112 
STOVE AQUARIUMS. 
ence, and impart an unfavourable opinion of them, is the indifference of cultivators 
to a natural phenomenon which cannot be overlooked with impunity. It is well 
known that water is always much colder than the air in hot summer weather, and 
that to whatever extent we may inclose and heat a volume of air artificially, a 
body of water within the same area will maintain its heat relatively below that of 
the atmosphere, as it would in the external air. Now, assuming that stove 
aquatics require as high a temperature (or nearly so) as stove shrubs, it is plain 
that this is not furnished by the ordinary methods of heating, and that a cistern or 
aquarium must have a purely independent supply of heat, or rather, be traversed 
by pipes connected with the general apparatus, before it can be fitted for cultivating 
aquatic plants to perfection. 
What is thus argued from a reference to familiar natural laws, is fully 
demonstrated by observation and practice. In the two or three aquariums which 
have been formed beneath our notice, wherein those natural principles were duly 
regarded, the issue has been truly extraordinary. Plants that ordinarily wear a 
starved, sickly, and meagre aspect, have put on the appearance of the most 
vigorous health ; flowers, which before no management could elicit, have become 
not only profuse, but of a comparatively gigantic size ; and a feature of the most 
striking and sterling beauty has been added to the house. As an illustration of 
this, we may refer to a noble plant of Nymphcea cocrulea , which last year adorned 
Mrs. Lawrence’s tasteful aquarium at Ealing Park. Of the loveliness of the 
species, it would be superfluous to give any description, but literally nothing is 
known of its beauty by growing it in a confined cistern. The specimen in question 
was apparently quite a young one, and far from being large ; it had also been 
merely a short time planted, and could not be supposed to have attained its 
wonted luxuriance. Nevertheless, the leaves and flowers were, we believe, finer, 
and of greater dimensions, than we have ever seen those of N. alba. 
We will not pursue this topic further at present, than to recommend that no 
aquarium be in future constructed without having two or more hot- water pipes to 
pass through the water, about half-way between the surface and the bottom. The 
basin may be of any form which will best agree with the plan of the house. It 
should, however, be as near as practicable to the centre of the structure, for the 
sake of symmetry and effect ; while a circular, oval, or any proximate figure is 
the most beautiful ; but if the extent be great, these must not be admitted, since it 
is requisite that all parts of it can be easily reached. Slate or stone are in all 
respects preferable for composing it to stuccoed bricks ; and where the design and 
dimensions will at all admit of it, the basin ought to be raised two or three feet 
above the floor of the house, that the plants may be brought into closer proximity 
to light, which is of essential service. Failure will undoubtedly be experienced to 
a greater or less degree, if care be not taken to supply the cistern with water from 
a pond, river, or other exposed spot where it can be obtained soft , and not from a 
spring. 
