THE CHAKACTERISTICS OF AN AQUARIUM. 11 



his nature. The telescope is our substitute in the bhie 

 empyrean," and we measure orbs, weigh out their sub- 

 stance, and compute their revolutions, if we cannot touch 

 them. In the world of waters" what is the resource of 

 philosophy ? The microscope reveals to us much that is 

 sublime, beautiful, and profoundly interesting. It has 

 remained for the wondrous Aquarium to do more. That 

 extraordinary combination of science and art may be 

 called the crowning glory of the spirit of discovery char- 

 acteristic of the nineteenth century. It opens to our 

 inquisitive gaze the hidden chambers of the deep. If it 

 does not actually place us where our foot-prints may be 

 seen among the jewelled corridors, the many-pillared halls, 

 the shining temples, the pebbled grottoes, the incompar- 

 able gardens w^here timers ravages are unknown and 

 eternity seems stamped on all that is matchless in its 

 grandeur, it gives us, at least, a faithful copy, in little, of 

 those enchanting sdenes, for our leisurely perusal and 

 admiration. It presents us with a miniature fac-simile 

 of the fascinating reality in its exquisite colors, and replete 

 with its inexplicable revelations. It exhibits, in other 

 words, LIFE BELOW THE BILLOWS in all its surprising shapes, 

 and amid all its amazing phenomena. The imperishable 

 rocks are there in their peerless dyes of multi-tinted 

 verdure. And there, for us to ponder on in rapt delight, 

 are the flowers whose countless hues beggar the most 

 fantastic pictures gotten up by an extravagant fancy. 

 The miraculous zoophytes, half animal and half plant, 



