24: 



THE FAMILY AQUAEIUM. 



beautiful array of marine vegetation and animal existence 

 which time, taste, skill and experience, have nicely 

 adapted to each other's association, rendered reciprocally 

 supporting, and converted as it were into a natural 

 Happy Family." 



We conceive that a square, or oblong form is, under 

 all the circumstances, infinitely preferable to any other, 

 for a perfect tank. The more angles presented, the more 

 confused will be the picture afforded the eye by the 

 Aquarium, and this confusion embarrasses, annoys and 

 sometimes quite destroys, the enjoyment of its contempla- 

 tion. The rectangular shape is decidedly the most ele- 

 gant. It is, also, the simplest and the strongest. It is 

 the best adapted to impart satisfaction, and involves the 

 least expenditure, as well as the least risk. We would 

 also suggest the propriety of making a revolving top to 

 the stand on which the tank is to be secured, as it facili- 

 tates the examination of the Aquarium on all sides, with- 

 out subjecting the observer to the necessity of going 

 round it. The top of a piano stool affords a good exam- 

 ple. The. sides of the tank should be constructed of 

 plate glass, of sufficient thickness to sustain, agreeably to 

 the size of the tank, the pressure of the water. The ends 

 and bottom should be made of marble or slate. There 

 are those who conceive that the back should be of the 

 same material, in order to exclude the superfluous light. 

 But this notion we look upon as slightly fantastic. With 

 the front and back of glass, we have the animated embel- 



