88 



THE FAMILY AQUARIUM. 



you will next proceed, as directed in chapter fifth, to 

 supply the latter by installments. This effected, and the 

 usual care exercised, the tank will be prepared in about a 

 week for its share of vegetable existence — since, in the 

 water, as on earth, animal life must always be preceded 

 by that copious organization of subordinate being, which, 

 comparatively insignificant as may seem its pretensions, 

 enacts so important a part in the physical economy of 

 nature. 



Marine Plants. — In this department of service, we are 

 afraid that we shall have to affect an air of erudition we 

 should much prefer, if possible, to avoid, for the sake of 

 more readily reaching the understanding of the unlettered. 

 On land, and about fresh-water streams, we have com- 

 mon or popular names for almost every object, in addition 

 to those titles bestowed on them by science, for the purpose 

 of facilitating their classification. The ocean flowers have 

 much escaped this species of familiarity. For . ages born 

 to blush unseen," they are only, in the present era, becom- 

 ing the subjects of vulgar manipulation and admiration. 

 They stand, with few exceptions, therefore, nameless in 

 our vernacular tongue; and we are compelled to introduce 

 them in those classic terms by which they are recognized 

 in every country, no matter what its local speech or native 

 diction. 



The following list of names will be found to embrace the 

 names of such as have been tried in the marine Aquarium, 

 and discovered more or less satisfactory. We arrange 



