CHAPTER IV. 



PLANTS— THEIR NATURE AND PHENOMENA. 

 STOCKING THE TANK. 



stock," signifies to associate in a tank those 

 living things which, when arranged in the just 

 proportion that enables each to contribute suf- 

 ficiently to the support of the other, constitute an Aqua- 

 rium. Stocking " a tank is, therefore, the placing in it 

 of appropriate plants, fish, reptiles, insects, etc. 



It will strike the most careless observer that a fresh- 

 water Aquarium and a salt-water (or marine) Aquarium, 

 cannot be " stocked" at all in a similar manner. 



Vegetable life takes precedence in stocking an Aqua- 

 rium. Your plants should be deposited and suffered to 

 remain in the tank at least a week before it may be 

 deemed prudent to supply the necessary amount of animal 

 existence. Some may die from transplantation. The 

 tank must be carefully watched for indications of such a 

 calamity, and every dead leaf, branch, root, etc., must be 

 ejected as soon as discovered. Placed in a good strong 

 light, each plant will rapidly develop its intention in this 



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