50 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALis'1. 
“shebo,” and translated “agate.’’ These references are Isa. 54, 
12,—“and I will make thy windows of agates,”’ and Ezekiel, 27, 
16,—which I have already quoted when speaking of the articles 
of commerce coming from Syria. The true meaning of the 
word is very doubtful, and various surmises have been put for- 
ward, such as:—ruby, zircon, garnet and tourmaline. 
Several other doubtful words could be enumerated, but as 
no serious significance attaches to their exact meaning, they 
may be passed over. 
In compiling this paper I have derived much assistance 
from British Museum Special Guide No. 5, 1911, section on 
minerals by the late Sir L. Fletcher, and have made free usa 
of the very valuable information given there by this most cap- 
able author. I am also indebted to “The Curious Lore of Pre- 
cious Stones, G. F. Kunz, 1913,” for a few items. 
The lecture was illustrated with a collection comprising 
specimens of the gem stones and allied objects mentioned, and 
with large charts showing the tabulated names. 
FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE AQUARIUM. 
In continuance of his plans to popularise the keeping of 
aquaria by members, Mr. Finckh, at the March, 1921, meeting, 
gave a number of useful practical details for the guidance of 
beginners. 
He exhibited. beautiful living specimens of the Purple 
Spotted Gudgeon (Knefftius adspersus), a fish with which he 
has been very successful. A strong plea was made for the 
keeping of our own Australian fish rather than those of other 
wountries, for our own fish are every bit as attractive and in 
many cases much more so than foreign species which are so 
much sought after. We in Australia, and especially members 
of a Natural History Society, should certainly keep and study 
the habits of our native fish, about which but little is known, 
instead of dissipating our energy on those of other lands which 
have already been studied and worked out. 
There is a large and extremely interesting field in Australia 
for this work, and results of value to science can readily be 
obtained by amateur observers; and would form admirable mat- 
ter for publication in the Naturalist. Krefftius is about the 
