The Aquarium 3/33 1894

A QUARTERLY

MAGAZINE Edueatioq and

I^eciieation.

50 Gents a Tear.

Single Copies, 25 Cents each.

HUGO MULERTT, BROOKLYN, Copyright.

N. Y.

All Rights Reserved.

Y., Entered at the Post-Offlce at Brooklyn. N. as second class mail matter.

ACh^'^-

son"^^

HEADQ CARTERS FUR THE

\

FIJSER

Gold Fish, Japanese Fantails, AND

ALL KINDS OF AQUATIC PLANTS. For

Descriptive, Illustrated Catalogue, send two cents,

EDWARD

ADDRESS,

SCHMID,

S. AQUARIUM DEPOT,

NO. 712

TweM

Street, W.

W.,

WflSHINGTDN,

D.

C

NICHOLAS WAPLER, IMPORTER OF

China and Glassware, EARTHENWARE AND LAVA GOODS,

French Crystal Grlass Shades.

Manufacturer of Round, Oval and Square Glass Shades, Fish Globes, Aquaria, Glass Jars and Floating Animals.

NEW YORK. m 50 BARCLAY STREET, OUR SPECIAL OFFER OF GOLD FISH 2 Single 2

tail,

i

Fantail,

i

J^IwoMer,

i Scaleless, with 2 boxes Fish Food and Also, a fine Canary and Cage for $4.00.

Transparent,

Bunches Water Plants, $2.00.

JUMPING BEANS,25JEm

They are a natural

Kun from

Mexico, and jump about without any cause or assistance.

We have a fine variety of Japanese Fantails, Telescope, Paradise, Scaleless and Transparent Gold Fish. Canaries, Parrots, Cockatoos, Japanese Robins, Fire Weavers, Java Sparrows, Cardinals, etc.

Send 10 cents for book on gold fish. Send 2 cents for catalogue. Send for free circular.

THE 908

MQUKRIU7VY,

PENN AVENUE,

PITTSBURGH, PA.

WE SOLICIT TOUR TRADE.

^Mv^'^S

Vol.

OCTOBER,

III.

Copyright

1894.

No.

1894.

A DREDGING EXCURSION.

steam, awaiting our arrival.

Among

received by the

the various excursions that

had been arranged by the

com-

local

mittee for the entertainment of the

vis-

members at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at Brooklyn, were two " Dredging Excursions." The iting

United States Fish Commission steamer " Fish Hawk," which had been placed at the disposal of the association for the

purpose, had come from Wood's Holl, Mass.,

York

We who

summer

its

esjiecially for

were

among

station,

New

to

the purpose.

the party of thirteen

availed themselves of this rare op-

portunity of witnessing deep-sea dredg-

'

,

us to United States ' and presented Fish Commissioner M. McDonald.

Just twenty minutes after ten o'clock

we

taking

the pier,

left

the

direct

" grounds," which were on the famous " Cholera Banks," twelve miles from Sandy Hook, and about ten miles from Rockaway Beach.

Steaming down the bay, the handsome North German Lloyd steamer " Kaiser Wilhelm II," passed us, fairly loaded with passengers going to Europe, and when in the lower bay the scenery became less interesting, the course to the selected

This was the jaw of a so-called man-eater; it was yet fresh and was spread over a Avooden frame to dry.

The jaw was wide enough to swallow a twelve-year-

modern

science has produced, and

on board of a vessel built for the purpose.

In the morning* of August

New York

city

by

its

18tli

When we

landing, Dr.

we

boat

ferry

for Staten Island.

rived at

Capt.

aft

captain showed us one of his pets, as

all

bound

were

experienced hands,

executed by

with

left

sel,

We

commander of the vesPratt, U. S. N. who led us

the apparatus and machinery

ing,

that

83.

All Rights Reserved.

Patten,

ar-

the

scientist in charge of the biological part

aboard the "Fish trip, received

Hawk"

during our

us and guided us to the

United States lighthouse the " Fish Hawk " was

pier,

lying,

where under

he called

it.

huge shark, a

old boy right easily. The monster had been caught accidentally a few days before, and when it was opened its stomach was found to contain about half a barrel

full

of

beef

and about a barrelful bones he

may have

following one

of

bones, ribs,

etc.,

of codfish.

The

picked up while

the

large

steamers

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

130

1894.

across the ocean and the fish he caught

white

near the shore.

while covered glass jars (Mason's jars)

Although the weather was very beauand the surface of ''old ocean" only

tiful

slightly disturbed, four of our party,

a,mong them a lady, had to pay tribute to Neptune as soon as we had passed Sandy Hook. They were not able to leujoy the gambols of the porpoises as they played immediately in front of our bow, shooting hither and thither and turning summersaults, showing their white bellies in the bright sunshine.

At noon we passed Sandy Hook lightand now the preparations were begun for the work before us.

Below deck,

in the fore part of the vessel,

eight of the crew

the " Fish

— the

entire crew of

Hawk " numbers

dressed in the regulation of the United States

Navy

thirty- five,

summer

—

attire

got two long

swinging tables in readiness. These Avere on the right side of the vessel this time, because the wind came from that direction,

and

the big opening,

the

''port," (see illustration) on this side

was to be used

On

to haul in the trawl.

each of these were placed several

of various

dishes

and in

of assorted sizes

sizes,

number,

liberal

were set on an elevated place in the vessels containing middle of the ship preserving fluid and buckets filled with fresh and others with sea water were ;

placed handy.

This

having been attended

all

to, to

the satisfaction of the officer in charge of this deck, the

men were

ordered on

the uj)per deck to join their comrades.

Here, personally directed by the captain

United States Fish Commission Steamer "Fish

ship,

china

Hawk" (From

and

his

U.

Report

S. F. C.

officers,

they got the trawling

The "

trawl-

put in position.

This

apparatus in readiness.

beam" was

first

1881.)

wooden pole, projecting from the first mast forward (towards the bow), is

a strong

with wheels inserted in each end, over

which a in double

moved

in

tration.)

steel

cable

runs.

so

that

pivots,

It it

works

can

be

many directions. (See illusThe machine that works the

cable was adjusted

and the "trawl"

fastened to the cable.

The

trawl

is

a

bag but without a bottom to it. At its mouth it fits an iron frame seven feet wide and two feet net, shajDed like a

THE AQUAEIUM, OCTOBER,

1894.

131

Some of the Specimens that were Caught.

high.

It is fifteen feet long,

narrower towards the end.

becoming

The meshes

and also Near the frame the meshes are one and a of the net are of different sizes

of different thicknesses of twine.

quarter

inches,

I'unning

gradually

smaller until they are about one-quarter of an inch at the end.

The strong

iron

frame is mounted on two braces, one at each end, not unlike the runners of a sleigh, which tend to keep the frame in

an upright position when dragged over The trawl being fastened the bottom. to the cable it was spread on deck and a heavy weight of cast iron, about twenty-four inches in length and shaped for the 25urpose, was placed inside of it nearest the end and tied securely with Thus the bottom of the strong rope. trawl and also a sinker for same was formed.

While these preparations were going

THE AQUAEIUM, OCTOBER,

132

on another

man had

gotten the appa-

ratus in order to take

'^

soundings."

is on the opposite side where it is out of the way It is an apparatus made of the trawl.

From a bronze of bronze and steel. wheel runs a steel wire on which hangs

This apparatus of the vessel,

heavy bronze-covered cylindrical a weight with a hollow bottom. (See This bottom is partly illustration.)

Immediately filled with soft tallow. over this weight, also fastened to the steel

wire,

hangs

a peculiarly

shaped

thermometer, which is securely covered Above this with a folding mantle. thermometer, secured by a twin hook, hangs a little ball. When this apparatus is used the weight strikes the bottom with a shock which opens the mantle of the thermometer. After a certain lapse of time the little ball is loosened,

slides

down

the

wire

and

mantle again. The temjoerature at the bottom is thus registered and the sounder is raised.

1894.

which had been raised overboard was suspended from the beam, about ten feet away from the vessel now the order was given to lower the same. The excellent discipline that prevailed on board was here manifested. Everything went with the regularity and promptness as if it was an artillery drill everyone knew his place and his particular duty a respectful silence prevailed, just as if something of great importance was to be done. We must confess that it touched certain chords in the heart of the old soldier, and reminded us of by-gone days. still

;

;

;

It

was just 2 P.M. when the net touch-

ed the water. The engine was

still

stop-

ped, and the steamer drifting with the

wind this drifting was the only power employed to drag the trawl along the bottom of the ocean.

After twelve ;

minutes the order came to raise the This was done with great rapidity by means of the little engine next

closes the

trawl.

According to the captain's calculation we had arrived over our grounds, the engines were stopped aiid the sounder was "let go." At this order the weight went down with great rapidity, and when it had struck the bottom the apparatus above registered a depth of thirteen fathoms (78 feet).

The quartermaster called " time "from

trawl had dredged over about two hun-

the wheel house, and the sounder was raised.

Upon examination

of its bot-

tom, small pebbles, about the^size of beans, were found adhering to the tallow. This proved that

we were on the

desired bank.

Now

the quartermaster stated from

to the mast.

dred and

(See

fifty

illustration.)

of

feet

Now deck

the place of interest was on the

We

beloAv.

stairs to see

all

went quickly down

the trawl hauled aboard.

It was yet suspended in midair, the bottom of it being just before the port, when we arrived. This the men grabbed and pulled to the deck. Here the iron weight was quickly untied, the net lifted, and in a second later all it contained lie before our wondering eyes on deck, forming a little pile of gravel, sea shells, etc., from among which the

living creatures soon

We

made

the temperature of the atmosphere and

missioner, Dr. Patten,

water surface, condition of the sky, di-

itors, as far as

recorded by another

officer.

which was

The

trawl

their appear-

picked them up, the

ance.

etc.,

bottom during

this time.

the wheel house the correct time of day,

rection of the wind,

The

and

all

Com-

the vis-

the sea-sickness did not

prevent them, taking a hand in

it, each one selecting to his particular fancy

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

133

1ÂŤ94.

whatever was of most interest to him.

The first dredge brought up several species of crabs, inchiding three species

a crab were overlooked; the occupation

of Hermit crabs, and three fine speci-

some of us were

mens

itor

of

Rock

some

crabs. Starfishes,

bright red, others violet, yellow, brown or gray, of

of

from :f-inch to 8 some excellent specimens

all sizes,

inches across

;

Sand-dollars,

Scallops,

sizes,

all

Holoturium, Sea anemones, ^several young Hake and about a dozen Skate eggs in which the embryos were a

white

plainly visible

when

up against the

the eggs were held

light

these specimens Avere

As quickly as picked up they

of picking

up specimens was

so fascin-

ating that the positions assumed real comical

;

one

got so deeply interested in

it

by vis-

that

he dropped his eye-glasses, lead -pencil, pocket knife, match-safe, in fact, all the contents of his pockets, including

some small change, right among the Crab, Fish and Sand-dollars.

This second haul duplicated many we had already found in the

things first.

In addition

it

adult Skates, about

contained several fifteen

inches in

were deposited in the dishes on the containing fresh sea water, where they soon got over their scare, and where their motions could be watched.

The Commissioner and Dr. Patten tables,

were now much besieged men half a dozen questions were jiut to them at once, and every one of tliem was answered in a most satisfactory manner.

Dr. P. cut the horny shells of the Skate eggs open and separated the embryos from the yolk and the albumen, describing, while he was doing this in a dish ;

of clear water, the different parts. little

The

Skates were in different stages of

develojiment, from one to two inches in length;

all

Wandering of the Left Eye of Young Flounder.

(After Benecke.)

however were far enough de-

veloped to show the characteristic shape Being highly inter-

length, a Sculpin, several Tautog, small

specimens, the doctor prepared

some colonies of Hydromedusfe and Anthozoa and two species of marine worms.

The third haul brought among some Sea urchins and other specimens some full grown Flounders and also several

of their parents.

esting

them

at once in fluid,

to be used as

museum specimens. By this time

the re-

fuse of the dredge having been shoveled

overboard, the trawl appeared again in

was promptly heap of ''wonders of the deep" was soon surrounded by us all, each searching, feelfront of the port.

hauled in

and

the

It

second

ing or scratching in the pile as if it contained precious stones. Such little things as being pinched in the finger by

Pipefish, a different species of Spidercrab,

young

of these interesting fish, the lat-

from one to two but No. 1 of the different stages of the wandering of one of their eyes, as rej)resented in our drawing. The young flounders swim in ter

ranging in

inches,

sizes

showing

all

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

134

their first infancy until their skeletons

are perfected, in

same

position as other

with their backs up. After that they swim leaning towards their fishes do,

left side until this is finally

be their under side.

During

formed

to

this period

the left eye, not being used, leaves

its

1894.

house wharf again at 7.30 P. M. one could see by the countenances of

and

all

when we left board, that United States Fish Commissioner McDonald and Captain Pratt had succeeded in making this day a the hearty hand-shaking

memorable one

to all the participants.

socket and, gradually crossing over the yet soft skull, settles permanently

the right or upper side of the

fish.

on

HYACINTH CULTURE

The

IN

PIOLLAND.

lower side not being exposed to light

remains colorless or white, while the

We

advise everybody, who, sooner or

upper side takes the protective color of the surrounding bottom in which the These young specimens fish burrows. being, as is shown, of especial value, were also preserved by Dr. P. for fur-

later,

intend visiting Europe, not to

ther use.

fulness to the landscape,

The captain now ordered the engine of the "Fish Hawk" to go ahead for

different

minutes and then a fourth dredge was made. When this came aboard it contained besides many shell fish two

degree from their next neighbors, the

five

omit Holland, which neat

mills, its

a very inter-

is

With

esting country.

many wind-

its

roofed houses and

tile

beautiful cattle that impart such peace-

The

rope.

it

entirely

is

from any other part

of

Eu-

people, too, differ to such a

Germans and the

rocks, the latter covered with interest

Belgians, that one an ocean was between them. In Holland everybody seems to cultivate plants and flowers.

One can-

ing low forms of marine

not pass a house, in city or country,

species of sponge

and two or three huge

life.

These had torn the net to such an extent that no further dredges could be made.

The ''Fish Hawk" was turned homeward, the trawling apparatus taken down again, and we all had our hands full to care for those specimens which we had selected to

stones, however,

think

could

without seeing well cared for flowering or foliage plants in people's windows.

They

are generally

specimens

made

signed jardiniers or of real bronze.

each other

The anemones which Dr.

other in

had under

as

i^orcelain

single

pots

(Delft) or in groups in artistically de-

take along for our individual collections.

P.

grown

fancy

in

— one

of

same material seem to rival

Peoj^le

is

trying to surpass the

window gardening.

Window

had opened out beautifully, and after having been admired by all of

panes as bright as crystal, lace curtains

they were successfully preserved in

these are plants in beautiful jardiniers,

his care

us,

this

expanded position by the doctor

for further use.

We

agreed that this trip on board United States Fish Commission steamer " Fish Hawk " constituted one of the most pleasant and interesting excursions we ever made, and when we had arrived at the United States lig-ht-

of the

all

of an

this

when a

exquisite

is

the

window one sees through the streets of

typical

strolling

town or

pattern, and between

city in Holland.

Holland, and especially Haarlem,

is

famous for growing the best hyacinth and tulip bulbs.

For miles around this city the almost exclusive business

of the people

is

to

grow flower bulbs for

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, export, and in April,

when

the hyacinths

135

1894.

above the water

level,

he can under-

to represent

meant by the phrase The Lord has created the world, but Holland was made by the Dutch."

The soil in which the bulbs are grown

imaginable color.

in, is for

and

tulips are in bloom, the surround-

ing country, looks as

if

when

seen from a distance,

the ground had been painted

immense mosaics of every The odor from these fields at that season, especially when there is no wind blowing, is simply beyond description.

Why the Dutch excel any other nation in growing flower bulbs, hyacinth

A bulbs especially,

when we

and

is

:

'*'

the most part sand, the so-called dune sand, heavily fertilized with cow manure. The color of it differs; in some sections

it is

white or yellow^ in others This is of great im-

brown or gray. portance, as

it

enables the culturist to

Scene in Holland.

understood cli-

but by no and faculty account anything and everysoil,

least, their

to turn to

easily

consider their favorable

mate, their

means

is

stand what

last,

tenacity

When one sees in Holland the thing. peasants, standing in their boats and dredging with a dip-net (not much more than twelve inches in diameter, and fastened to a long pole), the mud

from the bottom of the ditch that surrounds his land, for the purpose of fertilizing the soil and to keep it raised

grow the bulbs following season.

in

different soil each

The land

lies slightly-

even below the level of the sea, and is protected by dykes it was formerly sea bottom and still contains a certain percentage of above, in

some

cases

;

sea- salts.

In preparing the soil for bulb plantit is spaded up during the winter three to five feet deep, bringing the ing

bottom

soil

to

the surface and vice

In the early spring this soil is enriched with cow manure and vege-

versa.

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

136

The

Kqukriutv^.

A Quarterly 50

with a knife into six to eight at a later season,

Magazine.

Single Copies, 25

a Year.

cts.

1894.

cts. Eacii.

when

perfectly dry, by cutting out (scooping)

After such

the entire base of the bulb.

Sample Copies Tree.

fields, or,

the bulbs are

proceedings the bulbs are exj)osed to Advertising Rates on Application.

HUGO MULERTT,

draught and sunshine in order to heal

R. S. A., Editor and Publisher, Brooklyn, N. Y. 173 Nostrand Av., F.

I.

tables, potatoes, etc., are cultivated in

during the summer. These having been harvested, the soil is dug up it

and about

about fifteen inches deep,

the latter part of August the hyacinth

bulbs are planted in

age

their

and

According to

it.

up

their

wounds quickly. By the first young bulblets are

process two or three

produced in each section (at the average twenty to one bulb), and these will be of a marketable size about four

When

years later.

followed, to

more

each bulb)

the other process

(about

but

is

one hundred

smaller

ones are

secured, requiring from four to eight

they are planted

size

deeper or shallower, each size or age, and,

of

course,

also

each variety,

By

planted in separate beds.

is

the be-

ginning of frost these beds are covered (mulched) with bullrubhes, reeds, etc., to protect them, and in the early

when

sj)ring, is

over,

again. all

danger of heavy frosts mulching is taken off

all

this

About the middle

of April sees

The famous

the bulbs in bloom.

mosaics mentioned above may then be seen. After the flowers have reached perfection, they are cut off to floral

A Dutch

Hyacinth Bulb Cut Open.

relieve the plant for the benefit of the

years

These flowers are spread over the other beds and spaded under in

salable.

requires extraordinary perseverance and

order to return to the

frugal habits in order to

bulb.

dients which they after

soil

the ingre-

had taken from

it,

which potatoes are planted which,

in addition to yielding a crop, prevent

the wind from blowing away the

soil.

of

cultivation

One can

before

they are

see by this that

it

make bulb

growing a profitable business.

New

varieties of hyacinths or tulips

are produced by artificial fertilization of the flowers.

The

process of growing

The plants having been thus relieved soon make stronger growth and the

bulbs from seed

bulbs become larger and

ducing a new and desirable colored or shaped flower, it takes half a lifetime to propagate a stock of it.

pact.

About

the

end of

more comJune the

bulbs are taken up from the ground, the strongest of the oldest are now selected for propagation, at this season,

which

is

done,

by dividing the bottom

of the bulb by three or four deep cuts

cess

;

after

is

a

still

slower pro-

one has succeeded in pro-

After being lifted from their beds in June and July, the bulbs are buried once more in loose soil to kill their roots and to close or ripen the bulb.

:

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, This process is generally completed in about two weeks, the bulbs are now taken to the drying houses, where the

combined action of sunshine and draught make them ready for the market.

Packed in buckwheat shells they are shipped, mostly via Rotterdam, to every part of the civilized world.

how

large

the annual

Just

crop of flower

137

1894.

which will be in weeks according to the variety, place them where they will get a moderate light and as soon as the plants assume a healthy green color remove to the lightest possible situation in the window, where they can have an abundance of fresh air in moderate weather. The water should be changed ately filled with roots,

from three

to six

;

bulbs

is

that Holland grows and ex-

on them

ports,

we

are unable to state, but

small piece of charcoal or a pinch of

it

is

fabulously large.

will

salt

once in three weeks; a

at least

assist

keeping the water

in

sweet.

WINDOW CULTURE From

OF THE HYACINTH.

the foregoing description of

Hyacinth in the nurseries of Holland, one is in-

the

cultivation

clined

to

these

of

house

and

of

the

think that the cultivation beautiful

flowers

the

in

connected with similar work

is

but this

trouble,

contrary;

is

just

the

to

Dutch have done They supply us the

the

all

the work for us.

bulbs ready for blooming (see illustraAll that

tion).

we have

to do

is

to

The

culture in moss or sand

pots,

These are

used.

damp moss

or sand, or both, and

the t速p of this the bulbs are

now and

then,

a recreation, watch their

development and enjoy their brilliant colors and rich odor while blooming on our window sills, just at a season of the year when flowers are most welcome to see.

By observing

the following rules in

their care, success in their culture

is

set on this surface as many bulbs you choose, as long as you don't crowd them too much and can arrange

that each of them touches with its bottom the moss or sand. Cover them

full

moss,

fill

the vessel

with water and set

a cool, dark place, treating

rected for those in water.

water and picking

it

in

them as diChange of

decaying scales After

off

are not necessary in this case.

the flower spikes begin to show, the

bulbs should not lack water, and an occasional sprinkling with water over-

The very beneficial to them.

Hyacinths are the most satisfacin fact, they tory for house culture are also the prettiest. The bulbs should not be planted later than November. head

is

single

;

secured Fill the glasses with water from the hydrant, or where you can't have this take rain water place the bulbs so that ;

they barely touch it, and set them in a Excool, dark, dry cellar or closet.

amine them

occasionally,

and remove

gently any scales that may be decaying, but be careful not to injure the young roots.

on

You

may

diniers intended for their culture, give

is

set.

as

about half

really

within about

filled to

three inches of their upper edge with

loosely with nice

a passing care

easier

this

plant them in the glasses, bowls or jar-

them which

is

mode of culture fancy jardiniers or window boxes are For

yet.

When

the glasses are moder-

FERNS. {Continued from

last

Nicmber.)

Now comes the question to decide, what kind of soil to use. Much has been said about mixtures of peat and various other kinds of soil, but we need

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

138

1894.

not trouble ourselves about any of these;

shrink from the sides of the pot, leav-

the simplest, most easily obtained and

ing a space through which the water

ordinary leaf mould from the

best, is

woods, mixed with a

any fern these

fill

little

will flourish. little

sand

;

in this

When the plants

pots with roots they must

be shifted to others only one size larger,

grown

and

so

men

occupies a pot proportionate to

on until the

The mistake

size.

beginners

full

generally

speciits

made by

to use pots too large for

is

the plants.

When

particularly

such a

the roots of a plant,

moisture

loving

plant as a fern, are confined, they must

will

run out the next time you give a

supply, and the fern will droop and

Nor

soon perish from drought.

do to

set

them

in saucers of

will it

water, for

that will sour the earth, rot the roots

and

kill

the plants just as surely as

Ferns are very impatient of Set the j^o^s on a moderately thick layer of sand or moss, which can be kept wet to compensate drought.

standing water.

for

the waste

from the

caused

by evaporation and also to

sides of the pots,

supjjly moisture to the air of the apart-

A

ment.

dry atmosphere

is

just as det-

rimental to the growth of ferns as a dry

A

soil. is

very pretty and efficient way

to procure a

wooden box

as

wide and

long as your table, and deep enough to hide the pots.

The ends and

sides

may

be painted or otherwise ornamented to

your taste. In this box fit a zinc pan about an inch deep, and fill it with sand upon the sand j^lace a layer of moss thick enough to raise the bottoms of the pots above the rim of the pan.

When the pots are placed upon this moss, if you happen to give too much water it cannot drown the plants, because it will run over in the pan and suit

;

Seedling op Maiden's Hair Fern.

(P. P.) The primordial scale (W. h.) roots plant. Thirty times enlarged. (After I. Sachs.) ;

fill

;

(b)

the pot and permeate the whole ball

of earth, otherwise there

is

danger of

becoming sour, causing the roots to rot, and the plant to languish and die. The size of the pot must be the

soil

in proportion to that of the plant.

Now

place

where they

the pots in a position

can be drained into a vessel beneath, to protect your carpet. If the evaporation from the moss and sand does not fur-

nish sufficient moisture to the air of the room, to keep the plants in a fresh and vigorous state, some means must be adopted to increase it. If you have a

have an abundance of and keep them in a uniform state of moisture.

But how can this be done, you ask. If you set them on a table and water them, no matter how thoroughly, evaporation

stove,

will

light but no direct sunshine,

keep a vessel of water on

it; if

a

furnace or open grate, a shallow dish of

wet moss or sponges placed under the will answer the purpose.

fern stand

goes on, not only from the surface of soil, but also from the sides of the

This

the

warm weather comes your

porous pots, and in a few hours the ball of earth will dry out, and

more of the outside air, the Avindows must be opened more or less, and later

little

is

the winter treatment.

When the

plants Avant

;;

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, some

of the

more robust ones

will

do

well altogether out of doors in the shade.

But

if

you put any

ones out,

more

of the

delicate

be in a position where they will be protected from winds and let it

We

beating rains.

them

think

it

best to keep

room where the windows can be closed in case of storms, for the wind in a

breaks the delicate fronds,

the rain

them down, and night prowling

beats

cats are very destructive.

the house

it

is

much

easier to

them against the ravages pers, caterpillars,

Do

mies.

Besides, in

guard

of grasshop-

bugs and other ene-

not sprinkle the fronds every

time you give the plants water, but only

enough to keep them clean and from dust. It would also be a good plan to have a post at each corner of your fern stand, or some other arrangement by which the plants could often

free

be covered with a light sheet while

sweeping and dusting the room.

Now, having given

a sketch of the

139

1894.

mould, in a glass bottle and covered it A short time afterward, as he described it, a speck or two of vegetation appeared on the surface of the mould, and to his surprise turned out

over.

and a grass.

His interest he placed the bottle in a favorable situation and found that the plants continued to grow and mainto be a fern

was awakened

;

tain a healthy appearance.

"The

use of the

first

Wardian case

was to preserve plants for the scientist for a short time in good condition.

It was very good for that purpose. But when it comes to practical use for the amateur who wishes to see the various ferns and ornamental foliaged plants put forth their beautiful leaves, it is a failure.

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

have when introduced into the case the new growth will be slender and sickly looking.

But even .supposing the plants are in a fair condition, they

general culture of ferns in the house,

are concealed

we

shade, like goldfish in a globe of

treatment

will defer the particular

we come recommend

applicable to individuals until to describe the varieties that

themselves to our care.

under the sweating glass

muddy

but half the pleasure of growing plants when one cannot work around them, pick away a leaf here water.

It is

and there, and train them in a desired

{To he contiuKed.)

All this

direction.

is

prevented when

yourjilants are in a closed case, whether

A PRACTICAL FERNERY. For

the benefit of lovers of ferns

it is

we

reprint the following article written by

American Gardening "Those who have had experience with the glass shade fernery or Warus for

:

dian case, have found that they give

very

little

or no satisfaction.

The

his-

tory of the \^'ardian case dates back to

name

when a gentleman by the Ward, of London, first noticed,

1829, of

cidentally,

ac-

the growth of vegetation He had placed glass.

under a closed

the chrysalis of an insect, with some

round or square.

" In constructing a practical fern case we were guided by the following points tions,

:

—

1.

Plants,

with

few

excep-

must be protected against sud-

den changes of temperature, draught, 2. dust and too dry an atmosphere. air fresh supplied with must They be a suitable temperature, moisture both to their roots

and

and over their

foliage,

light.

"All these points are obtained in our case,

which

"An

is

constructed as follows

oblong wooden frame or box

:

is

-

THE AQUAEIUM, OCTOBER,

140

lined with a zinc pan three inches deep; in this a hole

This

is

is

the base.

punched

for drainage.

The top

of the case

consists of a similar but lighter

frame

;

pane of glass is loosely fitted.

These two frames are connected at the inside corners by four uprights made of galvanized sheet-iron, bent at right angle, one inch wide and twelve or more inches high. The four panes of glass that form the ends and fronts of in this a

the case are set against the uprights,

1894.

wooden balls, from the table.

This simple structure, Avhich any person can put together, furnishes all the necessary protection most plants need.

"In arranging such a fernery even landscape gardening can be indulged in.

A little lake can be formed by means of a shallow bowl, over which a Rocklittle rustic bridge can be built. work can be formed with pieces of tuff stone or other porous rock, and to case

is

raised by four 2 in.

which serve

as

legs,

^ilC^L./i-p^" -fERNfRYleaving these inside.

Resting on the

liven

up the

scenery, a

little

turtle,

base and loosely fitting against the top

spotted newts, or one or

frame, they are held in place by small

manders may be introduced. " The management of such a fernery Through the is pleasant and simple. sliding doors you are able to sprinkle the plants when they need it, to pick

quarter-round wooden strips nailed to the top and bottom frames to form grooves.

These

strips,

however, should

not meet at the corners, in order to enable one to use any of the four panes of glass as a sliding door. in the top

The

glass

frame remains loose and ad-

more

sala-

out imperfect leaves, or to place cut flowers, that you think much of, in the small lake for longer preservation."

justable for ventilation.

''To secure a certain amount of bottom heat for the plants, the entire

Did you pay your subscription

The Aquarium

?

to

— :

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

WHY THE LATE GERMAN PEROR, WILLIAM

Max

Borne was one

V. d.

successful

fishculturists

We read so often about tlie royal, even the imperial flower of Prussia, and in every instance we find that the cause,

Especially in

why

fishes of

just

this

common

field flower is

by the Germans, is not known, or at any rate no mention is made of it. Here is how it all happened so celebrated

In the year 1807,

when Queen Louise

of Prussia, with her children,

had

left

which was then in the possesNapoleon I., to accept an asylum that a country gentleman m the vicinity of Danzig had offered her, a broken axle of her wagon caused a delay of a couple of hours. While the wagon was being dragged empty to the next village for repairs, the Queen sat on a log awaiting its return.

The two princes, Fritz and Wilhelm, soon got tired of sitting 'round, they went to gather wild flowers by the roadside and in the near by fields.

They brought them by thearmBerlin,

sion of

fuls to their mother. of these

flowers were

The greater

part

the blue corn-

flower {Centaurea cyanus coelestina) so

frequently seen in the wheat and rye fields of

Of these the Queen wreaths to amuse her chil-

Germany.

made

little

dren.

When the first one was finished she

put it on the head of the younger, Wilhelm, who then had a beautiful head of blonde hair. The effect was so charming and pleased her so much that she smilingly embraced and kissed him and for the first time since Prussia's great misfortune, the young princes saw their

mother happy once more.

Blue cornflowers, wherever seen after this, naturally reminded Wilhelm, the revenger of his family and liberator of Germany, always of his beloved mother who departed this life three years after the above occurrence, to live forever in the

memory

of her grateful people.

141

MAX VON DEM BORNE.

EM-

LOVED THE CORNFLOWER. I,,

1894.

American

the

fishes

Besides

cess.

fornia

most

Eurojie.

acclimatization

of

he had marked sucthe favored carp-like

Germany, he bred the CaliRainbow Trout, the small and

large-mouthed Blackbass, bass,

of the

of

Strawberry-bass,

The

Catfish.

Rockand these he

the

Sunfish

breeders for

ail

imported himself from this country.

He was born on his father's estate, Berneuchen, Prussia, sixty-eight years After graduating from college ago. he selected mining for his profession.

He

traveled considerably and

practically for

some time,

worked which the Uni-

after

he studied for three years at Berlin and Bonn. versities of He filled several important positions in the Department of Mining in Prussia, but finally resigned to look after the large

estate of his father, the soil of

which

being excellently adapted for the manufacture of fancy building bricks, for

which Berlin was a good market, he turned his attention towards this industry and erected a large establish-

The

pits out of

which the clay

had been dug he formed

into fish-ponds,

ment.

utilizing

the water of a small river

that runs through his estate. visit to his

At our

establishment, three years

had twenty-five ponds and three and owned a fish-hatchery of which any State of the Union would be proud of.

Space does not admit to give a detailed description of his establishment, which ago, he

lakes under cultivation,

has a world's reputation. lin International

At the Ber-

Fishery Exposition,

1880, he received the third or's prize,"

and

at the

"Emper-

London Fishery

Exposition, 1893, he was the Imperial

German Commissioner. Emperor Fred-

—

"

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

142 eric III.

made him Lord Chamberlain,

After answering numerous questions

about a year as President

satisfactorily Patrick secured the posi-

a very high distinction of

;

nominated

ago he was

German Fishery

the

Society,

but

declined the honor owing to his age.

Traveling a great deal all over Eu-

rope in the interest of fish culture, he much knowledge, and this,

collected

together with his

own experience

died

in

the

On

harness.

the

evening of June 13 he came from his ponds not feeling well, and the next morning, June 14, he had ended his His son, who succeeds useful life. him, gives promise that he will carry

on the establishment

in the spirit of

his father.

"WHERE

SNAILS ABOUND."

The article under above heading in number of The Aquarium is from

last

the pen of Mr. Ernst .Ingersoll. It had been sent to us without the author's

name being

attached.

Having

tion.

mind

the comj^etition

and wishing Patrick she said

" Phat's that," cried Pat, in astonish-

"

ment.

Me

bed in the yard, is it ?

I slape in the yard for

Divvil a bit will

annybody

!

—

Fish Swim. A recent writer an excellent illustration which makes it very obvious how fish swim.

Every one who has been to the seaside must have noticed fishing boats propelled not by a pair of oars, but by a single one, projecting from the stern.

How

gives

The way

it

acts

is

thus

The

:

placed immediately over the keel.

blade it

is

A

young woman

living on

Brooklyn

who is a great lover of employs a number of servants, Heights,

flowers,

whom

she allots a small plot of ground

of

to each

in the back yard to be used for a flower

Each one of them must attend own plot and arrange the flowers according to their own judgment. As

•bed.

their

an incentive she

offers a

couple of cash

prizes for the best kept plots.

She had occasion to advertise for a the other day to do chores about the house, and among the many apj^licants for the situation was a lately landed son of the Emerald Isle, named

man

Patrick.

oar

is

The

then placed in such a way that through the water

shall pass edgewise

as the handle

moved toward the side Then, when the oar has

is

taken a sufficient sweep,

TION.

to

in the yard."

it

so that the blade shall pass

OBJECTED TO HIS BED'S LOCA-

to

him, " Now, Patrick, James will tell you what to do, and will show you your bed

enter the contest,

of the boat.

Ed.

in

for the prizes,

in

that line, he embodied in his various works on Fish and Fish Culture.

He

1894.

is

turned,

through the

water, as in ordinary rowing, while the oar is brought back to its original posiIt is then made to pass edgewise tion. through the water, on the other side of the boat, and so on. Now those strokes which are made as the handle moves from the middle to the sides tend to give a backward motion to the boat, while the other gives it a forward. But as the oar meets with much more resistance in the latter case than in the All former, the motion is progressive. this is exactly what takes place in the swimming of a fish. The spines of a fish tail are movable, and are capable of being brought into such a position that the fin shall meet with less resistance from the water while the tail is

being

bent

than

when

it

is

being

straightened, and it is when the tail is being straightened that the fish is propelled.

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBEE,

9rift

14H

1894.

He was a great having traveled in Africa and Siberia.

He is the. author of "Brehm's Thierleben," which excellent work on natural history is no doubt known to manj- of our readers. of the Berlin Acjuarium.

^^eod.

traveler,

The Biological Station at Milwaukee, for the study of the fresh--nater fauna and flora of the lakes, is doing good work.

—

The Berlin Aquakiitm. Of the various public aquariums that we had occasion to see this summer, the one in Berlin stands at the head. It holds up its old reputation.

?r^

Queries.

The arrangements of the "interiors" of the tanks, fresh water as well as marine, are simply beautiful they reveal that the ;

men in

charge of this work are artists who have studied Nature in all its details.

The animals were, without exception, in perfect health, and consequently it was a and manners.

Of the rarer inhabitants we noticed good

treat to observe their waj-s

sized specimens of Devilfish (Octopus vulgaris) from the Mediterranean, and hatch-

:

ing Sharks' eggs. Seahorses were quartered in one of the beautiful Sea-ane. mones tanks (for which this aquarium has been famous for the last twenty -five years), giving motion to the surroundings of these flower-like animals.

The Climbing Perch (Anabas scandens), and Cattish (Saccrobranchus fossilis), both of East India, the Mailed Catfish and several other curious new fish, not yet named, from South Ame-

were among the attractions of the fresh water section. Among the amphibious collection we saw the Lettered Toad (Ceratophrys ornata) of South America,

rica,

a beautiful animal (if it is allowable to call a toad beautiful), of the size of a man's fist.

;

.

—

'

MoNtTMENTS TO Natuealists.

At the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Berlin Zoological Gardens, which occurred last August, a beautiful monument in memory of the late Dr. Heinrieh Bodinus was unveiled.

Dr. Bodinus reorganized and

establishment and vinder his :able directorship gained for it a world's

remodeled

tliis

reputation.

On September 23d a monument to the two Brehms (father and son) will be unvailed in Altenburg,

the

capital

of

the

country of which they were natives. The father, Eev. Dr. Christ. Ludw. Brehm, was .a

famous German

naturalist,

and

his son,

A. E. Brehm, Director of the Zoological •Gardens in Hamburg and the first Director

For the small sum of fifty cents in advance, which pay's for a year's subscription to The Aquarium, your are entitled to ask information on any point regarding the aquarium or the window garden. offer no other premium to our subscribers than that of putting our 25 years of practical experience in these branches at their disposal.

We

Ask

as

many

questions as you please, but

please to enclose postage for reply. All questions are answered by mail, and we pi;blish

only such in these columns as are of general interest.

With to

new subscription But although the sub-

this ifsue begins a

The Aquarium.

is payable in advance, this never pressed we know that such little matters are occasionally neglected, sometimes because no mailable change is at hand, at other times because business of greater importance interferes.

A dollar

scription price

rule

is

bill will is easily

;

pay for two years' subscription it mailable, and will encourage the ;

editor greatly to

make you

a

still

more

interesting paper.

—

Mrs. R. B., La. A good case for mailing aquatic plants is an empty cigar box We mail a great many that way the (50). plants should be wrapped in soft, wet paper first and then packed in damp swamp moss, or where this can not be had, in damp sponges, in the box.

The box is then wrapped in strong paper and securely tied with string, but not sealed. In addition to the address the package should be marked "Plants."

The postage is one cent for every two ounces. ;

G. L., St. L. fish

in

3-our

—There is no doubt that the basin

were killed by the

THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,

144 thunder-storm. While

summer

we were in Germany

In the morning following a heavy thunderstorm all the fish of a mill pond were found floating dead on toi) of the water the frogs, insects and water fowl, however, were not in the least injured. The fish were scooped out and buried without having been examined by an expert. It would have been interesting to know whether their swimming bladders had been bursted by the shock caused by the lightning or whether It they came to death by suftbcation. seems that the latter was the cause, because all the air breathing inhabitants of the pond this

a similar case happened.

the discovery that there exists in nature a between the supply of oxygen created in water with the qiian-

self-adjusting balance tity

;

survived.

Mr.

M., Tenn.

— The sincerest

form

Like many other X. L. fishfood n(jt escape being imitated. The various ingredients contained in it and the process of compounding them is our secret. You admit yourself that our name was not on the box the fact that you bought it in New York does not prove that it was our food. If you can't get it of your dealer in your city, you may order it direct of us. of flattery is imitation.

good things

so did our

I.

;

when exposed air

divided, separating the

young from

their

We

hold a number of letters containing pleasant things that were written

who engaged in goldfish culture guided by our book, "The Goldfish and its Culture." They were successful

by

parties

solely

Mr.

S.

— P.

your

fish are

very hungry

feed them, beside their daily ration of fish week with small pieces of earth worm. Always take care to remove all not consumed food immediately after food, twice a

;

G. To destroy worms in flower pots, take a heaping teaspoonful of powered mustard and let it steep for several hours in a Pour enough of this gallon of cold water. in each pot to wet the ball of earth thoroughly, and you will get rid of the worms

without injury to the plants.

—P.

A

good paint to keep the bot. aquarium from rusting is our aquarium cement thinned with boiled lin-

torn of yoiir

seed is to

—

Miss H.,

Ala. It is absolutely necessary have tadpoles in an aquarium if you wish to be successful. If the water in your tank turns green soon after being put in,

to

it

indicates that

gets too

it

much

oil.

The best plan after all, however,^ cover the bottom with glass.

W. The successful treatment of aquatic plants and animals, in the confined space of a glass aquarium, depends entirely upon

light.

with a screen. When filling an aquarium, a pinch of table salt shoiild always be added to about every

You should shade

it

three gallons of the water.

Books

I^eceiyed.

The Lake and Brook Lamprey of New York, those of Cayuga and Seneca Keprinted lakes, by Simon Gage, B. S. from the Wilder Quarter-Century Book.

Ithaca, N. Y. especially

Fungi Affecting Fishes, by Samuel Lockwood, Ph.D. Freehold, N. J. Crustaces des eaux doness et

et

la Belgique et Poisson Etrangere y introduits on dont Facclimation serait desirable. Chromo-lithographies d'apprts les Aquarelles de M. Paul Del-

her.

de

Bruxelles, 18)4.

Missouri Botanical Garden, Fifth

meal time.

Ch.

in water,"

to the action of light, emit an

which he announces as oxygen gas and keystone of the aquarium.

saiimatrers

If

"immersed

this idea is the

Poissons

beyond expectations.

Ingenhauss

coiirse of his essay,

states that plants

Mk. E., Iowa. — A small pond, say four by eight feet, is sufficiently large to

parents.

consumed by aquatic animals.

In the

feet

begin goldfish raising. You can easily add more ponds if you find sale for your stock.

A pond of such size can be sub-

1894.

Eeport, 1894.

St. Louis,

Annual

Mo.

Annual Report of the Board of Eegents of the Smithsonian Institution to July, 18i)2.

Bible,

Zahm,

Science

and Faith, by Eev.

J.

A.

C, Professor of Phj'sics in the University of Notre Dame, Ind., etc., 13 mo, cloth, $1.25, Murphy & Co., publishers,

C. S.

Baltimore, Md.

NEW STYLE OF AQUARIUM.

NE5n£

PUBLICATION.

The Amateur By 16mo.

An.

Aquarist.

MARK SAMUEL. Cloth.

Illustrated, $1.00.

American Aquariutn book indispensable to everyone who wiahcs to start an Aquarium, or who already has one.

Complete Instructions for making a New Self-Sustainin? Aquarium, Requiring Change of Water but Once a Year.

No.

How to find suitable water-plants and fishes. When to find suitable waterplants and fishes. Where to find suitable water-plants and fishes. Over Fifty New Illustrations from Life, by which to identify the specimens.

35.

ALL ONE PIECE OP OLEAE GLASS.

Just the book to take on country rambles in Summer. Just the book to have when fishing in fresh water.

Just the book to use at home in winter. How to breed fishes in an Aquarium, and successfully raise the " babies."

Published in sensible pocUet edition, and bound in " soakable

"

cloth.

SPKCIAL TERMS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. postpaid, on receipt of the price,

Sent,

by

KQUKRIST, 10 East Sixteenth Street,

•

Between Broadway and Fifth Avenue,

GAMELAND

BeliaMe Flower BiHs FOR FALL PLANTING.

The Angler's Journal and Sports man- Naturalist's illustrated Magazine of

HYACINTHS, TULIPS,

FISHING AND SHOOTING.

NARCISSUS, CROCUS,

Reveals virgin woods and waters, and tells of hundreds of places to fish and shoot.

It is brimful of practical and authentic matter on woodcraft, landscape and camp-life, and is read by 4(1,000 bright people. Yearly, $1.00, with THEA<juARiUM,tl.25; three trial numbers. 2.5 cents. No free copies. Address

LILIES, AMARYLLIS, OUR OWN IMPORTATION. Especially

selected

sorts

School Rooms, Sitting

Send for Price

for cultivation

Rooms and

YOIR^C.

2SriE"^A7"

in

:

Offices,

List.

HUGO MULERTT, 173 Xostrand Avenue,

BROOKLTX,

1267 Broadway^

y. T.

NEW

^d^.

For coiieoes, scnoois ood

TOUK,

mm

use,

MINERALS, ROCKS, FOSSILS AND SHELLS, Arrange<l into systematic collections, special series, also in single

specimens at rea-

sonable prices.

13

FRED'K BRAUN, 17 CROSBY STREET,

and

New

3l7

THE MICROSCOPE,

AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY

• -.

FlSM AMD OYSTfcR CuLTURfe. BRpAOWi^y FR.esM una SALT wATfcR *n<iui<i.BeATif\6.erc^

NEW

YORK.

jF'or

(Established 1884.)

The only publication in America exclusively devoted to everything pertaining toFlSH»n<lFISIirSG. A valuable medium for the advertiser. Tryitl

Subscription price $2.00 per year, post paid.

SEND FOR SAMPLE COPY.

Q. E.

JENNINGS,

York. N. Y.

One Dollar per Year.

By means

of pictures of Microscopic Oband by fwpular descriptions of our work, we aim to interest everj-body in the minute things of nature and art.

jects,

MICE08C0PICAL PDBLI8HIKG PUBLISHER.

WASHINGTON,

D. C.

CO.,

NO STORE.

ESTABLISHED 25 YEARS.

HUGO MULERTT, IMPORTER AND DEALER IN

Aquarium

Novelties for the 173 N08TRAND Grower

of tiioh-grade flquarium Plants.

and Mulertt's

BROOKLYN,

AV.,

N.

Sole Manufacturer of the favored

WATER-PROOF CEMENT. Send

Y. I

XL.

FOOD

FlStt

for Price List.

MQLERTT'S HEW MOOSCOPICAL AQOABIOM Made

for laboratory

especially

sions, 4 inches high. 5^ inches long,

inside measures). quantities.

Thise

DIRT,

and

up as

the thing

for

special interest.

SUPERIOR PREPARED

FOOD MOCKIHG-BIRD —

MCALLISTER'S,

— FOR

kcarefully selected best quality of canary, German rape, and imported millet seeds, and is j/nt up fresh in one-pound boxes.

This seed

be fitted

MOTES,

ASK YOUR GROCER OR DRUGGIST FOR .?.

of

(All

MCALLISTER'S

YOU WANT BIED SEED FREED FROM

GRAVEL

to

aquarium and are just

to observe objects

also

Dimen-

discount if ofdered in

Cash with order. aquariums are large enough

SIFTED BIRD SEED. IF

A

little

amateur

it.

it

and if inches wide.

Price, $ I. OO each.

a regular self-sustaining the

making

Solid base, no danger of upsetting

useful for optics.

Made

Plain, neat, durable.

use.

of metal and the very best of glass, this feature

is

Mocking-birds, Tliruslies, Blackbirds, Robins, Niglitingales, Skylarks,

Birds which can sing and won't sing, are

made

to sing with

+

Stieppard's Song

KND

KI-U SOPT-Blt-U BIRDS.

+

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.

Restoier, OR A TREAT.

Also an Invigorating Tonic for Canary lilrrts Ooldflnches, linnets and all Seed liirds.

;

This preparation will in every case restore to the ir natural notes birds who have lost their song from the effects of cold or excessive moulting.

For breeding Birds and their young, and old Birds it is invaluable, strengthening their voice and improving their plumage. A.lso valuable for Turning Jfirds.

SHEPPARD'S GENUINE PREPARED FISH FOOD.

A

perfectly pure

article,— specially prepared for etc. kept in aquaria or globes.

feeding Gold Fish,

,

FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS AND AT ALL BIRD STORES.

E. 3is/IoA.LLISTEK;, — FLOV/ER AND GARDEN SEED, ETC., IP.

•

22

DEY STREET,

DEAI.ER IN

-

Electrotypes of Fish, Aquatic Plants, Etc., For Sale,

-

NE"W YORK. ENGRAVINGS MADE TO ORDER,

AT REASONABLE RATES.

Address,

THE AQUARIUM.