advantage. 



In larger tanks a very pretty effect may 1)6 produced by build- 

 ing the rockwork above the surface of the vrater leaving plenty 

 of cavities in which to grow Aquatic plants. Coarse sand or sifted 

 pebbles may be used to cover the bottom of the acquarium, they 

 should be thoroughly cleansed in order to free them from any 



