The Aquarium 3/29 1893

u^

V

290^ DIVISION C? FI5!SS U* S. HAxlOt^Ah

Vol. III.

OCTOBER,

1893.

I'Xj^^

No. 29.

"Books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.'

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THE

AQTIARIXrM.

OCTOBER,

Vol. hi.

Copyright

1893.

DENOMINATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH WATER

in

the water

29.

they are adhesive and

;

stick to the object until hatched, I'equires

FISHES.

No.

1893.

All Rights Reserved.

from three

which

to twelve days, ac-

cording to temperature and difference III.

THE CARP-LIKE

of species.

{Cyprinidae.)

This family of

fishes is

species are as follows

much

prises

some very choice and valuable

over the globe and com-

(Cyjjrinus carpio.)

The body

of this fish

by the

naked head, the body being covered with scales, the toothless mouth and

The head

is

small and

carries

two pairs

mouth being much As stated above the general remarks, the mouth is

the corners of the

larger than the other.

barbies,

though their existence is not a dominant feature of the family. The cyprisalmonidae, possess

nidae unlike the

no adipose

fin.

The spawning

occurs during the spring and

months, just locality

may

as the

be,

circumstances of the

and they belong there-

fore to the great division of

spawners.

The

season

summer

eggs

are

summer deposited

against aquatic plants or other material

in

which

of barbies, the one near

well developed lips, the dorsal fin soft,

witli

supplied with

well developed lips, the upper of

and the air bladder large and divided, something like an hour-glass.

Some supplied

stout and

is

elongated, the sides being compressed.

purposes of the table.

The family is characterized

are

Le Carpe.

Der Edelkarpfen.

species, that are highly prized for the

species

:

THE SCALE OR NOBLE CARP. distributed

pretty

all

The leading

FISHES.

toothless,

though the

fish

is

provided

with masticating organs. These organs are situated far back in the pharynx or throat and consist of pharynThese geal bones armed with teeth. bones are operated by appropriate muscles which give to them a motion like that of the jaws opening and closing

during the act of chewing. The action may be illustrated by spreading the fingers of the two hands and moving

THE AQL^ARIUM, OCTOBER,

66

the hands to and from each other, allowing the fingers of one

hand

to pass into

the spaces between those of the other.

The

upon these bones

teeth

are shed

every spring, their places being supplied with

new

The

ones.

color of the

body of the fish is generally of a dark olive brown on the back and sides, though it will vary according to circumstances the abdomen may be ;

either yellowish white or orange tinted.

The

entire body

uniform

a

of

covered with scales

is

of

size,

course propor-

tioned to the size of the individual.

The

dorsal fin

is

on the mid-

situated

dle of the back, extending nearly to the

and consists of three

tail

third one of which

from

is

sjiines,

serrated,

the

and has

fifteen to eighteen soft rays.

The

carp attains a length of from

tries just

1893.

As is well known when removed

mentioned.

the fish declines in

size,

from the warmer regions of the temperate zones, yet notwithstanding this fact, the

Germans and Austrians have it with the most marked

cultivated success.

Nearly every farmer has his carp-pond and devotes as much attention to the breeding and raising of the carp as is usually done with cattle, sheep, etc., the world over.

So profitable is it, that an acre of water will yield as high a rent as an acre of the richest soil.

The cultivation of the carp in Europe has grown to immense proportions, in evidence of which a few of the larger

may be mentioned.

The carp-ponds belonging to the manor establishments of Wittengau,

in

Bohemia, of which

three to four feet and weighs then be-

the Princess of Schwarzenberg

tween thirty and forty pounds. There are individual cases on record in which the weight has reached nearly one hundred pounds, but this is the exception.

The carp has become a very important

proprietress,

fish,

ing

because of it

pond

to

its

habits readily adapt-

culture.

The common

carp was known to the both Aristotle and Pliny

ancients, as

have noticed them, though it appears the ancients did not value the fish near as much as do the people in modern In central Europe, where

it is

difficult

coming from

to obtain sea-fish, those

fresh water are, of necessity, greatly in

demand and In view of

come an

are

this,

prized

accordingly.

carp culture has be-

interest of national importin

Germany and

The growth

of the fish, its

especially

Austria. habits,

acres.

the

and cover an area of 22,000

The annual

yield of fish

one-

is

These ponds are known to be the largest on the globe, and the cultivation of the carp in them has been carried on for many half million of pounds.

centuries.

Similar establishments are

found on the manor Konigswartha, in

Upper

Lusatia, with 205 ponds, extend-

ing over an area of 9,000 acres

;

the

manor Peitz-Cottbus (Brandenburgh), with 72 ponds, covering 5,600 acres;

times.

ance,

fifty (250),

is

number two hundred and

etc.,

so

together

with

various

methods of fattening it, have been closely and practically studied, with the most gratifying success in the coun-

manor Trachenwhich are the third largest in Germany.

To these must be added thousands of ponds, scattered all over the country, before an adequate idea can be had of the extent to which the industry is prosecuted.

The custom of keeping the fish in artificial ponds has furnished opportunities the celebrated ponds of

berg

(Silesia),

for close observation, notably so

spect to age.

It is

not at

for specimens to live to

all

in re-

unusual

"a good

old

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

1893.

67

age," in the full acceptation of the term, and instances have been recorded

burg, near Berlin, some very large and

where the age was a full century, though this has been eclipsed by the

the bell

At the pond

old carp are exhibited to visitors. AVlien

having been known to live to the ripe age of one hundred and fifty years.

This would seem incrodible were the

are fed

fact not well authenticated.

large

fish

as

is

any

Tradition,

is

rung,

it

being the signal for

their feeding time, the surface of the

pond near the bridge from which they is lashed into a foam by the

number

of carp, in their endeavors

always the case, tends to magnify

to get a share of the black rye bread

may

with which they are fed.

This fish, when purely bred and

natural

phenomena that

either be wonderful or astonishing, and

upon a systematic

has gathered about the carp a halo of

raised

romance. It is said, though the story cannot be vouched for, that the tame carp in the ponds of Fontainebleau

sidered in

Ift ulerllt.

;

it is

first

rank.

Germany

diet, is

con-

as a delicacy of the

Should an esteemed

visitor

German

host, a

abide at the house of a

Del

were placed there during the reign of Francis I. this of course would give them an age of more than three and a half centuries, a thing very difficult of belief when unaccompanied with convincing evidence. However, all this may be,

Schloss-Charlotten-

of

not uninteresting to know.

At an advanced age the carp

loses

assuming a dull ashy color, while at the same time moss is found to grow upon the head and back.

By long care and training the carp, like many other fish, seem to recognize the golden hue of

its scales,

certain sounds, as for instance,

thev are called to be fed.

when

rich

and

with

all

Indeed, is

delicious

carp

is

served

up

the honors of the household.

with

the Germans, the carp

the beau ideal of a Christmas dish,

just as with

us

is

the turkey.

Great

carp festivals (Karpfen Schmauss) are celebrated in the fall of each year, to

which many people from a distance to regale themselves upon the fish they love so much.

On these oc-

repair

casions all the resources of the culinary art are

drawn upon

to prepare the carp

most appetizing and enticing forms, no trouble being thought too great to make the feast thoroughly enjoyable and a gastronomic success. The in the

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

68 fish selected are

those that weigh about

three or four pounds, as at that period of their

growth they exhibit the most deland delicious flavor. To j) reserve

pond, but

1893.

five

From

three-inch carp.

beginning

small

this

others

the

all

sprang, and were the only carp in this

this in the cooking, the coat of scales

country until 1876, when Spencer F. Baird, Esq., the United States Fish

not removed and besides, when so is not altered much,

the fish to the farmers of the country,

icate

is

prepared, the shape

much more presentable when served upon the table.

thus making a ai^pearance

A is

remarkable peculiarity of the carp

that

it

will live for a great length of

time out of water,

damp

kept moist with

if

that the dairymen in Hol-

land take advantage of this fact and

suspend the

fish

their

in

dairies

The food given them

fatten them.

to is

bread soaked in milk, and under this treatment they are said to fatten quickly, while at the same time the flesh acquires a

The

most delicious flavor. is somewhat

history of the carp

obscure, and though, as already stated, it

is

made

fish either originated

over that continent.

From Germany the

carp was brought United States for the first time

1872, by the late

Mr. J. A. Poppe,

Germany, but at that time residing on his farm in Sonoma, Cal. The specimens he left Europe with were of various sizes and age, to the number of 83. They were bred near a native of

Reinfeld (Holstein).

New York

The carp

Upon

arriving at

there remained alive but 8

out of the whole

lot.

On

the

way

to

San Francisco they remained alive, but after reaching there two more succumbed, and still another on the journey to the farm. There remained then to Mr. Poppe, with which to stock his

is

easily

raised

country, for our climate offers every

that

Danube, or was introduced from Persia into Europe, and gradually became distributed and acclimated all

with stock to breed from, also

states

free of charge.

of its nativity. It appears,

in the

in

Carp are now bred in the so-called Carp-ponds at Washington, D. (J., and distributed free of charge to anyone making application for some.

Several State Fish Commissions have also engaged in this laudable enterprise and furnish the people of their several

The

to the ancients,

however, that the

to the

an tlior.

no men-

was known

tion

imported several other varieties. These were still further supplemented by the importation of others by the varieties

National

grass or moss.

It is said

Commissioner, perceiving the value of

this

opportunity for the culture.

habits, too, of it

in

varied and

is

the

prefers sluggish

ities.

It

warm

location,

such

fish are

readily adapts itself to

new

local-

water, in a

and thrives upon insects, Crustacea and vegetable matter.

If kept in ponds, its omnivorous appetite will be satisfied with anything However, it is that a hog would eat. not to be presumed that such a promiscuous bill of fare would be conducive to the production of a delicately flavored fish, for dieting

is

a most im-

portant essential element in bringing

about a successful

At the at

result.

third year, the

carp arrives maturity and begins to spawn in the

summer

of that year, when the temperature of the water rises to about 70째

F.

and

At

this

time they become lively

vivacious, losing all timidity

precaution, so

that

they easily

prey to numerous enemies. or

more male

fish

follow

Two, a

and

fall

a

tliree

female.

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, chasing her to some shallow place where

an abundance of water

there

is

They

lash the water

plants.

in a lively way,

twisting the posterior portion

of

the

1893.

69

examination, be found covered very profusely with little yellowish eggs about

the size

of

a

pinhead.

These hatch

variously in from six to fifteen days, just

body energetically and shooting through

as the circumstances of the locality

the water near

the temperature of the water

its

surface, with short,

tremulous movements of the fins. At places they gather together in a compact mass, one tumbling over another this ;

is

the

moment when

the female drops

As

able.

kinds of

is

the case with

fish,

it

is

and

favor-

is

many

other

only during the

spawning season that the sexes may be distinguished with certainty.

The skin upon

times, the female probably drops but a

the forehead and jiarts back of the male become covered with tubercles, which again disappear when the spawning time is over.

few hundred eggs at a time and she

About three days

may, therefore, consume days or weeks

young have absorbed the yolk-bag, and begin moving about in search of someBy the following Nothing to eat.

her eggs, which are immediately im-

of the

pregnated by the male.

As

this

process

is

repeated several

even in depositing her

full

quota of

spawn.

A female weighing from 4 to 5 pounds, contains on an average between 400,000 and 500,000 eggs it is on account of this enormous fecundity ;

that the fish has received the

name

of

"carp," which means productive.

The eggs are covered with some adhesive substance, mucous probably, and adhere to anything they may happen

The water-plants in the immediate vicinity of the place where the fish had been rolling about will, upon to touch.

vember,

if

after hatching, the

the circumstances have been

very favorable, the young can have attained a length of ten inches

;

this is

unusual, the rule being a length of from four to six inches.

They

are then of a

brilliant silvery color, the fins present

ing beautiful tints of bright vermilion.

During. the winter, in cold climes, carp do not increase in weight, doing well

if

they hold their own.

They pass

that season in a torpid state, buried in

the

mud

;

forty or fifty group together

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

70

and burrow or dig a

for the purpose

hole in the bottom of the pond in some

while in another place, and ignorantly treated,

as

Why

remain packed

carp

against each other, until the pleasant

terse

suitable place.

This hole

a "kettle," in

which the

downward and

head

weather of them.

is

known

fish

closely

spring again revives

the

In the succeeding

at

fall,

cir-

cumstances will weigh from one and one quarter to two pounds, and may, if everything has been propitious, double that weight.

Some maintain that the carp at an age of 16 or 18 months will weigh eight or nine pounds, but this is extremely doubtful, even should the fish have been bred in the richest pond in America.

Carp mix very readily with other fish

comgoldfish (Carrasius auratus). This great trouble to those

well posted, for the

ored

goldfish

young them,

very

scale-carp if

:

it

not

young and uncolclosely is

resemble

easy to separate

one but remembers that the

carp carries upon the upper pairs of barbies,

which feature

ing in the goldfish.

It is

two

lip is

lack-

necessary to

mention this distinction in order to guard against the worthless hybrids that already exist in this country.

We now

proceed to describe the ac-

knowledged best varieties of carp, all of which, the "golden carp" excepted, are now cultivated in the United States.

Each variety of carp has some peculiarity or other of its own, and it is the proper development of these that makes the successful cultnrist,

when he

studies

an ignominious

is

?

The phrase "the

right fish for

and forcible language.

THE MIRROR OR KING CARP. {('.

rex cyprinorum.)

Der Spiegel Earpfen.

Carp d

This variety has a higher body than is but partly covered with scales.

The latter are of

different sizes

and shapes, some of them

three or four times the size of those of

the

scale

This variation

carp.

carp shed their scales, the fact apparently seeming to prove the idea.

The

is deep black and edged around with

color of the scales

in the centre

silvery white, giving each scale the ap-

pearance of a miniature mirror

The with

locality

when

intelligently

in

one

handled.

hence

where

is

not protected

scales, is of a rich

creamy yellow

skin,

it

on the back, inclining to In some localities this

olive brown. fish is prized

above all other varieties of the family.

This is not so much a matter of taste

many wonld suppose, but depends upon the success with which the fish is

as

cultivated in places that suit

it

best.

THE NAKED OR LEATHERCARP. {C. nuchis.)

Der Leder Karpfen.

As the name

indicates, this variety

very nearly or entirely naked,

is

certain variety of apple or potato

;

the name.

as soft as that of the catfish.

most successfully cultivated

has

given rise to the false impression that

results.

A

cnir.

that of the preceding and

the circumstances that produce the best

is

failure.

the right water" explains the idea in

of their kind, especially with our

mon may cause

it

should the same not apply to the

an age of

16 months, a carj) under ordinary

1893.

Its

is

skin

its

shape

the same as that of the mirror-carp,

differing only in color; the back sides are of a belly white.

and

brownish gray and the

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, THE GOLDEN-CARP.

The

This variety

and

is

tent.

our

Carp

d'or.

very popular in France

THE TENCH.

must not be confounded with goldfish, as it is in no wise

It

common

The

flesh is

gdden

color of

the scales, are due to the circumstances of locality it

and the quality

and

of food

upon

subsists.

With the exception flesh

of the color of

otherwise resembles

scales, it

{Tinea vulgaris.)

salmon-colored

of an exceedingly fine flavor, which,

together with the rich

which

in the city

park of Leipsic, the rear of the Opera House, and known as the "Swanpond " (Schwanen-Teich), is stocked exclusively with blue carp.

cultivated to a considerable ex-

identical.

and

is

pond situated

large

m

{C. aureus.)

Der Gold Karpfen.

71

1893.

the noble carp

Die

Teicli Schleihe.

Le

tanclie.

This species, although very closely allied to the carp proper, differs somewhat from it in the shape of the body (which in young specimens is cylindrical,) and to some extent in habits. It has but one pair of barbies, one situated at each corner of the mouth.

The color

The Tench.

THE BLUE-CARP. {(J.

of the

nohilis.)

Carpe-Ueu.

Der Blaue Karpfen.

This variety, like the one above, also greatly resembles the noble carp. It is highly esteemed, especially so in and city of Leipsic, Saxony.

around the

When

cooked,

it still

retains the blue

though this geniously imitated by placing color of its scales,

is

in-

some

other variety in vinegar for awhile, the scales thus turning blue.

the

as " Karpfen blau," " Blauer Karpfen," the the genuine fish.

fish is

instead

name

of

In such cases

known

of

body

a beautiful golden-green,

is

darker on the back and shading off to a golden-yellow on the abdomen.

It is protected with a coat of innumerable

(some 30,000 or more), covered with a thick coating or skin of slimy mucous, maksmall this

scales

in

ing the

turn,

fish

"as

The head

slippery as an eel."

small, the eyes comparatively so, but of a rich blood -red.

The dorsal fin is small, consisting of is

but one spine and eight rays. It is a beautiful fish, and one very tenacious of life, thus rendering it easily cared for

and a desirable

aquarium.

addition

to

the

n

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

A 50

QtrARTERLY MAGAZINE. Single Copies, 15

a Tear.

cts.

1893.

cts.

Each.

Sample Copies Free.

Advertising Eates on Application.

HUGO MULERTT, 173 Nostrand Av.,

which

muddy, and feeds upon

is

may

such food as

be given the carp.

but

of

is

much

It

with the

latter,

slower growth,

rarely

cultivated together

is

bottom

best in ponds, the

It thrives

of

Publisher,

Brooklyn, N. Y.

exceeding eight pounds in weight.

It has many admirers as an article of diet

and is a profitable, good selling fish.

At the age of three years it commences to spawn, at the same season and after the same manner as the car]).

The eggs are less adhesive than those of that fish, and when extruded, drop to the bottom among the water plants, remaining till hatched. The tench is

Design for an Ac^tarium Ornament.

The part

of the rockwork for below the surface of the water is Tuffstone. the miniature castle and bridge are fired clay.

-

VALLLSNERIA FOR THE WINTEH. Vallisneria spiralis that

sufficient

and is Germany, in

neria about three inches.

carp;

fact being native there.

THE GOLDEN-TENCH. {Tinea aureus.)

Die Goldschleihe.

Le tanche

The ground which is

color

of

native of

chrome-yellow,

speckled

also

is

d'or.

Germany, here and

there with intensely black spots scale

the thickness of about half an inch, has

this variety,

a

is

ornamented with a

;

each

dot

of

formed on the water.

This ice is broken, and the pot containing the root or sets of the Vallisneria removed to an aquarium tank or similar vessel holding water, and kejit in a cool place in the house.

About Christmas this vessel is moved warmer room and placed where

reddish-gold, giving the fish a beauti-

appearance and making it very dean inmate of the aquarium, in which it does remarkably well, becoming very tame. ful

sirable as

{To Be Continued.)

Errata— On page 40°F. instead of 10°F.

51,

third line

to be used

depth to cover the VallisThe tub is placed in the open air, in the garden, or on some roof where the sun will strike it, and left there until ice, to

also very productive, as

much so as the found pretty much all over

is

during the winter and in early spring, should now be collected and planted in a pot, using ordinary gravel, as found in the creeks, for soil.

The pot is set in a tub of pure water of in the laboratory

from below, read

into a it

will get a

possible.

most

at

strong light

— sunlight,

if

Here the sets will start alonce.

If wanted sooner, some

may

be started earlier, but they should have had frost, and a little rest sets

after that.

THE AQUARIUM. OCTOBER, CARNIVOROUS PLANTS. (Continued from

last

secretion in the stomachs of animals as soon as food is introduced. gastric

number.)

Meat

more wonderful were the communications made to the Paris Academy, in the beginning of 1872, by the botanist Still

He claimed that all dead albuonly then caused the leaves to be irritated, after holding it between the Ziegler.

men

would on the leaves by means of forhe claimed it jiroduced no motion

fingers for a short time, but if he

place ceps,

it

He claimed still further that

in the leaf.

by fastening,

at

a.

1893.

small distance from

the leaf, a bit of albumen obtained from

is

altered in appearance in a short

time by this Droficra was

The

fluid.

known

fluid of the

in olden times,

to the bruised j^lant,

mixed with

and salt,

were attributed the properties of drawing blisters.

The leaves were always likened to the stomach of an animal on account of the power of digestion, but it was not thought that they were digestion and

possessed of glands

of

absorbents

up the digested

take

to

material like the stomachs of animals.

Attention was

now drawn

to a species

blood and held in the hand for half an

of plants, the leaves of

hour, the leaf lost

contained a fluid in their hollow interior,

albumen

all irritability for

in twenty-four hours. leaves were

trarv to this the

ceptible to Quinia

wrapped

the

Con-

now

sus

which always

To

the so-called Pitcher pla)i/s.

wonderful

swamp

these

plants, belonging to

tissue

the sj)ecies Neinntlies, Sarracenia and

one cannot think of any other explanation than that of nerve irritability, which is transmitted and calls the muscular ap-

Dardngtonia (see illustration in last number), many jioetical allusions were made, in that they jireserved to the wanderer through the swamps a fresh and invigorating drink, and Darwin noted that the fluid of the Sarracenia

paper.

May

this be as

paratus into activity.

in

it will,

Darwin destroy-

ed the activity of these leaves by means of pricking

them

Heckel,

Montpellier,

of

with

botanists before him, has

the vapors

of

needles,

and

refreshed

thirsty

birds.

One

truly

other

finds that the fluid iu the artistically

shown that

formed pitcher (the contents of which are protected from evaporation and rain by a lid) is full of dead insects, which may be an inducement for insect

like

ether and chloroform

obtunded the sensibility of these plants in the same manner as in the smaller and larger animals. Naturally we can-

eating birds to avail themselves of these

The

and

not claim a nervous centre like in higher

opportunities.

animals, but must be content by at-

the honey-like exudation at the entrance

tributing the actions to reflex nervous'

of these pitchers (those of the California

actions,

who

beheaded frog, withdraw his leg on being

like that of a

will

The

irritated.

same

botanist,

Nuttall,

newly plucked leaves, the same as in those remaining on the plant, but to a less degree, and the excitabilit}' soon subsidBennett states as a settled fact ing. that the exudation is augmented as soon as an insect is caught, similar to the noticed

the

motions

in

brilliant colors

resembling an open reptile's mouth) coax the insects to enter, where they drown in large numbers, Wm. Batrani, in 1791, assumed that the

species

fluid contained in

leaves of one

the j^itcher-shaped

(North American

ladies'

saddle flower) to possess properties of digestion,

and in 1829 Bennett confirmed

these assumptions,while Dr. Mellichamp, of S'^uth Carolina,

proved

it

to be so

THE AQUARIUM,

74

He

without doubt. as

having a styptic

describes this fluid

being poison-

taste,

ous, or at least liaving a narcotic influ-

Insects that have fall

ence on insects.

en into this fluid lose the power of motion in half a minute, but will recover if soon removed from its influence.

The process of digestion, he claims, is

nothing more than a form of decom-

The

position. varieties

of

juices

many

the

of

pitcher jilants found in

OCTOBEIi,

1893.

caught and held from 18 to 20 hours before it was again let fall.

This high degree of sensibility was only noticed in At a low a very warm atmosphere. temperature several of the leaves reclosed, and this also occurred when the plant was removed from the

mained

Since this Prof. Cohn, of Bres-

water. lau,

has discovered in a plant found in

the ditches of ilar

meadows in Germany sim-

phenomena.

or Bladderwort

albumen, raw meat, cartilage, etc., was really wonderful.

The pieces were fully dissolved in from two to three days and that more readily in the pitcher shaped leaf, than when the fluid was put in a therefore, Dr. Hooker, glass vessel. comes to the conclusion that the glands on the interior of the leaf secretes a

in several species in

erties

digesting

of

boiled

(

Helm

This plant, the

greenhouses have been examined by Dr. Hooker, and he found that their prop-

rfricularia vuhjaris),

(which, by the way,

is

very abundant

many

parts of the

characteristic trait of preying, seems to

United States), possessed small bladders or dilatations on the thread-like leaves under the water. The bladders have valve-like openings, which can only be opened from the outside, giving easy entrance to small animals, but j)reventThese bladders, when ing all escape. opened, are filled with the skeletons of water fleas, worms, smallest >jf crabs and waterbugs, the softer parts of which having been absorbed by the plant. We can

be limited to the small family of sun-

obtain a very excellent description of

dew

these plants of prey in a book,

fluid containing a substance similar to

This

pepsin of the animal stomach.

plants, to

which

class

Venus'

fly-

The head gardener, lin,

f i-om

masterly pen of Emii Schmidt.

trap belongs.

B. Stein, of Ber-

noticed a plant in the South of Eu-

conclusion,

we would draw the

the

In atten-

tion of the readers to the pleasure that

rope with the same characteristics. This

can be derived from the observation of

plant was introduced from India about

the chase and waylaying of these plants.

the same time as the Drosera. it

received

is

Aldrovanda

The name vesiculosa.

this plant

growing

in

any

plants

He

from the swamp with considerable of

in ditches in

the earth or moss adhering to the roots,

(See illustration in last number.)

found

They may be found in swamps climate.

Taking these

warm

great masses, not far distant from Ry-

and planting them in a pot containing

brink,

and convinced himself that every closed leaf contained an insect.

This 2)lant showed that in water of a tempera-

the same sort of

ture of (30째 C.) 86째 Fahrenheit, to be the

some time. We have amused ourselves for weeks with these plants, which always showed the dewlike exudation and retain their sensibility.

We can find no finer ornament

most sensitive of the whole family, because he only had to touch the leaf with a wire to

make

it

close itself along the

central rib most energetically.

thrown on

tlie

A

pin

surface of the leaf was

soil,

they

may

very

readily be kept for

for

our

What

Terraria than this sun-dew.

pleasure

it

is,

after

feeding the

Gold-fish in the morning, to also present

'

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, this plant with a small

and

see

it

relish

it.

meat

of

^^iece

Proof against the

1893.

What

himself again." for

the water and

its

weeds do

the

occupants, the

prayers of the fanatics on fasting, we

land vegetation does for the air

take our seat at the table, and think

animals

and

that a fine roasted duck

poison

while vegetation absorbs the

is not harmful on Friday, because the flowers themselves do not refuse a small beef steak.

WEEDS AND WATER FOWLS

IN

RELATION TO WATER. It is pleasant, if only for the sake of

good word pond, so writes a gentleman of our acquaintance, runs a stream of 25 gallons per minute of

variety, to be able to say a for

weeds.

Into

my

pure water, from a drain which

I

cut

12 feet deep, some 30 odd years ago.

Weeds

will

thrive

and grow

pond, and we have annually to rake

which

hold purposes.

one day, "

is

:

man,

creatures

and reconverts them wholesome food and fuel for man and beast, filling the atmosphere with that precious oxygen without which man and animals and other living creatures could no longer exist.

So it is in the vast ocean, whose living occupants and vegetation probably exceed in quantity that which is on land.

We owe to the river vegetation much injurious gases, into

of the purity of water.

It is

the excess

from our towns which are powers of appropriation.

of impurities

beyond

its

They

AUTOINTOXICATION IN GOLDFISH.

look very beautiful as they grow in the pellucid water,

living

this

in

out large quantities of tiiem.

it,

other

used for house-

Said a visitor to

me

Since last winter we received nearly a hundred inquiries from

all

parts of

you had a pair of swans your pond would be free of weeds ;" so a kind friend presented me with a pair

the country regarding a disease which

and very soon they cleared the pond,

case

picking the weeds up by the roots and My family were defeeding on them.

sufficient interest

If

with the graceful swans and

lighted

many choice The symptoms were in each We deem it of described alike.

caused the death of a great goldfish.

to our readers to de-

some space in these columns to its cause which, we hope, may tend to prevote

the removal of weedy obstructions to

vent this fatal disease, as

its

cure seems

but although the pond was free of weeds, the water was no longer pure and pellucid, but most decidedly

as yet out of the question,

'I'he fol-

boating

muddy

;

in taste,

and when the steam

issued from the kettle, the smell of the

mud was unmistakable. Well, no one thought it could be the swans but at last I came to that conclusion, and despite family and other remonstrances, ;

returned them to their original owner.

After a short period the weeds reappeared, and as they increased in bulk,

the water gradually assumed cidity

and purity, and

*â&#x20AC;˘'

its

pellu-

Richard was

lowing typical letter sent us recently by one of our patrons describes the disease very clearly, and it will be recognized by many of us at once as the " forlorn hope."

The lady

writes as follows

:

â&#x20AC;˘'Taking advantage of past kindness, 1 write to ask for information regarding a disA white ease prevalent among my goldfish. scum or mould appears on the tail, most frequently, but sometimes on the tins. It eats toward the body until the tail is destroyed, and the fish then dies. I can stay the disease, I find, by salt-bath, and carefully removing the mould, but the fish finally dies. It has

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

76

proved very fatal to mine. Often I do not have a case for some weeks, and then it will again appear. Can you explain the cause or give any remedy for the evil ? I keep my fish out of doors, some in cypress tank, others in a fifteen hundred gallon cement pond. My fish have been changed about and mixed so I cannot say that my trouble originated in any particular receptacle. All my water plants are in fine growing condition, and that I have always been told was a proof of healthy surroundings."

The cause

of

this

disease

is

self-

1893.

their excitement

is

the oxygen

that

in

when

increased; but

can becomes ex-

hausted then they are nearly scared to death they struggle then for dear life, ;

try to leap out of their horrible prison,

but are prevented by the closed

lid of

the can.

must seem an earthquake, the lifted in the wagon.

On their the depot or to the store the jolted about in a more or less

With

to the

a jolt, that

fish

little

poisoning (Autointoxication), brought

way.

about by over-fatigue and scare. We have frequently had it among goldfish, especially among imported stock or such

aerating the water, puts a

This, while

much

it

can

is

way

to

can

is

rough

has the benefit of

new

exhausted

tax on

that

they have to use what little strength they may have left, to swim in the swinging

dealers.

water, against a current of water as

was bought from inexperienced Stock of our own breeding or that which has been raised and shi23j)ed to us by careful breeders has never been affected by it.

This seems to be proof that the germs of this disease are laid while the fish are cooped up in large numbers in an insufficient quantity of water while on the road, and by rough handling of the cans containing them, all of which causes a severe shock to their nervous system.

Let us see what these little creatures, that are intended to become our pets, are expected to stand from ignorant or heartless people.

Goldfish are raised in quiet, sunny

ponds,

They

generally

pleasantly

are seldom scared,

located.

and when they

are, the scare is not very severe,

because

know they can find shelter in deeper water or among aquatic plants they

if

need be. Neither are such occasional

scares of long

enough duration

serious effects.

when They

The

to

removed from their ponds. then unavoidably more or less

fish are

are

out; and too

when caged-up

many

others

in

of

fish

;

it

were.

In a perfectly exhausted condition such

fish

arrive

at

the

Here

store.

they are, in most cases, liberated in a very rude fashion.

"slammed" tied

The

by simply

being

can,

out of the wagon,

"dumping"

is

emp-

its

con-

tents, helter-skelter into a tank.

If

such a journey requires bnt one or

two hours, the fish will recover from the shock if afterward under proper care (See particulars under " Transportation " in The Gold Fish and its Culture), but when such fish are again put under similar tortures, to last for days or weeks without their accustomed nourishment and without rest to recuperate their strength, their system

completely disarranged,

their

and muscles are inflamed, the culation of the blood

is

is

nerves free cir-

hindered, and

the fish begins to decompose, although still alive.

It

is

a well

known

fact that wild

dark cans

animals can be chased to death by dogs.

Even if they are not caught and killed outright, they often die sooner or later

their kind.

thereafter of the effects of the great

scared by the process of fishing witli

have

trouble begins

first

the already

them

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, which their nervous system experienced. Excited animals consume oxygen faster than it can be supscare or shock

plied; the consequence

animal which

the fatigued

self-poisoning "

is

called

(Autointoxication).

This is what causes the " haut-goAt " in game, so much admired by gourmands, which really is nothing less than the beginning of decomposition in the liv-

much

traveling

long

cans

aerated

in

insufficiently

distances, are

stag in a chase

and scared by hounds.

individuals

first

fatigued die

of

as

as

a

is

Weaker

suffocation

;

the stronger ones linger longer, their

become

gills

finally die of

and

inflamed,

these

consumption, while others

have their interior structures ranged by innumerable minute

No

visible sign

indicates

slow, appearing very

which j)roduce sweeter or more truly more satisfaction than the Freesias.

Nor are there any of the winter-forcing bulbs that are more easily grown, and in consequence

beautiful flowers or give

this terrible

tired.

one continues to cultivate them

ties

year after year having once

made

their

acquaintance.

The stems branch

producing which make up very gracefully in bouquets and freely,

several clusters of flowers,

other

floral

work, their beautiful forms,

colorings and delicious per-

exquisite

for these purposes, as well as for win-

At

last,

dow garden

decoration.

Another ad-

mirable point in their favor

keeping

for

quality,

suitable

is

their

when cut and

placed in vases of water they will keep perfect for two weeks, the buds open-

ing as well as

One

they appear as a white mould

when death soon

relieves the

poor sufferer.

Fish that are intended for pleasure or science should be handled gently and carefully at all

times.

And

agree that only healthy

have no

fear, are

fit

objects

The Aquaeium

kept on the plant.

this

"The

beautiful

truly

flower, says

Freesia seems to have been

hair, at her throat or breast, or in the

button-hole of the ruder

human

being.

trumpet-shaped,

or

eight florets,

fish,

that

one

to

two inches long, appear

for

our

does not reach

you will oblige the publisher by informing him of the fact, and a duplicate copy will be mailed to you at once.

:

de-,

signed by nature for wear in a lady's

Six

others.

in proper time,

of

if

author, in writing of the merits

we

since

hobby, dealers should see their interest in supplying their customers with no

If

the

before

unite in one or more

structure,

you

place

yearly

florists

flower-growing public, there are none

fume rendering them highly

at the base of the fins, destroying their

all

ing

sores.

body, generally along the back of the fish, or

win-

of

ones and open outside of the

little sores

larger

list

disar-

condition, except that the victim moves

these

In the ever-lengthening

of these combinations of desirable quali-

ing animal.

Goldfish

FREESIAS.

ter-flowering bulbs which the enterpris-

that a chemi-

process takes place in the blood of

cal

'^

is

77

1893.

close

together at the end of the stem, but instead of being clustered they

grow

in

a row. The stem bends at a right angle just where the first floret appears, so no matter how carelessly the stem is

thrust into coiffure, dress or buttonhole,

it

hangs

makes the its

bloom.

as if

on a hook, and

greatest possible display of

Two

or three sprays of the

Freesia worn at a party or theatre will

.

—

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

78

give occasional relief from close air, and a little cluster of it in water will retain

bloom and fragrance for a fortnight, the unopened buds all coming into bloom as the older flowers decay and fall."

A

moderately good, light, sandy

soil,

the same as used for other bulbs, with good drainage and plenty of sunlight,

meets

its

requirements, and after the

bulbs are potted

is

it

not necessary to

them away in the dark to form roots, as they commence growing right If away and begin flowering early. planted at intervals from September to November they will give a succession of bloom during the Avinter months.

U.

flowers

various

of

from

colors,

fine

white to deep orange, shaded, blotched, straw-color, etc., and are very large.

Mayfloioer.

WATER The

LILIES.

beautiful fiower beds of Lincoln

Out

aeas.

The lower

Jet.

overhanging the edges of the bowl like The mass of Lycopoclium. effect was very beautiful and novel.

a great

The

basin in

early

morn-

surrounded these ponds. the

known

We

noticed

and

nearly

all

ties in

the collection and nearly

species

varie-

front of

tained besides other choice aquatics the

most

many

W^e saw a great tains

and

lily

ponds

with

the

curious

In order of

The Aquarium, we

will

you, free hy mail, one imported Dutch single Hyacinth bulb-, choice of color left to you.

Shipment of Fish, Eggs, etc., from N. Y. State Hatchery.

Lake Trout Fry

2,715,000 805,000 .. ..1.815,000

.

Brook

Matured Bass Frv.

California "

Pike Bullheads

..

•

"

145,(Kio

2(),7o0

8,370,000

750

eggs, etc.,

fish,

:

Whitefish Fry. .18.850,000 " ... 4,355.000 Ciscoes Muscalonge'- .. 2,150,000 .

Lake Trout Eg^s " Brown '• Brook Shrimp

Total production of fry, eggs, etc

Monroe

500.

Wm.

H. Bowman, Commissioner

under

the Caledonia (N. Y.)

Hatchery for the year 1893

upon with great admiration.

While in Washington this summer we saw the Parrot's feather(Myriophyllbasin in front of the

fol-

to

tray-like leaves of the plant, were looked

The

the

lowing offer: For every name and address you send to us of a person interested in aquarium, window gardening or natural history, who is not already a

"

proserpinacoides) very advantage-

the circulation

to increase

The Aquarium, we make

••

ously used.

summer and

^ HYACINTH BULBS WITHOUT MONEY.

Brown

um

beautiful foun-

this

issue.

Total shipment of

bloom,

new

shall return to this subject in our next

m}' supervision, from

in

largest

All the

varieties were represented.

of

Regias

and

colored

brilliantly

nymphaeas we ever saw.

them were in bloom when we saw them.

As could be expected the two Victoria

all

AVhite

the

House, also that in the grounds, con-

send

From

of these contained the

Parrot feather, growing luxuriantly and

subscriber of

ing until night the World's Fair visitors

nymph-

two smaller ones, bowl shaped, in which the water falls after leaving the

attention from the ponds

the aquatic plants.

planted with

of the center of this large

Park, Chicago, could not detract the

containing

is

basin, rise, arranged above each other,

cheap

so

that every one can afford to pot up a good supply of them.

The Giant Bermuda Freesias, introduced last year, form a magnificent strain of mixed hybrids, producing

Treasury building

various rich colored varieties of

set

Fortunately, the bulbs are

S.

1893.

,

1,030,050 2,50,000

150,000 1,500,000

41,563,-

A. Green, Superintendent.

in charge.

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, DAFFODILS GROWN IN WATER. When

planting your bulbs for the

window garden to plant

this fall, don't

forget

some Daffodil Bulbs (Narcissus

trumpet major) in a dish filled with pebbles and water.

Treat the same as

H.MULERTl.

1893.

79

you would Chinese sacred

lilies,

ing them to light at once.

bloom

excellently

this

planted at intervals of

way, a

Snail

will if

weeks they may be had in bloom from Christmas until Spring.

Fish, male (Macropodus Venustus.)

Ramshoru

and

couple of

.

The Paradise

expos-

They

aud Hydra.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sagittaria

nataus "

All l^atural Size.

New

Era,

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

80

THE FISHERIES BUILDING.

IN

When

a

man who

is

interested in fish

nets comes along he asks a good

many

but the ladies only say, "Oh, Are you in how lovely this netting is long is How exhibit ? charge of this questions

;

netting

much

is it

?

How

a yard

'i

wide

is it ?

How

He sells it by the Do yon have all

pound, how funny.

Could I get some by sending colors ?

Which kind do you think for it ? would look best in a pink room ? How much would that kind be ? and this

and that over there ? I notice that which is hung away up there out kind

?

of reach has a different tint

gauzy and

delicate.

Oh my,

;

it

so

is

he says

it's

Well, give me dust that makes that.

I'm going to send for some fish netting as soon as I get

your card, please.

home

—a

lot

curtain.

questions.

of

— enough

it

for a large

Thanks for answering my Good ^m.''— Fishing Ga-

production of

stimulate the

food for the young hot

the

against

fish,

natural

but protect

During

sun.

it

cool

nights the jar should be in a sheltered position.

When

!

fish

1893.

the young are about three or

four weeks old, you can begin to feed

them on powdered

I.

-food

X. L.

fish -food,

prepared

fish

powdered,

and small mosquito

(wafers),

The feeding should

also larvae.

be frequent, say

four to six times a day, but each time very small portions should be given.

A temperature of 60 to 90° F. is right for

young

fish,

all

provided that they

have a sufficient quantity of water and access to shade, but 70 to 80° F.

is

best

you find that you feed too much, you should remove the surplus by means of a dipping tube, at

for them.

If

We

once in three days.

least

don't

agree with you in thinking that you are

over anxious about your

numbers

fish

;

we have who

patrons of your sex

of

much

interest in their aquarium do in their garden or greenhouse, and we are pleased to acknowledge that not a few of them are very

zette.

take as

as they

Queries.

successful fish culturists.

Miss

B — Use .

nothing

else

but table

and water to clean the glass of your It will remove any growth aquarium. or sediment from the glass without salt

We

cheerfully

answer

at

once,

all

made in regard to Aquariums Window Gardening if return postage

queries

or is

scratching

enclosed.

Miss A. fish

—

The Ch.

swim about

After the young goldin the water,

which

is

generally about three days after they

were hatched, they should be separated and only ten or a dozen of them allowed in a vessel, containing about two gallons of water, with aquatic plants, at the bottom.

and sand

Place such a nursery-

jar in a very light position in order to

it.

Sagittaria Francis

described in our last

M. which we

number

is

still

bloom in our aquarium. To-day, September 9th, it has its ninth flower

in

spike.

-^ ^Yitll this

scription. to be

number

legins a

new sub-

Those 'who Icnow themselves

in arrears are kindly requested

remit.

to

I,

-New

Aquarmm,

Self-Sustaining

•^>L

"""^^ ^^a ^icJ^"^'' CATALOGUE FREE.

^t^-

Ghoice Bulh g Dutch

P

for' Roman

and

f lanling.

all

Hyacinths,

Tulips,

and

Freesia

CHINESE SACRED LILY OUR OWN IMPORTATION AQ7ASIUU FLAITTS

AITS

SEEDS,

NEW

Narcissus,

Crocus,

Lilies.

{Chin. A^ardss2is.)

at very

low

rates.

OBiTAUSITTAL FISE.

CBOF.

SEND FOR PRICES.

HUGO MULERTT, BROOKLYN,

173 Nostrand Avenue,

N. Y,

The kericaD Magazine of

Nataral ScieDce.

It is a Magazine for Naturalists, in every sense of the word.

THEY ALL SAY

IT'S

THE

BEST.

Subscription Price, only S5 cents per year.

Monthly. ,_ _ 2l7

'

Fish AND OVSTfcRCULTURfe.

•.

t_

DRPAOW;\y pR^eSH •

NEW

(\no SftLT

YORK.

The only publication

In

Several features are being intro__^

as

America exclusively devoted to everything pertainmg A valuable medium for the advertiser. Try it I

to FISH and FISHING.

Sabscriptloni price $l.SO per year, post paid.

8EIIB FBR

SAMME

COPY.

Q. E.

JENNINGS^

make this magazine good and better than many of the Sample higher priced magazines. copy sent for stamp. Circulation, duced, which

W(\TtR AM6UPl<i.BeATI(iir®«*i

(Established 1884.)

PUBLISHER.

3,500 monthly.

;BED B. STEABITS & CO., Fulslishers, Sac City, la., and Des Moines,

la.

.

J

W. F

.

KE

S

I

,

MANUFACTUKER OF

K QUH R 39 and 41

I

H

PARK PLACE, NEW YORK.

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

and Rock Fish, Turtles, etc.,

IN

THEIR SEASON.

Japanese Gold Fish ALSO

Aquaria Plants,

all varieties.

Full line of Grottoes,

Arches, Rocks,

etc., car-

ried in stock.

Also Manufacturer of Fountains, Drinking Fountains, Settees, Chairs,

Lamp Posts, Railings, etc.

GRATIS UPON APPLICATION. FURNISHED CATALOGUE

SIFTED BIRD SEED.

MCALLISTER'S

YOU WANT BIRD SEED FREED FROM

IF

DIRT,

GRAVEL

and

SUPERIOR PREPARED

MOTES,

FOOD MOCKIHG-BIRD —

ASK YOUR GROCER OR DRUGGIST FOR

MCALLISTER'S,

.4.

f

— FOR

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

This seed

is

Mocking-birds, Thrushes, Blackhirds, Robins, Nightingales, Skylarks,

Birds which can sing and won't sing, are made to sing with

SlieDpaid's Song RBstorer, OR A TREAT. A.lao

RND nUU

+

SOPT-BIUL. BIROS.

+

This preparation is the purest, healthiest, and cheapest bird food known, its 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.

an Invigorating Tonic for Canary Birds, and all Seed Birds.

;

Ooldfinches, liinnets

every case restore to their This natural notes birds who have lost their song from moulting:.

For breedexcessive or the effects of cold ing Birds and their young, and old Birds it is invaluaand improving their voice their strengthening ble, plumage. A-lso valuable for Taming Birds, preparation will in

SHEPPARD'S GENUINE PREPARED FISH FOOD.

A

perfectly pure article,— specially prepared for feeding Gold Fish, etc. kept in aquaria or globes. ,

FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS AND AT ALL BIRD STORES.

Hv^oJLLXjISTEK/, FLO"WER AND GARDEN SEED, ETC., in. £3.

DEALER

32

BET

STItSET,

-

IN

-

•

NE'W 70BK.