% A
lA^ Vol. III.
13 .JANUARY,
ia92.
No. 26.
18fl3.
A QUARTERLY
MAGAZINE FOR THE
ACCLIMATIZATION
S
Animals and
Plants.
50 cents a year. Single copies, 15 cents each.
HUGO MULERTT, BROOKLYN, Copyright.
N. Y.
All Rights Reserved.
HEADQUARTERS FOR THE FINER VARIETIES OF
GOLD
FISH, JAPANESE FANTAILS, ALSO PARADISE FISH, AND ALL KINDS OF AQUATIC PLANTS, For Descriptive,
two cents.
Illustrated Catalogue, send
Address,
EDWARD
SCHMID,
S.
AQUARIUM DEPOT, No. 712 Twelfth Street, N. W., Washington, D.
C.
SCOLLAY'S Patent Elastic Plant-SprlnRIer. This article is made of rubber, in f otir sizes, with a flat bottom, and nickel -plated perforated detachable top an indispensable article for window and house gardening, sprinkling bouquets, cut flowers, etc. By simply compressing the bulb, thus expelling the air, and placing the nozzle in the water, the sprinkler will fill itself.
—
No. 1 No. 2
.
. .
.$1.00
TSfoB.
85
No. 3. No. 4
No. 1, Angle Neck. .$1.00 " No. 2, " .. .75
.$0.75 .50
. .
...
JOHN A. SCOLLAY, 74 and 76 Myrtle Avenue, BROOKLYN,
Importer and Wholesale and Retail Dealer
N. Y.
in
AQUARIUMS, TERRARIUMS, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC And
all
BOTANICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL SPECIMENS SUPPLIED. 72 East
I25tli Street, bet,
Park and Madison Avs..
The Gold Fish and its Culture. Illustrated. Der Gold Fisch und seine Zucht. lUustrirt. 75
cts.
25
cts.
BIRDS,
108 pp.
New
Bound
104 Seiten.
York.
in cloth, $1.00 a copy.
Stettin, 1892.
Broschiert,
How
to Cook Fish, 133 Recipes for preparing Sea and Freshwater Fish for the Table. Sent prepaid by mail on receipt of price.
Address,
HUGO MULERTT,
173 Nostrand Avenue,
BROOKLTN,
N. T.
Vol.
JANUARY,
III.
CoPYBiGHT
1893.
THE PARLOR AQUARIUM. We know
of
stimulate the
and take of
it
common
monotony
to healthy exertion,
out of the immediate track interests
of
and pleasures, the
which
is
oppressive,
so
26.
and disThose who cannot see Nature, who cannot see more than a "funny thing " in a little polywog are like one gazing at a carved Egyptian
of science requires a separate
nothing more likely to
mind
No.
1893.
All Rights Reserved.
tinct kind of sight.
who
record,
perceives,
in
the hiero-
than the study of natural history in
glyphic character, simply the
f ome of its least
tured figure of a polywog, and no more they are in a state of Egyptian dark-
explored
fields,
espec-
extraordinary development in
ially its
sculp-
—
connection with the aquarium.
And
ness as regards one of the highest
and
how few there are who seek charming mode of dissipating
that
most enchanting
human
re-
yet
dreary monotony of every-day as it
is
made by the
or habit
I
such
routine of fashion
A popular love
tory, even in its best is,
life,
the
of natural his-
known
divisions,
in fact, of quite recent date. Indeed,
the very existence of such a science has been, till recently, altogether ignored
hy our great national
The
earnest
seats of learning.
investigators,
who have
done so much to lay bare its wonders, were either ridiculed or treated with but small resjiect — as useless dreamers
upon very small and ters.
insignificant mat-
To appreciate Nature, as well as mind requires a si^ecial educa-
Art, the
tion, without Avhicli the eye
ear perceive but
little of
passing before them.
and the
the miracles
Each department
fields of
search.
When, Nature
is
however, learned,
longer a confused
the
language
and her voice
murmur
is
of
no
to the ear,
but becomes a brilliant series of
elo-
quent words, full of deep and exquisite meaning, then the student will see as well as hear but till then, in his intercourse with Nature, he is both deaf and ;
" Speak," said Socrates to a blind. youth; "say something, that I may Socrates saw not a silent see you.'^ man and those who do not hear and ;
understand Nature's language cannot see her wondrous beauty. The aquarium has been at all times and in all ages a source of information
and amusement rich.
for
the
cultured and
Already, thousands of years ago,
THE AQUAEIUM, JANUARY,
18
the Chinese adorned their houses and gardens with aquariums, the old Egyptians and tlie noble Komans had theirs,
which they cultivated choice waterDuring the middle plants and fish. ages we find rare and beautiful fishes and aquatic plants in jDrecious basins in the famous castles of Euroj)e. The aquarium of those days was of course quite different from the aquarium of the present. The manufacture in
1893.
some
lects in wells
and
and which
also given off
in
of our mines-,
from
stoves,
often causing disease and death.
When
this gas
is
is
present in too large a quan-
the fish feel uncomfortable at bottom, they go near the surface of
tity
phere.
This
discovery,
many
like
useful
others was from year to year improved,,
bygone
and could these
the tanks
days see the parlor aquarium of
scientists
of
Amer-
with plants and
were basins formed of costly stones or china, and the contents could only be
animals from every zone of the
viewed from above.
see
Whether the scientific principles upon which the success of an aquarium
likewise
based were already understood
the joy
is
the
ancients,
is
not
by
known and now
hard to prove. At any
rate,
the present
manner of sustaining an aquarium through the action of aquatic plants without change of water, is based on Ingenhauss's discovery,
made
in
the
second half of the eighteenth century
when exposed to the action emit an air luliich he announced
the-
water and finally are forced to breatli& the oxygen contained in the atmos-
of sheet-glass not being invented then,
containing the collections
the-
ica to-day, inhabited
and
fishes
them, not solely by lady it
globe,^
amphibians bred in by professionals, but amateurs,
creates in
valid, or the sick
in
observe
the child, the inthe bed chamber,^
they would justly feel proud, for they
were unknowingly great benefactors to
man.
An
aquariuin
is
in improving the
a living or
also
very beneficial
sanitary condition of
bedroom through
its
purify-
that ''plants
ing influence on the atmosjjliere.
of light as oxygen gas."
the impurities of the air are absorbed
Fish inhale the oxygen contained in the water and exhale in turn a gas called carbonic acid gas,, a very poison-
by the water, this is in turn purified by the plants and the water evaporating
room is j^erfectly pure. As we have seen above, the founda-
into the
ous compound, this the plants inhale
tion of
and appropriating the carbon
When
up
their
own
to build
tissues, give off the oxy-
gen again for the fish, so that this gas oxygen becomes but a carrier of carbon from the animal economy to that of When the sua shines the vegetable. on the plants in our aquarium, very often
their leaves
will
be seen to be
covered with an innumerable assemblage of minute globules of that gas, glistening like dew-drops
upon
grass.
Carbonic acid gas is heavier than oxygen. It is the same body tliat col-
All
an aquarium is the plant life. one has concluded to get an
aquarium into
his house, the first thing^
that should be considered
is
the loca-
tion of the tank.
The rium which
room for the aquahaving a window near
best side of a is
that
it is
to
be placed, as
the light
can be increased or reduced by regulating the shades accordingly. Thebest exposure is that towards the North;, by such an exposure the aquarium should stand about six inches away from tlie wiiulow; next best is oner
AFTEU DINNER. (CHATEAU FONTAINEBLEAU, IGTH CENTURY.) The Aquarium,
January, 1893
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,
20
1893.
towards the East, the best distance in such a case is about twelve inches from
the washed rocks or tuff-stone intended
the window; next best is a window facing South or West, here set the aqua-
quantity of well washed sharp sand on
rium about eighteen inches towards the room, and when the windows are high even more space may be left between. When an aquarium is to be located between two windows, it should be far enough in the room to receive the light from both, and in a corner room with windows at both angles, the aquarium should be
so that the
set diagonally
from each window will enter the aquarium from each end. But, although we want plenty of
light
we should avoid
light for the plants,
much
as
In winter
as possible the sun.
put a
for the rockery ready,
sufficient
the bottom of the tank to cover
it
to
the height of about one inch.
This done, seat yourself in a chair
some distance away from the aquarium, look at it, and study the best effect rethe arranging of the rocks. Don't be in too great a hurry remember that this arrangement is to be for at least one season, and don't forget that you must make allowances for the plants, making as little shade for them
garding
;
in placing the rocks as possible.
arrangement
pleted, the next of
the
move
is
the planting
know
Since we
jDlants.
The
rocks being com-
of the
that
the sunshine you can get, but
these are the prime factors for the main-
towards the spring, from February on, shelter the tank from its direct rays. The most favorable temperature for the
tenance of the aquarium, this should
allow
all
welfare of the collection ranges between 60째 and 90째 F.
When we
have chosen a place for the
aquarium the next step tank.
The
best tank
is
is
to secure a
the rectangu-
lar one, metal frame with glass
sides
.and ends and glass or slate lined
bot-
This tank
tom.
placed on a stand
is
table or bracket of proportionate height to secure proper light for the plants
and
to allow
an easy inspection of the
be done with great care.
The plants may be well rooted specimens or mere cuttings, in either case handle them gently, do not bruise or break them. Plant them in the sand with the same care as you would a tender seedling-plant in your garden, arranging the different groups according to the picture you had made in your
mind when you
Be not
it is
prop-
make your
erly cleansed with clean water
and a
aquarium,
When
the tank
is
secured
sponge, but without the aid of soap, and filled up to the top with water to
and
test the resistance
of the glass
detect any leaks.
In making this
to
test
it
them.
placed in that
it
its position,
now
care being taken
sets perfectly level.
Now
get
'
when you
'
penny wisdom,' depends on
They need not necessarily be plants, some of the com-
expensive
moner
species
being
the attractions of is
close
would be
jDeted parlor. it
'
as the success of everything
genators, but
test
aquatic
selection of plants for the
the tank should be in a perfect level position, and of course not in a car-
Having stood the
An
garden can be made a charming little sub-marine landscape, prettier than any picture.
contents.
sat in the chair think-
ing about the rockery.
since
excellent oxy-
plants, outside
of
add greatly to an aquarium, liber-
their purifying faculties,
ality in this direction is well placed.
Whilst you are planting, sprinkle the plants every few minutes, so they
may
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, not
from the dry
suflfer
planted, place
air.
next thing to
the
some small stones or
All being
do
is
to
large peb-
bles in an apparently careless manner on the bottom, some in the immediate
1893.
21
with same and in perfect condition to
Now
support animal
life.
wiper, which
a sponge fastened to
the
fiat
is
end of a
stick,
take the
and slowly wipe
the inside of the glass of
aquarium,
tlie
the
making the motion up and down, avoid
roots of them, while others are placed
touching the sand as this would scratch
vicinity
of
in gronj)s of
the plants to steady
threes or fonrs together,
The aquarium
the glass.
now
will
ap-
between each stone to catch the refnse matter that
pear as clear as
will collect in time.
one at the time, getting them gradually used to the temperature of the water by slowly mixing it with the Avater in which they were, then add to your col-
leaving small
crevices
The aquarium
is
now ready
to re-
you live in a city that has waterworks, use water from the hydrant, provided that it is clear if yon cannot have that, take clear cisceive the water.
If
;
tern
or
must be
spring water, but
and
the water
anybody to drink Any water that you wonld not like to drink yourself is not fit for an aquarium Muddy water is as detri mental to aquatic plants as dust is to garden plants. If the water is less than 60° F., some warm water should be added, as otherwise the plants would get chilled. Pour the water into the tank slowly and carefully, in order not to wash out the roots of the plants, filling it up to within two inches from the top. Now take a small stick, and by its aid carefully arrange the branches clear
fit
Now
;it all.
if it
contained no water
introduce the
gently,
fish
two or more frog tadpoles to consume the refuse and otherwise decaying matter and also a few pond
lection
for
!
or blades of the plants to suit,
sprinkle a pinch of
common
then
table salt
on the surface of the water and your aquarium is started. If you wish to do so, you can place the fish in the water at once, but if there is no particuhir hurry, it is advisable to wait a day or two, in order to have the water settle and to give the plants a chance to straighten up and have the sand settled about their roots. After elapse of that period you will see most of the plants covered with minute silvery bubbles, these are oxygen bubbles and you may consider your tank charged
snails
ramshorn type,
the
of
for the
same purpose.
The in
question,
how many fish can
an aquarium of a certain
equal
to,
how much money must
have to be rich tially the
—the answer
same.
The
determine the )iumber of live in
it.
a
is
it
fish
man
substan-
shaj^e of the
and the location in which comfortably
is
live
size, is
tank
placed
that can
Should the
lo-
bad as regards light, the amount of oxygen generated in the tank will be less, while if the situation be
cation
is
highly favorable in every respect, the
evolution reach
its
of
the life-giving gas will
maximum
degree.
The quan-
water required for a given number of fish is furthermore regulated by
tity of
22 their size
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, and the nature of the
ment they have received came into your possession.
treat-
before If,
they
for in-
1893.
had already been accustomed to a life Some fish need a great
of ca23tivity.
amount
ox3^gen
of
while
others
along with remarkably
aquarium
many
will stand as
the plants
as
can
get
An
little.
fish
supply with
oxygen.
The only way tank
the
to ascertain
by beginning with a few specimens, adding from time to time until you see Ijy the action of the fish that you have arrived at the limit.
ability of a
is
Fish, in order to be objects of
study or enjoyment, should above things feel comfortable and happy; they must feel ''at home,"
all
and
it is
much
the better plan to
keep only a few choice specimens (of a noble type and good habits) and make real pets of these, than to crowd the tank with indifferent
stock.
For an aquarium holding from twelve to thirty gallons of water
and kept for ornamental purposes, two handsome specimens of equal and projoortioned sized sunlish, for instance, strawberry bass
a pair of brook
trout
;
gorgeous Japanese fringe fish,
make
or
such a tank
tail gold-
is
is
obtained
A if
stocked with about
five fish of different colors, sizes.
two
a striking effect.
similar good effect
and
or
;
Tanks
shapes
of the author
were seen by millions of people at the various industrial expositions
durnig the
last
twenty years where
we had them displayed and we
stance, they were kept in
running water,
or were newly caught in a large pond,
they will naturally require a larger quantity of water than
much if
they
bad good opportunities to notice which arrangement was the most :i(l mired. Such a tank as mentioned above brings the arrangement of the rockery and the plants to full notice. The fish appear like so many cattle in
"
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, n pasture with the edge -a
of a piece of
The whole
forest as a background.
is
living picture continually changing,
but
always charming.
perfect
Its
and imparts a
silence rests our nerves
peaceful feeling. is
to be a source of
information to children or pastime for invalids,
different
a
course
is
be
to
taken and the collection should comprise
various species of fish in order
that the
forms, habits and
different
structure
23
893.
the tank
is
The older The author has
re-filled.
the water, the better.
used water for eleven then
in
years
the plants,
all
the
also
larger
and
and now carefully catch remove the fish, etc., placing
them
in a clean tin vessel with plenty of
may
be
compared
and
Take
ivater of suitable temperature.
now and
out the balance of the water also the sand, but do not
from
sand particles
move the tank
After washing the
position.
its
the inside of the glass
off'
studied.
to prevent scratching, clean the
There now remain a few remarks to be said in regard to the general management of an aquarium. We say a few remarks, because if the aquarium has been properly started, it almost takes
inside of the tank by rubbing
care of
itself, all
feed the
fish
that
is
necessary
fish
is
to
One
regularly every day.
person only should have charge of
and the
this
Xext take out the rockwork,
way). pebbles,
aquarium
If th"i
when
3
ordinary table
Allow for possible at the same period. â‚Źach fish a mouthful of food each feeding time. Should any unconsumed food remain at the bottom the tadpoles and snails will devour it. Once or
with
using the fingers All the brownish
instead of a brush.
or green matter being taken
off,
the
tank is once more washed with clean water and is then ready again for replanting.
this,
should be fed as nearly as
salt,
entire it
The sand should be
washed
well
in
various waters until perfectly clean before
jiut
is
it
Where sand supply
is
is
back into
the
easily obtained
tank. a
new
preferable.
The rock work,
or tlie rock used for
should be scalded and then washed in salt water with a rough sponge or small scrubbing brush before replacing it,
twice a week the inside of
the
glat-s
should be cleaned with the wiper, thus preventing algae covering it and ob•structing the view. At the same time the water lost by evaporation should be a
The plants
are then looked over and most desirable ones selected and 2:)lanted again without delay; the tank refilled, and fi'sh, etc., returned as soon
the
replaced.
Once
in position.
month the sediment
collected between
that has
the pebbles,
intro-
duced for this purpose, should be removed by the aid of a glass dipping tube or a rubber syphon. When the aquarium is to be thoroughly cleaned and re-arranged, which should be done once or twice every year, the water is drawn off with a rubber syphon to within about six inches from the bottom (this water, if practicable, is saved and used again
as practicable.
Two
or three hours of labor once or
twice in a
year— what
ure, information
bring to a family hospital
We
a wealth of pleas-
and j)astime circle,
will
school
they
room or
I
cannot leave this chapter without
calling
attention
" What
is
doing: well
to
the
worth doing .
saying:
old
at all
is
worth
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,
34
The
T^qukriutvt.
cts.
a Tear.
;
they
and whenever there is a mild day the upper sash should be opened for them a little, for the air
want fresh
Single Copies, 15 cts Each.
Sample Copies
Plants want plenty of light during-
the day and darkness at night
A Quarterly Magazine, 50
1893.
air,
free.
should not strike the plants directly, as this would chill them, nor should plants
Advertising Kates on Application.
ever be permitted to stand in a draught,
HUGO MULERTT,
Publisher,
either
Brooklyn, N. Y.
173 Nostrand Av.,
in
summer
or
winter.
Alsa
avoid a location where you would touch
r^
Japanese Fringe-Tail Goldfish.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT HOUSE PLANTS.
OF
The great secret of success in house gardening consists in overcoming, as
much
as
possible,
the
disadvantages
under which the plants labor, and rendering their position and treatment as much as possible like those growing in the open air.
the leaves of the plant frequently with
your dress. Dusty air is fatal to plants. Get good, healthy plants to begin with, keep not more than you can comfortably, and select plants according to facilities, regarding light and temperature,
a
you have for them. For
plant that requires shade
flourish versa.
in a
instance,.
will
nob
sunny window, and vice
.
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, TEMPEHATURE FOR HOUSE PLANTS.
away rapidly
be found to come from a uniform temperature of 45° or 50° F., at night, and 60° to 70° 80° is too hot except in the daytime for only some plants of semi-tropical character. Under no circumstances should the temperature go below 35°. Tlie greatest success will
quently. It
when the plant
35
189:3.
will
it
is
need replacing
soil
and the
well drained
is
up the
iises
fre-
generally a sign of health
water
surplus of
quickly.
;
Dust and dryness of the atmosphere two greatest troubles of indoor first
is
avoided
by covering the plants with a light cloth while the room is being swept, and when it has accumulated it is removed by placing the pots in a sink or washtub, and showering the foliage with tepid water from a pot provided
The second
Avith a fine rose.
come
to
a
certain extent by
is
over-
keeping-
water on the furnace or stove that heats the room heat.
it
if
Open
be
fires
warmed by
give but
artificial
little
trouble,
while hot-air heaters are as unhealthy for plants as for
recommended
is
Another plan
man.
to place the pots on
clean sand kept constantly moist.
The sand may
be spread to the depth
two inches in a shallow zinc box of the size of the windowsill upon which the plants usually stand.
of about
WHEN AND HOW " When is
TO WATER.
shall I water
my
plants
a vexed question, asked perhaps
" ?
more
frequently than any other by the beginner.
First,
and, second,
itself;
This depends entirely upon the
form more readily
The
the roots.
it
converts
when the
fit
for absorption by
roots can obtain
Never give water when the
is
soil
the most frequently, and yet it may appear a contradiction to say that the plants which contain the most watery tissues, the cacti, grow in the dryest places.
Water cold from the well
or
pump
is
not suitable for plants, unleSs of a tem-
Rain water is best, supposed to contain some
perature of 60°. for this
is
ammonia from the sky. The best rule in all cases is water warm to the hand. Some
little
to use florists
advise water not colder than the atmosphere.
We
believe
it
generally best to
warmer. In cool mornings it should be lukewarm, say not under 55°. Over 150° is neither necessary nor safe. Nearly all plants require more when in flower than at any other time.
use
it
The supply
lated according to the
oughly wet is totally unfit for jjlant growing. The real idea each cultivator should aim at is to supply the plants with water which may drain rapidly through the pots, yet sufficient being retained to give a good moist soil for the If the water jmsses plant to live in.
only
moist to the touch, but wait until it is dry The healthiest plants require water
water than others, and yet a
thor-
it
dampened.
soil is
nature of the plant, for some need more soil
water supmatter con-
the nourishment of the soil into a liquid
are the
The
of watering should be
plies to the roots fertilizing
tained in
PRECAUTION AGAINST DUST.
flower-growing.
The purposes
better understood.
plants.
of
water
must be regu-
demand
of the
Calla Lillies will absorb water
two or three times other plant.
If
easily obtained
as quickly as
any
rain water cannot be
and hard water
is
the
only source on hand, add a little soda use a to it and let it stand for awhile ;
small piece, say a small nugget of the
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,
HQ
gallon, on that pour about a pint of boiling water, and then fill it up with cold water. It will be quite warm, and a thorough drenching overhead and in the pots will vastly improve their color and health. A drop or two of hartshorn will also correct hard water somewhat. In watering, never wet merely the surface, but moisten the whole ball of earth in the
size of a pea, to every
If the ball
pot.
set
should yet be very dry,
the whole pot
water
it
till
morning
a pail
in
warm The
of
soaked through.
is
head, but plants with hard, varnished
may
leaves
Avill
plants absorb a great deal of moisture, it will
do no harm to leave a
the
saucer.
Among
in
watering,
the
Plants in cases
of
caution
Some
the leaves.
whose
be
to
observed
:
Begonia Rex, so large and grand, has
'J'ake
foliage,
a,n exquisite
the
;
if its
leaves were
to be
sponged with cold water, and the plant left out on the balcony or in open
would probably die very soon, but a Camelia can be treated in the same way and not be injured in the
iiiv, it
slightest.
The
last
The reasons for it are good. plant has a hard, shiny leaf,
which can
resist
rough treatment
;
the other has a succulent, tender
The
easily affected.
generally find
it
novice, then,
true that
the
but
once conis
plants, Avliich delight
need
situations, Avater
it
twice
Avhen the sun
is
TREATMENT OF FROZEN PLANTS. During the cold liable
get
to
spells
our plants are
"snapped" by "Jack
In spite of our precaution in
Frost."
some may be found frozen
in the morning.
happens, don't get discour-
Take the frozen plants tenderly and dip them into cold Avater, as the aged.
cistern or hydrant furnishes
the plant
is
it
(or if
too large for that, sprinkle
minute or
two), then place complete darkness, and in three days at the most you will find it
coloring
is
hot.
If this
are
Some
Xever
other details
plants should never be wetted on
be Avatered
evaporation
open rooms once a day
in very moist
a day.
in
items
may
for there
fined, but in
stiff
following
a
ing, they need very little indeed.
their behalf, little
It is also
;
sufficient.
dipped into Avarm shaken over the plants will imitate a summer shower. Care should be taken that the pots have good drainage, for then all surplus water will run into the saucer, which may be emptied as fast as filled. In warm, mild weather, when
folloAV Avith clear
good rule to observe that the colder the weather the less Avater must be given and Avhen plants are at rest, done groAV-
•common hand-brush, made corn,
frequently.
remove the soap.
a Aveek
broomwater and
Avatered
Then
clear them.
Avater to
watering during the cold season, while the evening is best in summer. A of
be
Tepid Avater should be invariably used, even doAvn to the height of summer. If jilants get infested with vermin, a sponging with soap, as sold by the florists, and Avater made into a lather,
the best time of the day for
is
189^
for a
them them If
in
as fresh as ever.
the pots are set back at night
from the
AvindoAvs
on a
table, they will often
shelf,
mantle or
escape freezing.
Fastening a blanket or several thicknesses of paper against the
windows out-
side will also tend to protect
them.
leaf,
may
plants
with soft, porous and hairy leaves should be very cautiously Avetted over-
A
year's subscription for
make
The Aqua-
a very pretty and interesting Christmas present for some of RiUiAi Avill
your friends.
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY. TilE CLIMBING PEKCH. The
fresh waters of India
well as those of Southern Africa, are
inhabited by a family of fishes of more interest,
which
is
due not
only to the food value of some of
members, but
its
also to the singularity of
their habits— their
power
of
enduring
a prolonged stay out of their native This family is known scienelement. the Anabantidae, or fishes The with labyrinthiform branchia?. family name is derived from the generic tifically as
<lesignation of one of the chief genera,
The anabantids vary
Anabas. erably in
form and
2:
throw some doulit upon
and the
islands of the adjoining archipelago, as
than usual
1893.
consid-
peculiarities
of
this
alleged
The climbing perch (Ana-
function.
bas scandens, Cuv. and Val.)
is perhaps one of the best known species of this family of fishes, and inhabits the fresh
waters of
Malaysia, and
India,
the
This fish has an oblong and slightly compressed body, with a rounded head and inflated cheeks and gullet. It is of a rifle green color, lighter in the abdomen, with four dark vertical diffused bands passing from the back to the abdomen. In the young Philippine Islands.
fish
a dark spot
the base of the
generally present at
is
The
tail.
fins are dai'k
green, but in clear water tend to
come
As
reddish.
to
its
be-
habits. Dr.
appearance resemble such of our fresh water fishes as the sunfishes, grass bass and black bass for instance. In other words they are oblong, laterally compressed fishes,
Francis Day, in the "Fishes of Malabar," says that the climbing qualities
covered with scales of moderate size with ventral fins thoracic, with the
tainly with difficulty, says he, that they
structure, but
in
general
attributed to
in other parts of India
it
and Ceylon are
believed
fully
the inhabitants of Malabar.
by
in
It is cer-
can be retained in an aquarium since, covered,
or its
summit
dorsal and anal fins with spines anteri-
unless
and generally in large numbers, and with the uppermost element of the
upward
gill-bearing arches peculiarly modified;
progress along the ground in two ways;
the uppermost element of each
either by lying flat on their sides, flap-
orily
that
is,
side, instead of being straight
and
solid
as in most fishes, is excessively developed, and provided with several thin plates or folds erect from the surface of the bone and from the roof of the skull These to which the bone is attached. plates by their intersection form chambers and are lined with avascular
mem-
it is
is
of a foot above the water, they
invariably
ping their
They
escape.
tails,
moving
are able to
their pectoral
by the aid of the latter finsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; first one being advanced and then the other. They can erect fins,
or else chiefiy
their fins
and likewise their
pleasure, even
down
scales at
to those along the
basis of the caudal fin.
This power of
erection, especially as
also exists
in
would be of great sistance did they employ the latter
as-
covers,
brane which is supplied with large blood vessels, and it was formerly sup-
the
p)osed that the chamber referred to had the office of receiving and retaining supplies of water which should trickle down and keep the gills moist, and
climbing.
gill
it
The hollow
in
super- bronchial
organ, with from two to six laminal (the number of which depend on the
such was supposed to be the adaption
age of the specimen,) with fringed valances, enables the "climbing perch"
for the sustentation of life out of water.
to retain water for a considerable time,
Some
so that
experiments, however,
tend to
it
can mois'ei)
its gills
and
live
;
AQUARIUM, JANUARY,
TFIE
28 awhile out of
Ham-
native element.
its
Buehannan observes that he has
ilton
known
it
under these That it travels pond when its means of
to retain vitality
conditions for six days.
from pond
to
subsistence fail
is
a well
known
fact
mud
the
as but that it buries until there remain and up, tanks dry the monsoon of the next year fills them with water is a statement that requires further research before it can be acitself in
These
cepted.
being
fishes
1893.
cooked with meat, either
To
collect the roots
salt or fresh.
the Indians
wad&
and loosen them with their feet, when they float up and aregathered. They are of an oblong shape, in color whitish yellow, banded witli into the water
four black 1870).
rings
They
(U.
serve as
S.
Agr. Rept.,
food for the In-
dians of Washington, under the of
Wappatoo.
name
In shallow ponds and
common
in most pieces of fresh water in Malabar,
and being esteemed good eating by
the natives, are natives
much
The
fished for.
when catching them
invariably
head to destroy life. On one occasion, says Surgeon Day, this practice led to a fatal result, the fish having bite their
slipped
down the
man
could not be withdrawn, owing
it
throat of the fisher-
to the erectile nature of the gill covers
and
scales,
and the man died of
suffo-
cation before reaching the hospital.
THE SAGITTARIA OR ARROWHEAD. In the great economy of Nature the contributed their full
sagittaria have
share to the support of
family in
all
human
the
parts of the world.
The
Chinese and Japanese cultivate them very extensively for food, also the Tartar
Kalmucks
use
them
for
food.
The Arrow Head.
Aquatic birds are fond of them, and resort to favorite spots in spring to feast
upon the
when the Indians slay their own feasts. The
tubers,
the birds for
tubers are generally as large as hens'
and are greatly relished when raw, but have a bitter, milky juice, eggs,
not agreeable to civilized
man
;
this
is
destroyed in boiling, however, and the roots
They
'Ave
rendered sweet and palatable.
are
considered excellent
when
of lakes and rivers throughout the Northwest this plant, so variable in foliage and so abundant in distribution, furnishes an important
muddy margins
article
of native
food in
the tubers
These which beset its affording their fact of tubers, from the nourishment to the larger aquatic fowls which congregate in such abundance about the Northwestern lakes, are fibrous roots.
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY, ÂŤalled by the Chippewas Wab-esi-pinig or
swan potatoes, a name which has
been naturally appropriated to several streams in that region. Wabesipinicon, meaning the abode of the swan potato {Owen's Survey of the N. W.).
From
the foregoing extracts
how
be seen
employed
know
very
will
universally they have been assist in the
to
human
of the
it
maintenance
family, and probably
little
yet
how
we
extensively
now
brittle,
and stoloniferous. Next, the sometimes phyllodic (submerged and riband-like), others are an fibrous
are
leaves
up
to near the
of the earth, and there
erect
elliptical,
blade,
lastly,
the leaf developed
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; arrow-shaped.
look at the flower
let
us
the lower ones are
;
kind, while
but occasionally
^S*.
coarse
of producing
bottom of the tub
or long, creeping
below the surface of the
They
true
its
yellow centre (stamens), usually single,
throws out in-
its
roots, the sagittaria present the feature
just
into
Again,
are sterile
variabilis,
roots,
tall,
usually fertile, producing seed to per-
numerable fibrous roots, which is the true crown from which sj^ring the leaves, flowers and stolons, and is also the plant centre during summer. By the 1st of June the milky juice (starch or saccharine, etc.) has usually been absorbed by the new growth of the plant, and the corm is then a soft and flexible, or spongy mass, reminding one of a sprouted and growing potato, while by the middle of July or 1st of August we would not find any corm, but found decayed masses which we were reasonably certain were the remains of the former corms. In addition to tuberous and fibrous stolojis
upon a
round, or slightly angular stem, and
root-
approach of warm
weather, starts a large, porous stock, reaching
three
of
forms, the tuberous,
surface
the earth, being the germ from which the plant starts in spring. From the first
as the sagitta-
are
the upper ones and barren, or each flower stock producing bowers with the sexes separate and still on the same stock. The flowers are borne on long, leafless, branched stems, well above the foliage, with pure white petals and a
and find in early spring a solid, tuberous corm, down deep in
corm, at the
roots
entirely distinct
petuate
Illinois,
genus of plants that
different forms of de-
the
First,
ria.
many
Ohio, Indiana and
many
velopment in each plant
form
in
29
recall a single
present so
they have been emiDloyed in North America. We have collected them from a great localities
1893.
from the stem, and
sagittaefolia
and
S.
have been found growing wild with double flowers. European nurserymen offer these varieties
var.
now
latifolia,
for sale.
Sagittaria natans and
<S'.
lanciolata
soon became favorites of American and
European aquarists. For growing in an aquarium we find few plants better suited, and for a fountain, small lake or pond, it has few equals. In their natural condition they are found growing in soft, muddy or sandy ground, consequently the conditions for a successful cultivation viz. if
all
:
grown
for
must be continued, loamy soil, \yhile,
in soft,
pot or tub
culture, a layer of
sand or small pebbles in is
the
always desirable for
kinds of aquatic plants
;
at the
same
usually
time a layer of clean, fine sand, spread over the top of the soil, not only looks
roots,
bright and cheerful, but very materi-
earth.
start
from just above the fibrous and creep out horizontally from the jilant in all directions. We do not
ally assists in purifying the water.
Of
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
THE AQUARIUM, JANUARY,
50
the
course
species
tropical
not
will
withstand oar winter, but must be protected the same as other tropical plants,
but they can be allowed to remain in a neglected corner until required again The *S'. for the lawn or show house. sinensis
may or
very easy culture
of
it
;
be grown either way, in water, moss If treated like the Chinese
soil.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
grown in a bowl of water makes a very graceful and attractive
narcissus it
is
specimen within a few weeks after is
it
planted.
THE TERRARIUM OR FERN CASE. Every one who has had experience with the glass shade fernery or the Wardian case, will have found that they give very
The
little
history of the
or no satisfaction.
Wardian
case dates
back to 1839, when a gentleman by the name of Ward, of London, first noticed accidentally the growth of vegetation under a closed glass. He had placed the chrysalis of an insect, with some mould, in a glass bottle and covered it A short time afterward, as he over. describes it, " a speck or two of vegetation appeared on the. surface of the
mould, and
his surprise
to
to be a fern and a grass.
was awakened
;
turned out His interest
he placed the bottle in
a favorable situation
and found that
the plants continued to grow and mainThis was tain a healthy appearance." the
first
idea of the
Wardian
case,
and
a very good one, to preserve the plants for the scientist for a short time.
when
it
comes
to
But
practical use for the
amateur, who wishes to see the various ferns and ornamental foliage plants
put forth their beautiful leaves, it is a failure. He will do well if he preserves the old leaves the plants already have
1893.
when introduced
new
into the case, the
growth will be slender and sickly looking. But suppose the plants are in a fair condition, they are concealed under the sweating glass shade, like gold fish are in a globe filled with Is it
muddy
water.
not but half the jileasure of growing
when you can not work 'round them, pick away a leaf you don't like, and train another one in a desired
plants,
All this is prevented when direction ? your plants are in a closed case whether it is a round or a square one. In constructing a practical fern case, or terrarium,
we
it
in
contradistinction to an aquarium,
we
as
shall
call
were guided by the following points, 1. Plants, with few exceptions, must be protected against sudden changes of
and too They must be
temperature, draught, dust,
dry an atmosphere.
3.
supplied with fresh air and moisture,
both to their roots and over their age.
Our
case
is
constructed
folias.
follows:
An a zinc
oblong wooden base is lined with pan three inches deep, with a.
hole in the centre for
top glass, which tilation, isin a
is
drainage.
adjustable for
frame, and this
is
The venr
sup-
ported at each corner by a thin iron rod, twelve inches or more, over the
bottom part. The glass on the sides and ends is loosely fastened, without ptitty, in the grooves between top and The good fitting edges of the bottom. glass still admit a slight circulation of The glass that forms the front air. can be slid up through the top, thus forming a handy door. To admit circulation of the warm room atmosphere, the whole case is raised by four two-inch balls, which serve as legs, over the surface of the This simple structure furnishes table. all the necessary protection most plants
need.
THE AQUAKIUM, JANUARY, Inarmiigiiig such a ternirium
landscape gardening can
even
indulged
be
A little lake caii be formed by means of a shallow bowl or birds' bath, over which a little rustic bridge can be built. Rockwork can be formed with pieces of tu If stone, which lycopodium freely decorates, and to liven up the scenin.
ery,
newts, salamanders,
frogs,
tree
and very small
lizards
terrarium
such
of
and
pleasant
is
Through the
the
are
turtles
The management
things
a
simple.
sliding door you are able
when
to sprinkle the plants
imperfect
to pick out
necessary,
leaves,
lake
for
evenings,
before
the
pasteboard
for the purpose or a thick
fire
and box
cloth,
thus affording shelter against the cold-
I place a
and the injurious, unnat-
night lamp,
is
cheaper.
:
contrived
warming the water
device
a
for
where my paradise fish are. It is simple and I will describe it, but you effective.
may have
in the tank
better ways.
"It consists of what you might call an
ordinary can, without a of tinned copper,
it
lid
;
it is
made
projects about
a
aquarium frame in carry oS any unpleasant odor
half inch above the
order to
from the lamp.
The can
is
ten inches
high, three inches wide, and four inches long, shaped similar to a
Through
I find
The small
well.
with kerosene (high
filled
was left in all night. The temperature was kept well up to 70" of course in colder weather the heat will have to be increased. This can is held down by wires which spring under the ;
top frame, being soldered to the corners the
Some
can.
boys
little
which
the can,
de-
some window, as
excites
curiosity, being in the store
Perhaps the above value to you, and
nothing new or of
is
and yon would any plainer description of it, I will have a friend of mine picture it for you. Another time I would build it in a if it is
like
rockwork.
M. S."
S.
lIEATINa AN A.QUARIUM. We received the following communihave
is
test),
Our way
"I
very
more heat
if
ural light.
cation
;.
use an alcohol lamp, u sing-
I
wood alcohol, which the scheme works
scribed
ventilation,
cover the case with a
er night air
required,
crosses
In this can,
a place for the fish to sleep at night.
goes down, close the
made
under this tube,
directly
of
longer
tube
brass
small night lamp, and
value
preservation.
In cold
diametei')
the joints are water-tight.
or to
place some cut flowers, that you highly, in the small
inch
31
1893.
wash
boiler.
this can, at a height of about
three and a half or four inches, or so as to be about the centre of the water contained in the aquarium, a hollow (half
follows
:
A
to heat
an aquarium
sheet-iron pan,
is
as-
similar to
an ordinary roasting pan, and about one half inch larger all round, outsidemeasurement, than the bottom of the tank which
is
to
be heated,
is
filled
on this the aquarium is placed. The whole is set on a framework, or on an open top Under the pan, on a shelf, a table. small petroleum lamp, of the kind often used in cigar stores, with two burners, and each with a chimney, is set. After the aquarium has been put in order and with two inches of sand
filled
with water of
80'^
;
F., the
two
lamps are lighted and kept burning until you find that the sand has become quite warm, and the temperature of ihe water, which was sinking, is beginningWhen the water is again to rise again. between 7U'^ and 80*^ V., you may put
THE AQUAEIUM, JANUARY,
32
out one lamp, as one is generally sufficient to keep up this temperature during the daytime when the room is heated by a stove or open fire. At night, however, when the
out,
tire is
and
in
severely cold weather, also in the daytime, the two lamps are necessary. We have kept the water of an eight gallon at 70'' F. without difficulty
aquarium
when the thermometer
outside stood
^3° F. below zero, and the temperature of the room could not be raised above
60° F. The expense for oil to about five cents a week.
rTS
will
amount
1893.
and admire them it is
not natural.
—
Miss Emily S. A floating island an aquarium is constructed as Take a piece of rough cork follows bark, as it can be bought at any drug store, say of about two and a half by six Mix common garden soil with inches. watercress and canary seed, and with this mixture fill up the cracks on the for
:
rough side of the cork wood. Now l^lace it on the water, the rough side upward. In a very short time the seeds will grow and pres'Mit a charming
when
appearance, especially
Queries.
Sea-shells do
there.
not belong into a fresh- water aquarium;
cress
large
is
enough
to
the water-
droop over the
edge of the "island" and hang into the
The
water.
effect
can be improved by
placing a miniature fisher-hut or a swan-
house on the island.
We
cheerfully answer,
queries •or '.s
made
in regard to
Window Gardening enclosed,
once,
at
all
Aquariums
return jiostage
if
and publish only such an-
swers in this column as
may
be of gen-
eral interest.
Miss
L.
— We advise you to leave the
*'odd little crawfish" out of your aquarium, as they are very destructive to plants, and in case one should die, will poison the water in a few hours time. You can keep them by themselves in a
S
P.
good for aquaria in their tadpole state, and after that should be inhabitants of the terrarium.
MissB. E.
— You are right
;
it is
the
canary bird that causes your trouble.
A
aquarium will would hang a basket of
bird in a cage over an
them
never do.
with a small piece of beef occasionally,
plants in
glass jar, but don't forget to feed
—
Small bullfrogs will prove A small frog an aquarium, which we raised from a tadpole, swallowed a goldfish of fully twice its own size; the tail part stuck out of its mouth, hence the discovery. Frogs are only J.
fatal in
We its
place.
otherwise they will eat each other.
Mrs. W.
— Geraniums
tered over in a
damp
can
by hanging them up by the the
plants are
hung up with
in
be
win-
cellar successfully
pots,
roots.
If
they can be
the pot, in the same
manner,
Mrs,
W.— Ed — We
would put those
beautiful sea-shells on the mantlepiece
Spring Aquarium, which In
the
.
Number
of
The
appear in the first part of Mar ch, we will begin a series of papers on the Denominative Characteristics of
will
American Fishes,
Salamanders and their Breeding Habits, Aquatic Plants in their Homes and Ours, and Garden Topics.
Self-Sustaining
Aquarium. MARINE AND FRESH "WATER
MARK SAMUEL, 10 East l6tt\ Street, Change
DIEEGTIDNS.
FOOD
The
and thrive, when in nature, are combined in this preparation.
ONE TRIAL
Besides being nutritious fishfood, as prepared
WILL
I.
by
X. L.
us, im-
proves the shapes and colors of
CONVINCE
the
YOU.
fish.
Feed daily, allowing a small mouthful for each fish. For
PRICE,
baby-fish,
still
in the nursery,
it
should be powdered and then fed in very small quantities three or four times a day.
cts.
a package, prepaid
by mail.
FISH FOOD,
various foods on which
the different kinds of fishes live
MADE.
25
YorK.
of water unnecessary.
THE BEST
FISH
New
HUGO PLERTT,
Five Packages for
MANUFACTURER,
BROOKLYN,
$1.00.
N. Y.
HUGO MULERTT, IMPORTER AND EXPORTER OF
EvEiatiiinD lor 173 NO STORE
!
tiie
fluuaiium,
NOSTRAND AV.. BROOKLYN,
N. Y.
W. FISKE,
J
MANl/FACTURER OF
H Q U M R 39 and 41
I
H
,
PARK PLACE, NEW YORK.
AQUARIA STOCK ALW^AYS ON HAND Gold, Pearl, Silver, Sun,
and Rock Fish, Turtles, IN
etc.,
THEIR SEASON.
Japanese Gold Fish. ALSO
Aquaria Plants,
Full
line
all varieties.
of
Arches, Rocks,
Grottoes,
etc., carried
in stock.
Manufacturer of Fountains,
Also
Lamp
Posts,
Drinking Fountains, Settees, Railings,
Chairs,
etc.
CATALOGUE FURNISHED GRATIS UPON APPLICATION.
SIF^TED
MCALLISTER'S
BIRD 5EED.
SUPERIOR PREPARED
MOCKING-BIRD FOOD
YOU WANT BIRD SEED FREE FROM
IF
GRAVEL
DIRT,
AND
FOR
HOTES,
MocloDg-Mrds,
ASK YOUR GROCER OR DRUGGIST FOR
Robins,
TVYcKLUISTE R'S.
AND ALL SOFT-BILL
carefully selected best quality of canary, Gterman rape, and imported millet seeds, and is pntnp fresh in one-pound boxes.
This seed
BIRDS.
;
YOUR BIRD HAS LOST HIS VOICE,
SHEPPARD'S SONG RESTORER, OR TREAT, Is
Blackbirds,
Skylarks,
This ijreparation is. the purest, healthiest, and cheapest bird food known, it s ingredients, approximating closely to the food of birds in their natural state and its use in all cases causes a marked improvement in their song and appearance.
is
IF
Tbmsljes,
Nightingales,
SHEPPARD'S GENUINE PREPARED FISH FOOD.
A
an invigorating tonic that is sure to get the bird into song again.
perfectly pure article,â&#x20AC;&#x201D; specially prepared for feeding Gold Fish, Etc., kept in Aquaria or Globes.
FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS AND AT ALL BIRD STORES.
DEALER IN
FLOVy^ER 22
AND GARDEN
DEY STREET,
-
-
SEED, ETC.,
NEW
TORK.