14. 



THE FAMILY AQUARIUM. 



preserves and supports both classes of existences ; while, 

 with an excess or deficit of either, disorganization and 

 death ensues. The lower species of life, besides, play the 

 important, though subordinate role of scavengers in that 

 curious cosmos, the Aquarium. Some of them devour as 

 food the feculence of the fish, etc., and some the decayed 

 particles of the plants, while the two kind spawn, prolifi- 

 cally, a banquet for their piscinal associates. 



The great principle of the Aquarium was faintly indi- 

 cated by Priestley, as long ago as the close of the last 

 century. Ingelhauss approached it more closely in 

 1778-9. Daubeny touched its verge in 1833. Ward, in 

 1837, suggested it with some distinctness. Dr. Johnston 

 partially demonstrated it in 1842. Dr. Lankester, in 

 1849, and Warrington, in 1850, rendered it conclusive ; 

 but Gosse, in 1852, perfected all the labors of his prede- 

 cessors in a series of decisive experiments that left no 

 room for doubt or contradiction. 



An Aquarium had, also, about this time, established 

 itself, by accident, at Hampton Court, England, and was 

 described by Mr. Jesse. In a water tank, in the open air, 

 plants and snails made themselves unbidden confreres 

 with the fish. Nature did the rest, as she does in those 

 more gigantic Aquaria, the placid lake and the majestic 

 river. 



Next followed the grand Aquaria of London and Dub- 

 lin under regal auspices. These were sumptuous exhibi- 

 tions ; and in a short time created such a popular 



