62 



THE FAMILY AQUAEIUM. 



Aquarium. The common kind, obtained in open ponds, 

 are the best for the purpose. They are not so prolific as 

 others, but they are more beautiful, far more hardy, and 

 are not so liable to be destroyed by changes of tempera- 

 ture. In a house, however, the most delicate of these 

 Carp, for they belong to that family, may be kept for 

 years with a little attention. 



There is an infinite variety of the goldfish ( Cy;prinus 

 aureus). In China, whence they originally came 150 to 

 200 years ago, they are raised by those who pursue it as 

 a business, and the breeds are crossed to produce in them 

 fantastic colors and habits. They exhibit some with 

 streaked markings resembling Chinese letters ; some that 

 are white as paper, with pearly-pink splashes on the body, 

 and curious markings about the head and tail ; some that 

 are a rich scarlet, shading to black on the back, in the 

 midst of which is a white cross, with two transverse 

 bands ; some that are a flesh-color ; some covered with 

 crimson spots bordered with blue ; some of a deep carmine 

 color, and shaped like an egg ; some with a drooping, 

 fringe-like, ruby tail ; some, in short, of all conceivable 

 hues and combinations. As a matter of recherche taste, 

 any of these may be placed, when met with, in the tank, 

 bince their natures are much the same ; but they can be 

 had sufficiently handsome at much less cost and with less 

 anxiety. 



The Stickleback ( G^a5^£rc5^62/.5), the Minnow (Zez^aV 

 cus phozinus)j and the GuDGf:oN {Gohio fluvialis)^ are 



