A Marine Aquarium 



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these are in outline the better — but they must be quite clean 

 and free from marine growths or incrustation. 



Lastly, a stone jar or bottle, of the largest size obtainable, 

 may be filled with clear sea-water which a boatman will 

 obtain far out from the shore. This is important, as shore 

 water is not sufficiently pure. As in everything connected 

 with this experiment, scrupulous cleanliness must be secured 

 both as regards the bottle and its bung. 



On reaching home, a suitable vessel will have to be found. 

 A large bell glass with a proper support will serve ; or, better 

 still, a large earthern pan glazed inside. 



The shingle should be rinsed in half a pint of the sea-water, 

 which need not be thrown away, but left to clear for subse- 

 quent use. Now place the shingle at the bottom of the 

 vessel, with the larger stones and the plants of Ulva, &c. 

 Pour in about half the quantity of the stock of sea-water, 

 not direct from the large bottle, but gently, by means of a 

 jug, letting the water fall on to a plate or saucer so as not 

 to disturb the bottom. 



Presuming that the water is seen to be bright and clear, 

 the animals may at once be introduced ; but let them first 

 be rinsed in a little sea-water. If the vessel is of glass it 

 must not be placed in front of a window, or, if so placed, the 

 side next the window must be shaded with paper of a blue 

 tint. Light should fall only on the surface of the water, and 

 direct sunshine must be avoided. A window facing north is 

 the most suitable position. In a few days, if all goes well, 

 the remainder of the sea water may be carefully poured into 

 the marine aquarium which we have thus established. If 

 the venture is successful, and if, as the weeks roll on, the sea- 

 anemones remain attached to the stones, with their discs 

 expanded, and the plants remain green and healthy — even 

 though the starfish, and perchance a mussel, may have died — 

 we may add more animals of a similar kind, but of choicer 

 varieties. 



In time we may try a few swimming creatures. A 



