96 
THE SALT-WATER AQUARIUM, 
HOW TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PLANTS, ETC. 
The aquarium being thoroughly cleansed and clear, the next thing is to 
prepare the ground or bottom of the miniature sea. Sand and pebbles, to 
the depth of about four inches, must first be introduced. Rock work must 
now be introduced—either artificial material, such as is used for the border- 
ings of gardens, or pieces of natural rock, collected on the sea-shore. A 
great deal of the appearance of the aquarium, when finished, will depend 
upon the manner in which these pieces of rock are distributed and arranged. 
They should form natural caves, in which the animals may conceal them¬ 
selves at pleasure, and jutting promontories, one or more extending above 
the water. These rocks should be firmly fixed, by propping them up with 
sand and pebbles, scooped away around their bases. No pains should be 
spared to make the arrangement of rock and water as picturesque as pos¬ 
sible, as, once completed, it cannot be again interfered with. In some aqua¬ 
ria, this layer of sand and pebbles is dispensed with, and the pieces of rock 
are merely fastened with a little cement, or even placed loose on the slate 
floor of the vessel, on the ground that some of the smaller animals hide 
themselves among the shingle, and, dying there, infect the water; but, with 
care, this may be prevented. 
HOW TO STOCK THE AQUARIUM—THE PLANTS. 
The period of the sea-side visit is the time to procure treasures for the 
aquarium. There are, indeed, several places in New York and other large 
cities where specimens of all kinds, both animal and vegetable, may be pro¬ 
cured ; but no supply thus purchased can make up for the pleasure and profit 
to be derived from collecting the whole stock for your aquarium yourself, 
and the specimens thus collected may easily be brought, safe and sound, to the 
finder’s inland home; for this part of the task, moreover, we shall presently 
give a few directions. At low water, when the sea is retiring from the foot 
of the cliffs, leaving a large expanse of weed-covered rock uncovered, follow 
the margin of the retiring waters, armed with a chisel and hammer ; for you 
must, in collecting your specimens, avoid all that are merely lying on the 
rocks, and which, in nine cases out of ten, are dead. l r ou must chip off a 
little piece of the rock on which the weeds are growing that you collect, 
and bring them away adhering to a piece of their native rock—though a 
very small fragment, just enough for the weeds to cling to, will be sufficient, 
as sea-weeds have no roots. Take care that there are no decaying weeds 
or animals on the bits of stone; for if they are suffered to remain, and begin 
to decay in your vase, they may be the ruin of the whole collection. 
In making your selection of sea-weeds, or algm, choose exclusively the 
smaller and finer kinds; the large coarse fuci are too strong for the purpose, 
and cover the aquarium with slime in decaying. The smaller and more deli¬ 
cate specimens are frequently found hidden under the shelter of the larger 
kinds, or nestling beneath rocky ledges. In every case, remove them 
