THE TANK. 



27 



impart to the water a deleterious property, or the fate of 

 the Aquarium, so far as its living qualities are concerned, 

 will be inevitable. 



These points remembered, let us examine the propor- 

 tions which experience points out as the most serviceable 

 for a tank, under ordinary circumstances. We have tried 

 almost every imaginable variety, to arrive at a sound 

 practical species of knowledge on this subject. We have 

 had them under investigation when quite small, and tested 

 them when of as great magnitude as we yet have the 

 means, either in Europe or America, of manufacturing 

 them. Our settled conviction is that the following pro- 

 portions, other things being equal, afford the most desirable 

 tanks, viz : 



18 in. long, by 13 wide, and 13 in. height. 

 30 in. " 18 18 in. 



48 in. 24 24 in. " 



The more closely these proportions are adhered to, the 

 more perfect, we conceive, will be the Aquarium in all 

 those more important peculiarities which go to constitute 

 its excellence. 



A cover will be required for the tank in order to keep 

 some of the more active denizens of the miniature lake or 

 sea from leaping out of their limited homes in a moment 

 of discontent, or while in sportive playfulness pursuing 

 each other, absorbed perhaps in the profound minutise of 

 a game of tag," or carried away with the excitement of 



