The Aquarium 3/26 1893

% A

lA^ Vol. III.

13 .JANUARY,

ia92.

No. 26.

18fl3.

A QUARTERLY

MAGAZINE FOR THE

ACCLIMATIZATION

S

Animals and

Plants.

50 cents a year.

Single copies, 15 cents each.

HUGO MULERTT, BROOKLYN, Copyright.

N. Y.

All Rights Reserved.

HEADQUARTERS FOR THE FINER VARIETIES OF

GOLD

FISH, JAPANESE FANTAILS, ALSO PARADISE FISH, AND ALL KINDS OF AQUATIC PLANTS, For Descriptive,

two cents.

Illustrated Catalogue, send

Address,

EDWARD

SCHMID,

S.

AQUARIUM DEPOT, No. 712 Twelfth Street, N. W., Washington, D.

C.

SCOLLAY'S Patent Elastic Plant-SprlnRIer. This article is made of rubber, in f otir sizes, with a flat bottom, and nickel -plated perforated detachable top an indispensable article for window and house gardening, sprinkling bouquets, cut flowers, etc.

By simply compressing the bulb, thus expelling the air, and placing the nozzle in the water, the sprinkler will fill itself.

—

No. 1 No. 2

.

. .

.$1.00

TSfoB.

85

No. 3.

No. 4

No. 1, Angle Neck. .$1.00 " No. 2, " .. .75

.$0.75 .50

. .

...

JOHN A. SCOLLAY, 74 and 76 Myrtle Avenue, BROOKLYN,

Importer and Wholesale and Retail Dealer

N. Y.

in

AQUARIUMS, TERRARIUMS, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC And

all

BOTANICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL SPECIMENS SUPPLIED. 72 East

I25tli Street, bet,

Park and Madison Avs..

The Gold Fish and its Culture. Illustrated.

Der Gold Fisch und seine Zucht. lUustrirt.

75

cts.

25

cts.

BIRDS,

108 pp.

New

Bound

104 Seiten.

York.

in cloth, $1.00 a copy.

Stettin, 1892.

Broschiert,

How

to Cook Fish, 133 Recipes for preparing Sea and Freshwater Fish for the Table.

Sent prepaid by mail on receipt of price.

Address,

HUGO MULERTT,

173 Nostrand Avenue,

BROOKLTN,

N. T.

Vol.

JANUARY,

III.

CoPYBiGHT

1893.

THE PARLOR AQUARIUM. We know

of

stimulate the

and take of

it

common

monotony

to healthy exertion,

out of the immediate track interests

of

and pleasures, the

which

is

oppressive,

so

26.

and disThose who cannot see Nature, who cannot see more than a "funny thing " in a little polywog are like one gazing at a carved Egyptian

of science requires a separate

nothing more likely to

mind

No.

1893.

All Rights Reserved.

tinct kind of sight.

who

record,

perceives,

in

the hiero-

than the study of natural history in

glyphic character, simply the

f ome of its least

tured figure of a polywog, and no more they are in a state of Egyptian dark-

explored

fields,

espec-

extraordinary development in

ially its

sculp-

—

connection with the aquarium.

And

ness as regards one of the highest

and

how few there are who seek charming mode of dissipating

that

most enchanting

human

re-

yet

dreary monotony of every-day as it

is

made by the

or habit

I

such

routine of fashion

A popular love

tory, even in its best is,

life,

the

of natural his-

known

divisions,

in fact, of quite recent date. Indeed,

the very existence of such a science has been, till recently, altogether ignored

hy our great national

The

earnest

seats of learning.

investigators,

who have

done so much to lay bare its wonders, were either ridiculed or treated with but small resjiect — as useless dreamers

upon very small and ters.

insignificant mat-

To appreciate Nature, as well as mind requires a si^ecial educa-

Art, the

tion, without Avhicli the eye

ear perceive but

little of

passing before them.

and the

the miracles

Each department

fields of

search.

When, Nature

is

however, learned,

longer a confused

the

language

and her voice

murmur

is

of

no

to the ear,

but becomes a brilliant series of

elo-

quent words, full of deep and exquisite meaning, then the student will see as well as hear but till then, in his intercourse with Nature, he is both deaf and ;

" Speak," said Socrates to a blind. youth; "say something, that I may Socrates saw not a silent see you.'^ man and those who do not hear and ;

understand Nature's language cannot see her wondrous beauty.

The aquarium has been at all times and in all ages a source of information

and amusement rich.

for

the

cultured and

Already, thousands of years ago,

THE AQUAEIUM, JANUARY,

18

the Chinese adorned their houses and gardens with aquariums, the old Egyptians and tlie noble Komans had theirs,

which they cultivated choice waterDuring the middle plants and fish. ages we find rare and beautiful fishes and aquatic plants in jDrecious basins in the famous castles of Euroj)e.

The aquarium of those days was of course quite different from the aquarium of the present. The manufacture in

1893.

some

lects in wells

and

and which

also given off

in

of our mines-,

from

stoves,

often causing disease and death.

When

this gas

is

is

present in too large a quan-

the fish feel uncomfortable at bottom, they go near the surface of

tity

phere.

This

discovery,

many

like

useful

others was from year to year improved,,

bygone

and could these

the tanks

days see the parlor aquarium of

scientists

of

Amer-

with plants and

were basins formed of costly stones or china, and the contents could only be

animals from every zone of the

viewed from above.

see

Whether the scientific principles upon which the success of an aquarium

likewise

based were already understood

the joy

is

the

ancients,

is

not

by

known and now

hard to prove. At any

rate,

the present

manner of sustaining an aquarium through the action of aquatic plants without change of water, is based on Ingenhauss's discovery,

made

in

the

second half of the eighteenth century

when exposed to the action emit an air luliich he announced

the-

water and finally are forced to breatli& the oxygen contained in the atmos-

of sheet-glass not being invented then,

containing the collections

the-

ica to-day, inhabited

and

fishes

them, not solely by lady it

globe,^

amphibians bred in by professionals, but amateurs,

creates in

valid, or the sick

in

observe

the child, the inthe bed chamber,^

they would justly feel proud, for they

were unknowingly great benefactors to

man.

An

aquariuin

is

in improving the

a living or

also

very beneficial

sanitary condition of

bedroom through

its

purify-

that ''plants

ing influence on the atmosjjliere.

of light as oxygen gas."

the impurities of the air are absorbed

Fish inhale the oxygen contained in the water and exhale in turn a gas called carbonic acid gas,, a very poison-

by the water, this is in turn purified by the plants and the water evaporating

room is j^erfectly pure.

As we have seen above, the founda-

into the

ous compound, this the plants inhale

tion of

and appropriating the carbon

When

up

their

own

to build

tissues, give off the oxy-

gen again for the fish, so that this gas oxygen becomes but a carrier of carbon from the animal economy to that of When the sua shines the vegetable. on the plants in our aquarium, very often

their leaves

will

be seen to be

covered with an innumerable assemblage of minute globules of that gas, glistening like dew-drops

upon

grass.

Carbonic acid gas is heavier than oxygen.

It is the same body tliat col-

All

an aquarium is the plant life. one has concluded to get an

aquarium into

his house, the first thing^

that should be considered

is

the loca-

tion of the tank.

The rium which

room for the aquahaving a window near

best side of a is

that

it is

to

be placed, as

the light

can be increased or reduced by regulating the shades accordingly.

Thebest exposure is that towards the North;, by such an exposure the aquarium should stand about six inches away from tlie wiiulow; next best is oner

AFTEU DINNER. (CHATEAU FONTAINEBLEAU, IGTH CENTURY.) The Aquarium,

January, 1893

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,

20

1893.

towards the East, the best distance in such a case is about twelve inches from

the washed rocks or tuff-stone intended

the window; next best is a window facing South or West, here set the aqua-

quantity of well washed sharp sand on

rium about eighteen inches towards the room, and when the windows are high even more space may be left between.

When an aquarium is to be located between two windows, it should be far enough in the room to receive the light from both, and in a corner room with windows at both angles, the aquarium should be

so that the

set diagonally

from each window will enter the aquarium from each end.

But, although we want plenty of

light

we should avoid

light for the plants,

much

as

In winter

as possible the sun.

put a

for the rockery ready,

sufficient

the bottom of the tank to cover

it

to

the height of about one inch.

This done, seat yourself in a chair

some distance away from the aquarium, look at it, and study the best effect rethe arranging of the rocks.

Don't be in too great a hurry remember that this arrangement is to be for at least one season, and don't forget that you must make allowances for the plants, making as little shade for them

garding

;

in placing the rocks as possible.

arrangement

pleted, the next of

the

move

is

the planting

know

Since we

jDlants.

The

rocks being com-

of the

that

the sunshine you can get, but

these are the prime factors for the main-

towards the spring, from February on, shelter the tank from its direct rays.

The most favorable temperature for the

tenance of the aquarium, this should

allow

all

welfare of the collection ranges between 60째 and 90째 F.

When we

have chosen a place for the

aquarium the next step tank.

The

best tank

is

is

to secure a

the rectangu-

lar one, metal frame with glass

sides

.and ends and glass or slate lined

bot-

This tank

tom.

placed on a stand

is

table or bracket of proportionate height to secure proper light for the plants

and

to allow

an easy inspection of the

be done with great care.

The plants may be well rooted specimens or mere cuttings, in either case handle them gently, do not bruise or break them. Plant them in the sand with the same care as you would a tender seedling-plant in your garden, arranging the different groups according to the picture you had made in your

mind when you

Be not

it is

prop-

make your

erly cleansed with clean water

and a

aquarium,

When

the tank

is

secured

sponge, but without the aid of soap, and filled up to the top with water to

and

test the resistance

of the glass

detect any leaks.

In making this

to

test

it

them.

placed in that

it

its position,

now

care being taken

sets perfectly level.

Now

get

'

when you

'

penny wisdom,' depends on

They need not necessarily be plants, some of the com-

expensive

moner

species

being

the attractions of is

close

would be

jDeted parlor. it

'

as the success of everything

genators, but

test

aquatic

selection of plants for the

the tank should be in a perfect level position, and of course not in a car-

Having stood the

An

garden can be made a charming little sub-marine landscape, prettier than any picture.

contents.

sat in the chair think-

ing about the rockery.

since

excellent oxy-

plants, outside

of

add greatly to an aquarium, liber-

their purifying faculties,

ality in this direction is well placed.

Whilst you are planting, sprinkle the plants every few minutes, so they

may

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, not

from the dry

suflfer

planted, place

air.

next thing to

the

some small stones or

All being

do

is

to

large peb-

bles in an apparently careless manner on the bottom, some in the immediate

1893.

21

with same and in perfect condition to

Now

support animal

life.

wiper, which

a sponge fastened to

the

fiat

is

end of a

stick,

take the

and slowly wipe

the inside of the glass of

aquarium,

tlie

the

making the motion up and down, avoid

roots of them, while others are placed

touching the sand as this would scratch

vicinity

of

in gronj)s of

the plants to steady

threes or fonrs together,

The aquarium

the glass.

now

will

ap-

between each stone to catch the refnse matter that

pear as clear as

will collect in time.

one at the time, getting them gradually used to the temperature of the water by slowly mixing it with the Avater in which they were, then add to your col-

leaving small

crevices

The aquarium

is

now ready

to re-

you live in a city that has waterworks, use water from the hydrant, provided that it is clear if yon cannot have that, take clear cisceive the water.

If

;

tern

or

must be

spring water, but

and

the water

anybody to drink Any water that you wonld not like to drink yourself is not fit for an aquarium Muddy water is as detri mental to aquatic plants as dust is to garden plants. If the water is less than 60° F., some warm water should be added, as otherwise the plants would get chilled.

Pour the water into the tank slowly and carefully, in order not to wash out the roots of the plants, filling it up to within two inches from the top.

Now take a small stick, and by its aid carefully arrange the branches clear

fit

Now

;it all.

if it

contained no water

introduce the

gently,

fish

two or more frog tadpoles to consume the refuse and otherwise decaying matter and also a few pond

lection

for

!

or blades of the plants to suit,

sprinkle a pinch of

common

then

table salt

on the surface of the water and your aquarium is started.

If you wish to do so, you can place the fish in the water at once, but if there is no particuhir hurry, it is advisable to wait a day or two, in order to have the water settle and to give the plants a chance to straighten up and have the sand settled about their roots. After elapse of that period you will see most of the plants covered with minute silvery bubbles, these are oxygen bubbles and you may consider your tank charged

snails

ramshorn type,

the

of

for the

same purpose.

The in

question,

how many fish can

an aquarium of a certain

equal

to,

how much money must

have to be rich tially the

—the answer

same.

The

determine the )iumber of live in

it.

a

is

it

fish

man

substan-

shaj^e of the

and the location in which comfortably

is

live

size, is

tank

placed

that can

Should the

lo-

bad as regards light, the amount of oxygen generated in the tank will be less, while if the situation be

cation

is

highly favorable in every respect, the

evolution reach

its

of

the life-giving gas will

maximum

degree.

The quan-

water required for a given number of fish is furthermore regulated by

tity of

22 their size

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, and the nature of the

ment they have received came into your possession.

treat-

before If,

they

for in-

1893.

had already been accustomed to a life Some fish need a great

of ca23tivity.

amount

ox3^gen

of

while

others

along with remarkably

aquarium

many

will stand as

the plants

as

can

get

An

little.

fish

supply with

oxygen.

The only way tank

the

to ascertain

by beginning with a few specimens, adding from time to time until you see Ijy the action of the fish that you have arrived at the limit.

ability of a

is

Fish, in order to be objects of

study or enjoyment, should above things feel comfortable and happy; they must feel ''at home,"

all

and

it is

much

the better plan to

keep only a few choice specimens (of a noble type and good habits) and make real pets of these, than to crowd the tank with indifferent

stock.

For an aquarium holding from twelve to thirty gallons of water

and kept for ornamental purposes, two handsome specimens of equal and projoortioned sized sunlish, for instance, strawberry bass

a pair of brook

trout

;

gorgeous Japanese fringe fish,

make

or

such a tank

tail gold-

is

is

obtained

A if

stocked with about

five fish of different colors, sizes.

two

a striking effect.

similar good effect

and

or

;

Tanks

shapes

of the author

were seen by millions of people at the various industrial expositions

durnig the

last

twenty years where

we had them displayed and we

stance, they were kept in

running water,

or were newly caught in a large pond,

they will naturally require a larger quantity of water than

much if

they

bad good opportunities to notice which arrangement was the most :i(l mired.

Such a tank as mentioned above brings the arrangement of the rockery and the plants to full notice.

The fish appear like so many cattle in

"

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, n pasture with the edge -a

of a piece of

The whole

forest as a background.

is

living picture continually changing,

but

always charming.

perfect

Its

and imparts a

silence rests our nerves

peaceful feeling. is

to be a source of

information to children or pastime for invalids,

different

a

course

is

be

to

taken and the collection should comprise

various species of fish in order

that the

forms, habits and

different

structure

23

893.

the tank

is

The older The author has

re-filled.

the water, the better.

used water for eleven then

in

years

the plants,

all

the

also

larger

and

and now carefully catch remove the fish, etc., placing

them

in a clean tin vessel with plenty of

may

be

compared

and

Take

ivater of suitable temperature.

now and

out the balance of the water also the sand, but do not

from

sand particles

move the tank

After washing the

position.

its

the inside of the glass

off'

studied.

to prevent scratching, clean the

There now remain a few remarks to be said in regard to the general management of an aquarium. We say a few remarks, because if the aquarium has been properly started, it almost takes

inside of the tank by rubbing

care of

itself, all

feed the

fish

that

is

necessary

fish

is

to

One

regularly every day.

person only should have charge of

and the

this

Xext take out the rockwork,

way). pebbles,

aquarium

If th"i

when

3

ordinary table

Allow for possible at the same period. â‚Źach fish a mouthful of food each feeding time. Should any unconsumed food remain at the bottom the tadpoles and snails will devour it. Once or

with

using the fingers All the brownish

instead of a brush.

or green matter being taken

off,

the

tank is once more washed with clean water and is then ready again for replanting.

this,

should be fed as nearly as

salt,

entire it

The sand should be

washed

well

in

various waters until perfectly clean before

jiut

is

it

Where sand supply

is

is

back into

the

easily obtained

tank. a

new

preferable.

The rock work,

or tlie rock used for

should be scalded and then washed in salt water with a rough sponge or small scrubbing brush before replacing it,

twice a week the inside of

the

glat-s

should be cleaned with the wiper, thus preventing algae covering it and ob•structing the view. At the same time the water lost by evaporation should be a

The plants

are then looked over and most desirable ones selected and 2:)lanted again without delay; the tank refilled, and fi'sh, etc., returned as soon

the

replaced.

Once

in position.

month the sediment

collected between

that has

the pebbles,

intro-

duced for this purpose, should be removed by the aid of a glass dipping tube or a rubber syphon.

When the aquarium is to be thoroughly cleaned and re-arranged, which should be done once or twice every year, the water is drawn off with a rubber syphon to within about six inches from the bottom (this water, if practicable, is saved and used again

as practicable.

Two

or three hours of labor once or

twice in a

year— what

ure, information

bring to a family hospital

We

a wealth of pleas-

and j)astime circle,

will

school

they

room or

I

cannot leave this chapter without

calling

attention

" What

is

doing: well

to

the

worth doing .

saying:

old

at all

is

worth

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,

34

The

T^qukriutvt.

cts.

a Tear.

;

they

and whenever there is a mild day the upper sash should be opened for them a little, for the air

want fresh

Single Copies, 15 cts Each.

Sample Copies

Plants want plenty of light during-

the day and darkness at night

A Quarterly Magazine, 50

1893.

air,

free.

should not strike the plants directly, as this would chill them, nor should plants

Advertising Kates on Application.

ever be permitted to stand in a draught,

HUGO MULERTT,

Publisher,

either

Brooklyn, N. Y.

173 Nostrand Av.,

in

summer

or

winter.

Alsa

avoid a location where you would touch

r^

Japanese Fringe-Tail Goldfish.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT HOUSE PLANTS.

OF

The great secret of success in house gardening consists in overcoming, as

much

as

possible,

the

disadvantages

under which the plants labor, and rendering their position and treatment as much as possible like those growing in the open air.

the leaves of the plant frequently with

your dress. Dusty air is fatal to plants.

Get good, healthy plants to begin with, keep not more than you can comfortably, and select plants according to facilities, regarding light and temperature,

a

you have for them. For

plant that requires shade

flourish versa.

in a

instance,.

will

nob

sunny window, and vice

.

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, TEMPEHATURE FOR HOUSE PLANTS.

away rapidly

be found to come from a uniform temperature of 45° or 50° F., at night, and 60° to 70° 80° is too hot except in the daytime for only some plants of semi-tropical character.

Under no circumstances should the temperature go below 35°.

Tlie greatest success will

quently. It

when the plant

35

189:3.

will

it

is

need replacing

soil

and the

well drained

is

up the

iises

fre-

generally a sign of health

water

surplus of

quickly.

;

Dust and dryness of the atmosphere two greatest troubles of indoor first

is

avoided

by covering the plants with a light cloth while the room is being swept, and when it has accumulated it is removed by placing the pots in a sink or washtub, and showering the foliage with tepid water from a pot provided

The second

Avith a fine rose.

come

to

a

certain extent by

is

over-

keeping-

water on the furnace or stove that heats the room heat.

it

if

Open

be

fires

warmed by

give but

artificial

little

trouble,

while hot-air heaters are as unhealthy for plants as for

recommended

is

Another plan

man.

to place the pots on

clean sand kept constantly moist.

The sand may

be spread to the depth

two inches in a shallow zinc box of the size of the windowsill upon which the plants usually stand.

of about

WHEN AND HOW " When is

TO WATER.

shall I water

my

plants

a vexed question, asked perhaps

" ?

more

frequently than any other by the beginner.

First,

and, second,

itself;

This depends entirely upon the

form more readily

The

the roots.

it

converts

when the

fit

for absorption by

roots can obtain

Never give water when the

is

soil

the most frequently, and yet it may appear a contradiction to say that the plants which contain the most watery tissues, the cacti, grow in the dryest places.

Water cold from the well

or

pump

is

not suitable for plants, unleSs of a tem-

Rain water is best, supposed to contain some

perature of 60°. for this

is

ammonia from the sky.

The best rule in all cases is water warm to the hand. Some

little

to use florists

advise water not colder than the atmosphere.

We

believe

it

generally best to

warmer. In cool mornings it should be lukewarm, say not under 55°.

Over 150° is neither necessary nor safe.

Nearly all plants require more when in flower than at any other time.

use

it

The supply

lated according to the

oughly wet is totally unfit for jjlant growing. The real idea each cultivator should aim at is to supply the plants with water which may drain rapidly through the pots, yet sufficient being retained to give a good moist soil for the If the water jmsses plant to live in.

only

moist to the touch, but wait until it is dry The healthiest plants require water

water than others, and yet a

thor-

it

dampened.

soil is

nature of the plant, for some need more soil

water supmatter con-

the nourishment of the soil into a liquid

are the

The

of watering should be

plies to the roots fertilizing

tained in

PRECAUTION AGAINST DUST.

flower-growing.

The purposes

better understood.

plants.

of

water

must be regu-

demand

of the

Calla Lillies will absorb water

two or three times other plant.

If

easily obtained

as quickly as

any

rain water cannot be

and hard water

is

the

only source on hand, add a little soda use a to it and let it stand for awhile ;

small piece, say a small nugget of the

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,

HQ

gallon, on that pour about a pint of boiling water, and then fill it up with cold water. It will be quite warm, and a thorough drenching overhead and in the pots will vastly improve their color and health. A drop or two of hartshorn will also correct hard water somewhat. In watering, never wet merely the surface, but moisten the whole ball of earth in the

size of a pea, to every

If the ball

pot.

set

should yet be very dry,

the whole pot

water

it

till

morning

a pail

in

warm The

of

soaked through.

is

head, but plants with hard, varnished

may

leaves

Avill

plants absorb a great deal of moisture, it will

do no harm to leave a

the

saucer.

Among

in

watering,

the

Plants in cases

of

caution

Some

the leaves.

whose

be

to

observed

:

Begonia Rex, so large and grand, has

'J'ake

foliage,

a,n exquisite

the

;

if its

leaves were

to be

sponged with cold water, and the plant left out on the balcony or in open

would probably die very soon, but a Camelia can be treated in the same way and not be injured in the

iiiv, it

slightest.

The

last

The reasons for it are good. plant has a hard, shiny leaf,

which can

resist

rough treatment

;

the other has a succulent, tender

The

easily affected.

generally find

it

novice, then,

true that

the

but

once conis

plants, Avliich delight

need

situations, Avater

it

twice

Avhen the sun

is

TREATMENT OF FROZEN PLANTS. During the cold liable

get

to

spells

our plants are

"snapped" by "Jack

In spite of our precaution in

Frost."

some may be found frozen

in the morning.

happens, don't get discour-

Take the frozen plants tenderly and dip them into cold Avater, as the aged.

cistern or hydrant furnishes

the plant

is

it

(or if

too large for that, sprinkle

minute or

two), then place complete darkness, and in three days at the most you will find it

coloring

is

hot.

If this

are

Some

Xever

other details

plants should never be wetted on

be Avatered

evaporation

open rooms once a day

in very moist

a day.

in

items

may

for there

fined, but in

stiff

following

a

ing, they need very little indeed.

their behalf, little

It is also

;

sufficient.

dipped into Avarm shaken over the plants will imitate a summer shower. Care should be taken that the pots have good drainage, for then all surplus water will run into the saucer, which may be emptied as fast as filled.

In warm, mild weather, when

folloAV Avith clear

good rule to observe that the colder the weather the less Avater must be given and Avhen plants are at rest, done groAV-

•common hand-brush, made corn,

frequently.

remove the soap.

a Aveek

broomwater and

Avatered

Then

clear them.

Avater to

watering during the cold season, while the evening is best in summer. A of

be

Tepid Avater should be invariably used, even doAvn to the height of summer.

If jilants get infested with vermin, a sponging with soap, as sold by the florists, and Avater made into a lather,

the best time of the day for

is

189^

for a

them them If

in

as fresh as ever.

the pots are set back at night

from the

AvindoAvs

on a

table, they will often

shelf,

mantle or

escape freezing.

Fastening a blanket or several thicknesses of paper against the

windows out-

side will also tend to protect

them.

leaf,

may

plants

with soft, porous and hairy leaves should be very cautiously Avetted over-

A

year's subscription for

make

The Aqua-

a very pretty and interesting Christmas present for some of RiUiAi Avill

your friends.

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY. TilE CLIMBING PEKCH. The

fresh waters of India

well as those of Southern Africa, are

inhabited by a family of fishes of more interest,

which

is

due not

only to the food value of some of

members, but

its

also to the singularity of

their habits— their

power

of

enduring

a prolonged stay out of their native This family is known scienelement. the Anabantidae, or fishes The with labyrinthiform branchia?. family name is derived from the generic tifically as

<lesignation of one of the chief genera,

The anabantids vary

Anabas. erably in

form and

2:

throw some doulit upon

and the

islands of the adjoining archipelago, as

than usual

1893.

consid-

peculiarities

of

this

alleged

The climbing perch (Ana-

function.

bas scandens, Cuv. and Val.)

is perhaps one of the best known species of this family of fishes, and inhabits the fresh

waters of

Malaysia, and

India,

the

This fish has an oblong and slightly compressed body, with a rounded head and inflated cheeks and gullet. It is of a rifle green color, lighter in the abdomen, with four dark vertical diffused bands passing from the back to the abdomen. In the young Philippine Islands.

fish

a dark spot

the base of the

generally present at

is

The

tail.

fins are dai'k

green, but in clear water tend to

come

As

reddish.

to

its

be-

habits. Dr.

appearance resemble such of our fresh water fishes as the sunfishes, grass bass and black bass for instance. In other words they are oblong, laterally compressed fishes,

Francis Day, in the "Fishes of Malabar," says that the climbing qualities

covered with scales of moderate size with ventral fins thoracic, with the

tainly with difficulty, says he, that they

structure, but

in

general

attributed to

in other parts of India

it

and Ceylon are

believed

fully

the inhabitants of Malabar.

by

in

It is cer-

can be retained in an aquarium since, covered,

or its

summit

dorsal and anal fins with spines anteri-

unless

and generally in large numbers, and with the uppermost element of the

upward

gill-bearing arches peculiarly modified;

progress along the ground in two ways;

the uppermost element of each

either by lying flat on their sides, flap-

orily

that

is,

side, instead of being straight

and

solid

as in most fishes, is excessively developed, and provided with several thin plates or folds erect from the surface of the bone and from the roof of the skull These to which the bone is attached. plates by their intersection form chambers and are lined with avascular

mem-

it is

is

of a foot above the water, they

invariably

ping their

They

escape.

tails,

moving

are able to

their pectoral

by the aid of the latter finsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; first one being advanced and then the other. They can erect fins,

or else chiefiy

their fins

and likewise their

pleasure, even

down

scales at

to those along the

basis of the caudal fin.

This power of

erection, especially as

also exists

in

would be of great sistance did they employ the latter

as-

covers,

brane which is supplied with large blood vessels, and it was formerly sup-

the

p)osed that the chamber referred to had the office of receiving and retaining supplies of water which should trickle down and keep the gills moist, and

climbing.

gill

it

The hollow

in

super- bronchial

organ, with from two to six laminal (the number of which depend on the

such was supposed to be the adaption

age of the specimen,) with fringed valances, enables the "climbing perch"

for the sustentation of life out of water.

to retain water for a considerable time,

Some

so that

experiments, however,

tend to

it

can mois'ei)

its gills

and

live

;

AQUARIUM, JANUARY,

TFIE

28 awhile out of

Ham-

native element.

its

Buehannan observes that he has

ilton

known

it

under these That it travels pond when its means of

to retain vitality

conditions for six days.

from pond

to

subsistence fail

is

a well

known

fact

mud

the

as but that it buries until there remain and up, tanks dry the monsoon of the next year fills them with water is a statement that requires further research before it can be acitself in

These

cepted.

being

fishes

1893.

cooked with meat, either

To

collect the roots

salt or fresh.

the Indians

wad&

and loosen them with their feet, when they float up and aregathered. They are of an oblong shape, in color whitish yellow, banded witli into the water

four black 1870).

rings

They

(U.

serve as

S.

Agr. Rept.,

food for the In-

dians of Washington, under the of

Wappatoo.

name

In shallow ponds and

common

in most pieces of fresh water in Malabar,

and being esteemed good eating by

the natives, are natives

much

The

fished for.

when catching them

invariably

head to destroy life. On one occasion, says Surgeon Day, this practice led to a fatal result, the fish having bite their

slipped

down the

man

could not be withdrawn, owing

it

throat of the fisher-

to the erectile nature of the gill covers

and

scales,

and the man died of

suffo-

cation before reaching the hospital.

THE SAGITTARIA OR ARROWHEAD. In the great economy of Nature the contributed their full

sagittaria have

share to the support of

family in

all

human

the

parts of the world.

The

Chinese and Japanese cultivate them very extensively for food, also the Tartar

Kalmucks

use

them

for

food.

The Arrow Head.

Aquatic birds are fond of them, and resort to favorite spots in spring to feast

upon the

when the Indians slay their own feasts.

The

tubers,

the birds for

tubers are generally as large as hens'

and are greatly relished when raw, but have a bitter, milky juice, eggs,

not agreeable to civilized

man

;

this

is

destroyed in boiling, however, and the roots

They

'Ave

rendered sweet and palatable.

are

considered excellent

when

of lakes and rivers throughout the Northwest this plant, so variable in foliage and so abundant in distribution, furnishes an important

muddy margins

article

of native

food in

the tubers

These which beset its affording their fact of tubers, from the nourishment to the larger aquatic fowls which congregate in such abundance about the Northwestern lakes, are fibrous roots.

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, ÂŤalled by the Chippewas Wab-esi-pinig or

swan potatoes, a name which has

been naturally appropriated to several streams in that region. Wabesipinicon, meaning the abode of the swan potato {Owen's Survey of the N. W.).

From

the foregoing extracts

how

be seen

employed

know

very

will

universally they have been assist in the

to

human

of the

it

maintenance

family, and probably

little

yet

how

we

extensively

now

brittle,

and stoloniferous.

Next, the sometimes phyllodic (submerged and riband-like), others are an fibrous

are

leaves

up

to near the

of the earth, and there

erect

elliptical,

blade,

lastly,

the leaf developed

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; arrow-shaped.

look at the flower

let

us

the lower ones are

;

kind, while

but occasionally

^S*.

coarse

of producing

bottom of the tub

or long, creeping

below the surface of the

They

true

its

yellow centre (stamens), usually single,

throws out in-

its

roots, the sagittaria present the feature

just

into

Again,

are sterile

variabilis,

roots,

tall,

usually fertile, producing seed to per-

numerable fibrous roots, which is the true crown from which sj^ring the leaves, flowers and stolons, and is also the plant centre during summer.

By the 1st of June the milky juice (starch or saccharine, etc.) has usually been absorbed by the new growth of the plant, and the corm is then a soft and flexible, or spongy mass, reminding one of a sprouted and growing potato, while by the middle of July or 1st of August we would not find any corm, but found decayed masses which we were reasonably certain were the remains of the former corms.

In addition to tuberous and fibrous stolojis

upon a

round, or slightly angular stem, and

root-

approach of warm

weather, starts a large, porous stock, reaching

three

of

forms, the tuberous,

surface

the earth, being the germ from which the plant starts in spring. From the first

as the sagitta-

are

the upper ones and barren, or each flower stock producing bowers with the sexes separate and still on the same stock.

The flowers are borne on long, leafless, branched stems, well above the foliage, with pure white petals and a

and find in early spring a solid, tuberous corm, down deep in

corm, at the

roots

entirely distinct

petuate

Illinois,

genus of plants that

different forms of de-

the

First,

ria.

many

Ohio, Indiana and

many

velopment in each plant

form

in

29

recall a single

present so

they have been emiDloyed in North America.

We have collected them from a great localities

1893.

from the stem, and

sagittaefolia

and

S.

have been found growing wild with double flowers.

European nurserymen offer these varieties

var.

now

latifolia,

for sale.

Sagittaria natans and

<S'.

lanciolata

soon became favorites of American and

European aquarists.

For growing in an aquarium we find few plants better suited, and for a fountain, small lake or pond, it has few equals.

In their natural condition they are found growing in soft, muddy or sandy ground, consequently the conditions for a successful cultivation viz. if

all

:

grown

for

must be continued, loamy soil, \yhile,

in soft,

pot or tub

culture, a layer of

sand or small pebbles in is

the

always desirable for

kinds of aquatic plants

;

at the

same

usually

time a layer of clean, fine sand, spread over the top of the soil, not only looks

roots,

bright and cheerful, but very materi-

earth.

start

from just above the fibrous and creep out horizontally from the jilant in all directions.

We do not

ally assists in purifying the water.

Of

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,

50

the

course

species

tropical

not

will

withstand oar winter, but must be protected the same as other tropical plants,

but they can be allowed to remain in a neglected corner until required again The *S'. for the lawn or show house. sinensis

may or

very easy culture

of

it

;

be grown either way, in water, moss If treated like the Chinese

soil.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

grown in a bowl of water makes a very graceful and attractive

narcissus it

is

specimen within a few weeks after is

it

planted.

THE TERRARIUM OR FERN CASE. Every one who has had experience with the glass shade fernery or the Wardian case, will have found that they give very

The

little

history of the

or no satisfaction.

Wardian

case dates

back to 1839, when a gentleman by the name of Ward, of London, first noticed accidentally the growth of vegetation under a closed glass. He had placed the chrysalis of an insect, with some mould, in a glass bottle and covered it A short time afterward, as he over. describes it, " a speck or two of vegetation appeared on the. surface of the

mould, and

his surprise

to

to be a fern and a grass.

was awakened

;

turned out His interest

he placed the bottle in

a favorable situation

and found that

the plants continued to grow and mainThis was tain a healthy appearance." the

first

idea of the

Wardian

case,

and

a very good one, to preserve the plants for the scientist for a short time.

when

it

comes

to

But

practical use for the

amateur, who wishes to see the various ferns and ornamental foliage plants

put forth their beautiful leaves, it is a failure.

He will do well if he preserves the old leaves the plants already have

1893.

when introduced

new

into the case, the

growth will be slender and sickly looking.

But suppose the plants are in a fair condition, they are concealed under the sweating glass shade, like gold fish are in a globe filled with Is it

muddy

water.

not but half the jileasure of growing

when you can not work 'round them, pick away a leaf you don't like, and train another one in a desired

plants,

All this is prevented when direction ? your plants are in a closed case whether it is a round or a square one.

In constructing a practical fern case, or terrarium,

we

it

in

contradistinction to an aquarium,

we

as

shall

call

were guided by the following points, 1. Plants, with few exceptions, must be protected against sudden changes of

and too They must be

temperature, draught, dust,

dry an atmosphere.

3.

supplied with fresh air and moisture,

both to their roots and over their age.

Our

case

is

constructed

folias.

follows:

An a zinc

oblong wooden base is lined with pan three inches deep, with a.

hole in the centre for

top glass, which tilation, isin a

is

drainage.

adjustable for

frame, and this

is

The venr

sup-

ported at each corner by a thin iron rod, twelve inches or more, over the

bottom part. The glass on the sides and ends is loosely fastened, without ptitty, in the grooves between top and The good fitting edges of the bottom. glass still admit a slight circulation of The glass that forms the front air. can be slid up through the top, thus forming a handy door.

To admit circulation of the warm room atmosphere, the whole case is raised by four two-inch balls, which serve as legs, over the surface of the This simple structure furnishes table. all the necessary protection most plants

need.

THE AQUAKIUM, JANUARY, Inarmiigiiig such a ternirium

landscape gardening can

even

indulged

be

A little lake caii be formed by means of a shallow bowl or birds' bath, over which a little rustic bridge can be built.

Rockwork can be formed with pieces of tu If stone, which lycopodium freely decorates, and to liven up the scenin.

ery,

newts, salamanders,

frogs,

tree

and very small

lizards

terrarium

such

of

and

pleasant

is

Through the

the

are

turtles

The management

things

a

simple.

sliding door you are able

when

to sprinkle the plants

imperfect

to pick out

necessary,

leaves,

lake

for

evenings,

before

the

pasteboard

for the purpose or a thick

fire

and box

cloth,

thus affording shelter against the cold-

I place a

and the injurious, unnat-

night lamp,

is

cheaper.

:

contrived

warming the water

device

a

for

where my paradise fish are. It is simple and I will describe it, but you effective.

may have

in the tank

better ways.

"It consists of what you might call an

ordinary can, without a of tinned copper,

it

lid

;

it is

made

projects about

a

aquarium frame in carry oS any unpleasant odor

half inch above the

order to

from the lamp.

The can

is

ten inches

high, three inches wide, and four inches long, shaped similar to a

Through

I find

The small

well.

with kerosene (high

filled

was left in all night. The temperature was kept well up to 70" of course in colder weather the heat will have to be increased. This can is held down by wires which spring under the ;

top frame, being soldered to the corners the

Some

can.

boys

little

which

the can,

de-

some window, as

excites

curiosity, being in the store

Perhaps the above value to you, and

nothing new or of

is

and yon would any plainer description of it, I will have a friend of mine picture it for you.

Another time I would build it in a if it is

like

rockwork.

M. S."

S.

lIEATINa AN A.QUARIUM. We received the following communihave

is

test),

Our way

"I

very

more heat

if

ural light.

cation

;.

use an alcohol lamp, u sing-

I

wood alcohol, which the scheme works

scribed

ventilation,

cover the case with a

er night air

required,

crosses

In this can,

a place for the fish to sleep at night.

goes down, close the

made

under this tube,

directly

of

longer

tube

brass

small night lamp, and

value

preservation.

In cold

diametei')

the joints are water-tight.

or to

place some cut flowers, that you highly, in the small

inch

31

1893.

wash

boiler.

this can, at a height of about

three and a half or four inches, or so as to be about the centre of the water contained in the aquarium, a hollow (half

follows

:

A

to heat

an aquarium

sheet-iron pan,

is

as-

similar to

an ordinary roasting pan, and about one half inch larger all round, outsidemeasurement, than the bottom of the tank which

is

to

be heated,

is

filled

on this the aquarium is placed. The whole is set on a framework, or on an open top Under the pan, on a shelf, a table. small petroleum lamp, of the kind often used in cigar stores, with two burners, and each with a chimney, is set. After the aquarium has been put in order and with two inches of sand

filled

with water of

80'^

;

F., the

two

lamps are lighted and kept burning until you find that the sand has become quite warm, and the temperature of ihe water, which was sinking, is beginningWhen the water is again to rise again. between 7U'^ and 80*^ V., you may put

THE AQUAEIUM, JANUARY,

32

out one lamp, as one is generally sufficient to keep up this temperature during the daytime when the room is heated by a stove or open fire. At night, however, when the

out,

tire is

and

in

severely cold weather, also in the daytime, the two lamps are necessary. We have kept the water of an eight gallon at 70'' F. without difficulty

aquarium

when the thermometer

outside stood

^3° F. below zero, and the temperature of the room could not be raised above

60° F. The expense for oil to about five cents a week.

rTS

will

amount

1893.

and admire them it is

not natural.

—

Miss Emily S. A floating island an aquarium is constructed as Take a piece of rough cork follows bark, as it can be bought at any drug store, say of about two and a half by six Mix common garden soil with inches. watercress and canary seed, and with this mixture fill up the cracks on the for

:

rough side of the cork wood. Now l^lace it on the water, the rough side upward. In a very short time the seeds will grow and pres'Mit a charming

when

appearance, especially

Queries.

Sea-shells do

there.

not belong into a fresh- water aquarium;

cress

large

is

enough

to

the water-

droop over the

edge of the "island" and hang into the

The

water.

effect

can be improved by

placing a miniature fisher-hut or a swan-

house on the island.

We

cheerfully answer,

queries •or '.s

made

in regard to

Window Gardening enclosed,

once,

at

all

Aquariums

return jiostage

if

and publish only such an-

swers in this column as

may

be of gen-

eral interest.

Miss

L.

— We advise you to leave the

*'odd little crawfish" out of your aquarium, as they are very destructive to plants, and in case one should die, will poison the water in a few hours time.

You can keep them by themselves in a

S

P.

good for aquaria in their tadpole state, and after that should be inhabitants of the terrarium.

MissB. E.

— You are right

;

it is

the

canary bird that causes your trouble.

A

aquarium will would hang a basket of

bird in a cage over an

them

never do.

with a small piece of beef occasionally,

plants in

glass jar, but don't forget to feed

—

Small bullfrogs will prove A small frog an aquarium, which we raised from a tadpole, swallowed a goldfish of fully twice its own size; the tail part stuck out of its mouth, hence the discovery. Frogs are only J.

fatal in

We its

place.

otherwise they will eat each other.

Mrs. W.

— Geraniums

tered over in a

damp

can

by hanging them up by the the

plants are

hung up with

in

be

win-

cellar successfully

pots,

roots.

If

they can be

the pot, in the same

manner,

Mrs,

W.— Ed — We

would put those

beautiful sea-shells on the mantlepiece

Spring Aquarium, which In

the

.

Number

of

The

appear in the first part of Mar ch, we will begin a series of papers on the Denominative Characteristics of

will

American Fishes,

Salamanders and their Breeding Habits, Aquatic Plants in their Homes and Ours, and Garden Topics.

Self-Sustaining

Aquarium.

MARINE AND FRESH "WATER

MARK SAMUEL, 10 East l6tt\ Street, Change

DIEEGTIDNS.

FOOD

The

and thrive, when in nature, are combined in this preparation.

ONE TRIAL

Besides being nutritious fishfood, as prepared

WILL

I.

by

X. L.

us, im-

proves the shapes and colors of

CONVINCE

the

YOU.

fish.

Feed daily, allowing a small mouthful for each fish.

For

PRICE,

baby-fish,

still

in the nursery,

it

should be powdered and then fed in very small quantities three or four times a day.

cts.

a package, prepaid

by mail.

FISH FOOD,

various foods on which

the different kinds of fishes live

MADE.

25

YorK.

of water unnecessary.

THE BEST

FISH

New

HUGO PLERTT,

Five Packages for

MANUFACTURER,

BROOKLYN,

$1.00.

N. Y.

HUGO MULERTT, IMPORTER AND EXPORTER OF

EvEiatiiinD lor 173 NO STORE

!

tiie

fluuaiium,

NOSTRAND AV..

BROOKLYN,

N. Y.

W. FISKE,

J

MANl/FACTURER OF

H Q U M R 39 and 41

I

H

,

PARK PLACE, NEW YORK.

AQUARIA STOCK ALW^AYS ON HAND Gold, Pearl, Silver, Sun,

and Rock Fish, Turtles, IN

etc.,

THEIR SEASON.

Japanese Gold Fish.

ALSO

Aquaria Plants,

Full

line

all varieties.

of

Arches, Rocks,

Grottoes,

etc., carried

in stock.

Manufacturer of Fountains,

Also

Lamp

Posts,

Drinking Fountains, Settees, Railings,

Chairs,

etc.

CATALOGUE FURNISHED GRATIS UPON APPLICATION.

SIF^TED

MCALLISTER'S

BIRD 5EED.

SUPERIOR PREPARED

MOCKING-BIRD FOOD

YOU WANT BIRD SEED FREE FROM

IF

GRAVEL

DIRT,

AND

FOR

HOTES,

MocloDg-Mrds,

ASK YOUR GROCER OR DRUGGIST FOR

Robins,

TVYcKLUISTE R'S.

AND ALL SOFT-BILL

carefully selected best quality of canary, Gterman rape, and imported millet seeds, and is pntnp fresh in one-pound boxes.

This seed

BIRDS.

;

YOUR BIRD HAS LOST HIS VOICE,

SHEPPARD'S SONG RESTORER, OR TREAT, Is

Blackbirds,

Skylarks,

This ijreparation is. the purest, healthiest, and cheapest bird food known, it s ingredients, approximating closely to the food of birds in their natural state and its use in all cases causes a marked improvement in their song and appearance.

is

IF

Tbmsljes,

Nightingales,

SHEPPARD'S GENUINE PREPARED FISH FOOD.

A

an invigorating tonic that is sure to get the bird into song again.

perfectly pure article,â&#x20AC;&#x201D; specially prepared for feeding Gold Fish, Etc., kept in Aquaria or Globes.

FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS AND AT ALL BIRD STORES.

DEALER IN

FLOVy^ER 22

AND GARDEN

DEY STREET,

-

-

SEED, ETC.,

NEW

TORK.