u^
V
290^ DIVISION C? FI5!SS U* S. HAxlOt^Ah
Vol. III.
OCTOBER,
1893.
I'Xj^^
No. 29.
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THE
AQTIARIXrM.
OCTOBER,
Vol. hi.
Copyright
1893.
DENOMINATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH WATER
in
the water
29.
they are adhesive and
;
stick to the object until hatched, I'equires
FISHES.
No.
1893.
All Rights Reserved.
from three
which
to twelve days, ac-
cording to temperature and difference III.
THE CARP-LIKE
of species.
{Cyprinidae.)
This family of
fishes is
species are as follows
much
prises
some very choice and valuable
over the globe and com-
(Cyjjrinus carpio.)
The body
of this fish
by the
naked head, the body being covered with scales, the toothless mouth and
The head
is
small and
carries
two pairs
mouth being much As stated above the general remarks, the mouth is
the corners of the
larger than the other.
barbies,
though their existence is not a dominant feature of the family. The cyprisalmonidae, possess
nidae unlike the
no adipose
fin.
The spawning
occurs during the spring and
months, just locality
may
as the
be,
circumstances of the
and they belong there-
fore to the great division of
spawners.
The
season
summer
eggs
are
summer deposited
against aquatic plants or other material
in
which
of barbies, the one near
well developed lips, the dorsal fin soft,
witli
supplied with
well developed lips, the upper of
and the air bladder large and divided, something like an hour-glass. Some supplied
stout and
is
elongated, the sides being compressed.
purposes of the table. The family is characterized
are
Le Carpe.
Der Edelkarpfen.
species, that are highly prized for the
species
:
THE SCALE OR NOBLE CARP. distributed
pretty
all
The leading
FISHES.
toothless,
though the
fish
is
provided
with masticating organs. These organs are situated far back in the pharynx or throat and consist of pharynThese geal bones armed with teeth. bones are operated by appropriate muscles which give to them a motion like that of the jaws opening and closing
during the act of chewing. The action may be illustrated by spreading the fingers of the two hands and moving
THE AQL^ARIUM, OCTOBER,
66
the hands to and from each other, allowing the fingers of one
hand
to pass into
the spaces between those of the other.
The
upon these bones
teeth
are shed
every spring, their places being supplied with
new
The
ones.
color of the
body of the fish is generally of a dark olive brown on the back and sides, though it will vary according to circumstances the abdomen may be ;
either yellowish white or orange tinted.
The
entire body
uniform
a
of
covered with scales
is
of
size,
course propor-
tioned to the size of the individual.
The
dorsal fin
is
on the mid-
situated
dle of the back, extending nearly to the
and consists of three
tail
third one of which
from
is
sjiines,
serrated,
the
and has
fifteen to eighteen soft rays.
The
carp attains a length of from
tries just
1893.
As is well known when removed
mentioned.
the fish declines in
size,
from the warmer regions of the temperate zones, yet notwithstanding this fact, the
Germans and Austrians have it with the most marked
cultivated success.
Nearly every farmer has his carp-pond and devotes as much attention to the breeding and raising of the carp as is usually done with cattle, sheep, etc., the world over. So profitable is it, that an acre of water will yield as high a rent as an acre of the richest soil. The cultivation of the carp in Europe has grown to immense proportions, in evidence of which a few of the larger
may be mentioned. The carp-ponds belonging to the manor establishments of Wittengau,
in
Bohemia, of which
three to four feet and weighs then be-
the Princess of Schwarzenberg
tween thirty and forty pounds. There are individual cases on record in which the weight has reached nearly one hundred pounds, but this is the exception. The carp has become a very important
proprietress,
fish,
ing
because of it
pond
to
its
habits readily adapt-
culture.
The common
carp was known to the both Aristotle and Pliny
ancients, as
have noticed them, though it appears the ancients did not value the fish near as much as do the people in modern In central Europe, where
it is
difficult
coming from
to obtain sea-fish, those
fresh water are, of necessity, greatly in
demand and In view of
come an
are
this,
prized
accordingly.
carp culture has be-
interest of national importin
Germany and
The growth
of the fish, its
especially
Austria. habits,
acres.
the
and cover an area of 22,000
The annual
yield of fish
one-
is
These ponds are known to be the largest on the globe, and the cultivation of the carp in them has been carried on for many half million of pounds.
centuries.
Similar establishments are
found on the manor Konigswartha, in
Upper
Lusatia, with 205 ponds, extend-
ing over an area of 9,000 acres
;
the
manor Peitz-Cottbus (Brandenburgh), with 72 ponds, covering 5,600 acres;
times.
ance,
fifty (250),
is
number two hundred and
etc.,
so
together
with
various
methods of fattening it, have been closely and practically studied, with the most gratifying success in the coun-
manor Trachenwhich are the third largest in Germany. To these must be added thousands of ponds, scattered all over the country, before an adequate idea can be had of the extent to which the industry is prosecuted. The custom of keeping the fish in artificial ponds has furnished opportunities the celebrated ponds of
berg
(Silesia),
for close observation, notably so
spect to age.
It is
not at
for specimens to live to
all
in re-
unusual
"a good
old
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
1893.
67
age," in the full acceptation of the term, and instances have been recorded
burg, near Berlin, some very large and
where the age was a full century, though this has been eclipsed by the
the bell
At the pond
old carp are exhibited to visitors. AVlien
having been known to live to the ripe age of one hundred and fifty years. This would seem incrodible were the
are fed
fact not well authenticated.
large
fish
as
is
any
Tradition,
is
rung,
it
being the signal for
their feeding time, the surface of the
pond near the bridge from which they is lashed into a foam by the
number
of carp, in their endeavors
always the case, tends to magnify
to get a share of the black rye bread
may
with which they are fed. This fish, when purely bred and
natural
phenomena that
either be wonderful or astonishing, and
upon a systematic
has gathered about the carp a halo of
raised
romance. It is said, though the story cannot be vouched for, that the tame carp in the ponds of Fontainebleau
sidered in
Ift ulerllt.
;
it is
first
rank.
Germany
diet, is
con-
as a delicacy of the
Should an esteemed
visitor
German
host, a
abide at the house of a
Del
were placed there during the reign of Francis I. this of course would give them an age of more than three and a half centuries, a thing very difficult of belief when unaccompanied with convincing evidence. However, all this may be,
Schloss-Charlotten-
of
not uninteresting to know.
At an advanced age the carp
loses
assuming a dull ashy color, while at the same time moss is found to grow upon the head and back. By long care and training the carp, like many other fish, seem to recognize the golden hue of
its scales,
certain sounds, as for instance,
thev are called to be fed.
when
rich
and
with
all
Indeed, is
delicious
carp
is
served
up
the honors of the household.
with
the Germans, the carp
the beau ideal of a Christmas dish,
just as with
us
is
the turkey.
Great
carp festivals (Karpfen Schmauss) are celebrated in the fall of each year, to
which many people from a distance to regale themselves upon the fish they love so much. On these oc-
repair
casions all the resources of the culinary art are
drawn upon
to prepare the carp
most appetizing and enticing forms, no trouble being thought too great to make the feast thoroughly enjoyable and a gastronomic success. The in the
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
68 fish selected are
those that weigh about
three or four pounds, as at that period of their
growth they exhibit the most deland delicious flavor. To j) reserve
pond, but
1893.
five
From
three-inch carp.
beginning
small
this
others
the
all
sprang, and were the only carp in this
this in the cooking, the coat of scales
country until 1876, when Spencer F. Baird, Esq., the United States Fish
not removed and besides, when so is not altered much,
the fish to the farmers of the country,
icate
is
prepared, the shape
much more presentable when served upon the table.
thus making a ai^pearance
A is
remarkable peculiarity of the carp
that
it
will live for a great length of
time out of water,
damp
kept moist with
if
that the dairymen in Hol-
land take advantage of this fact and
suspend the
fish
their
in
dairies
The food given them
fatten them.
to is
bread soaked in milk, and under this treatment they are said to fatten quickly, while at the same time the flesh acquires a
The
most delicious flavor. is somewhat
history of the carp
obscure, and though, as already stated, it
is
made
fish either originated
over that continent.
From Germany the
carp was brought United States for the first time
1872, by the late
Mr. J. A. Poppe,
Germany, but at that time residing on his farm in Sonoma, Cal. The specimens he left Europe with were of various sizes and age, to the number of 83. They were bred near a native of
Reinfeld (Holstein).
New York
The carp
Upon
arriving at
there remained alive but 8
out of the whole
lot.
On
the
way
to
San Francisco they remained alive, but after reaching there two more succumbed, and still another on the journey to the farm. There remained then to Mr. Poppe, with which to stock his
is
easily
raised
country, for our climate offers every
that
Danube, or was introduced from Persia into Europe, and gradually became distributed and acclimated all
with stock to breed from, also
states
free of charge.
of its nativity. It appears,
in the
in
Carp are now bred in the so-called Carp-ponds at Washington, D. (J., and distributed free of charge to anyone making application for some. Several State Fish Commissions have also engaged in this laudable enterprise and furnish the people of their several
The
to the ancients,
however, that the
to the
an tlior.
no men-
was known
tion
imported several other varieties. These were still further supplemented by the importation of others by the varieties
National
grass or moss.
It is said
Commissioner, perceiving the value of
this
opportunity for the culture.
habits, too, of it
in
varied and
is
the
prefers sluggish
ities.
It
warm
location,
such
fish are
readily adapts itself to
new
local-
water, in a
and thrives upon insects, Crustacea and vegetable matter. If kept in ponds, its omnivorous appetite will be satisfied with anything However, it is that a hog would eat. not to be presumed that such a promiscuous bill of fare would be conducive to the production of a delicately flavored fish, for dieting
is
a most im-
portant essential element in bringing
about a successful
At the at
result.
third year, the
carp arrives maturity and begins to spawn in the
summer
of that year, when the temperature of the water rises to about 70째
F.
and
At
this
time they become lively
vivacious, losing all timidity
precaution, so
that
they easily
prey to numerous enemies. or
more male
fish
follow
Two, a
and
fall
a
tliree
female.
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, chasing her to some shallow place where
an abundance of water
there
is
They
lash the water
plants.
in a lively way,
twisting the posterior portion
of
the
1893.
69
examination, be found covered very profusely with little yellowish eggs about
the size
of
a
pinhead.
These hatch
variously in from six to fifteen days, just
body energetically and shooting through
as the circumstances of the locality
the water near
the temperature of the water
its
surface, with short,
tremulous movements of the fins. At places they gather together in a compact mass, one tumbling over another this ;
is
the
moment when
the female drops
As
able.
kinds of
is
the case with
fish,
it
is
and
favor-
is
many
other
only during the
spawning season that the sexes may be distinguished with certainty.
The skin upon
times, the female probably drops but a
the forehead and jiarts back of the male become covered with tubercles, which again disappear when the spawning time is over.
few hundred eggs at a time and she
About three days
may, therefore, consume days or weeks
young have absorbed the yolk-bag, and begin moving about in search of someBy the following Nothing to eat.
her eggs, which are immediately im-
of the
pregnated by the male.
As
this
process
is
repeated several
even in depositing her
full
quota of
spawn. A female weighing from 4 to 5 pounds, contains on an average between 400,000 and 500,000 eggs it is on account of this enormous fecundity ;
that the fish has received the
name
of
"carp," which means productive. The eggs are covered with some adhesive substance, mucous probably, and adhere to anything they may happen
The water-plants in the immediate vicinity of the place where the fish had been rolling about will, upon to touch.
vember,
if
after hatching, the
the circumstances have been
very favorable, the young can have attained a length of ten inches
;
this is
unusual, the rule being a length of from four to six inches.
They
are then of a
brilliant silvery color, the fins present
ing beautiful tints of bright vermilion.
During. the winter, in cold climes, carp do not increase in weight, doing well
if
they hold their own.
They pass
that season in a torpid state, buried in
the
mud
;
forty or fifty group together
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
70
and burrow or dig a
for the purpose
hole in the bottom of the pond in some
while in another place, and ignorantly treated,
as
Why
remain packed
carp
against each other, until the pleasant
terse
suitable place.
This hole
a "kettle," in
which the
downward and
head
weather of them.
is
known
fish
closely
spring again revives
the
In the succeeding
at
fall,
cir-
cumstances will weigh from one and one quarter to two pounds, and may, if everything has been propitious, double that weight. Some maintain that the carp at an age of 16 or 18 months will weigh eight or nine pounds, but this is extremely doubtful, even should the fish have been bred in the richest pond in America. Carp mix very readily with other fish
comgoldfish (Carrasius auratus). This great trouble to those
well posted, for the
ored
goldfish
young them,
very
scale-carp if
:
it
not
young and uncolclosely is
resemble
easy to separate
one but remembers that the
carp carries upon the upper pairs of barbies,
which feature
ing in the goldfish.
It is
two
lip is
lack-
necessary to
mention this distinction in order to guard against the worthless hybrids that already exist in this country.
We now
proceed to describe the ac-
knowledged best varieties of carp, all of which, the "golden carp" excepted, are now cultivated in the United States. Each variety of carp has some peculiarity or other of its own, and it is the proper development of these that makes the successful cultnrist,
when he
studies
an ignominious
is
?
The phrase "the
right fish for
and forcible language.
THE MIRROR OR KING CARP. {('.
rex cyprinorum.)
Der Spiegel Earpfen.
Carp d
This variety has a higher body than is but partly covered with scales. The latter are of
different sizes
and shapes, some of them
three or four times the size of those of
the
scale
This variation
carp.
carp shed their scales, the fact apparently seeming to prove the idea.
The
is deep black and edged around with
color of the scales
in the centre
silvery white, giving each scale the ap-
pearance of a miniature mirror
The with
locality
when
intelligently
in
one
handled.
hence
where
is
not protected
scales, is of a rich
creamy yellow
skin,
it
on the back, inclining to In some localities this
olive brown. fish is prized
above all other varieties of the family. This is not so much a matter of taste
many wonld suppose, but depends upon the success with which the fish is
as
cultivated in places that suit
it
best.
THE NAKED OR LEATHERCARP. {C. nuchis.)
Der Leder Karpfen.
As the name
indicates, this variety
very nearly or entirely naked,
is
certain variety of apple or potato
;
the name.
as soft as that of the catfish.
most successfully cultivated
has
given rise to the false impression that
results.
A
cnir.
that of the preceding and
the circumstances that produce the best
is
failure.
the right water" explains the idea in
of their kind, especially with our
mon may cause
it
should the same not apply to the
an age of
16 months, a carj) under ordinary
1893.
Its
is
skin
its
shape
the same as that of the mirror-carp,
differing only in color; the back sides are of a belly white.
and
brownish gray and the
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, THE GOLDEN-CARP.
The
This variety
and
is
tent.
our
Carp
d'or.
very popular in France
THE TENCH.
must not be confounded with goldfish, as it is in no wise
It
common
The
flesh is
gdden
color of
the scales, are due to the circumstances of locality it
and the quality
and
of food
upon
subsists.
With the exception flesh
of the color of
otherwise resembles
scales, it
{Tinea vulgaris.)
salmon-colored
of an exceedingly fine flavor, which,
together with the rich
which
in the city
park of Leipsic, the rear of the Opera House, and known as the "Swanpond " (Schwanen-Teich), is stocked exclusively with blue carp.
cultivated to a considerable ex-
identical.
and
is
pond situated
large
m
{C. aureus.)
Der Gold Karpfen.
71
1893.
the noble carp
Die
Teicli Schleihe.
Le
tanclie.
This species, although very closely allied to the carp proper, differs somewhat from it in the shape of the body (which in young specimens is cylindrical,) and to some extent in habits. It has but one pair of barbies, one situated at each corner of the mouth. The color
The Tench.
THE BLUE-CARP. {(J.
of the
nohilis.)
Carpe-Ueu.
Der Blaue Karpfen.
This variety, like the one above, also greatly resembles the noble carp. It is highly esteemed, especially so in and city of Leipsic, Saxony.
around the
When
cooked,
it still
retains the blue
though this geniously imitated by placing color of its scales,
is
in-
some
other variety in vinegar for awhile, the scales thus turning blue.
the
as " Karpfen blau," " Blauer Karpfen," the the genuine fish.
fish is
instead
name
of
In such cases
known
of
body
a beautiful golden-green,
is
darker on the back and shading off to a golden-yellow on the abdomen. It is protected with a coat of innumerable
(some 30,000 or more), covered with a thick coating or skin of slimy mucous, maksmall this
scales
in
ing the
turn,
fish
"as
The head
slippery as an eel."
small, the eyes comparatively so, but of a rich blood -red. The dorsal fin is small, consisting of is
but one spine and eight rays. It is a beautiful fish, and one very tenacious of life, thus rendering it easily cared for
and a desirable
aquarium.
addition
to
the
n
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
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QtrARTERLY MAGAZINE. Single Copies, 15
a Tear.
cts.
1893.
cts.
Each.
Sample Copies Free. Advertising Eates on Application.
HUGO MULERTT, 173 Nostrand Av.,
which
muddy, and feeds upon
is
may
such food as
be given the carp.
but
of
is
much
It
with the
latter,
slower growth,
rarely
cultivated together
is
bottom
best in ponds, the
It thrives
of
Publisher,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
exceeding eight pounds in weight. It has many admirers as an article of diet
and is a profitable, good selling fish. At the age of three years it commences to spawn, at the same season and after the same manner as the car]). The eggs are less adhesive than those of that fish, and when extruded, drop to the bottom among the water plants, remaining till hatched. The tench is
Design for an Ac^tarium Ornament.
The part
of the rockwork for below the surface of the water is Tuffstone. the miniature castle and bridge are fired clay.
-
VALLLSNERIA FOR THE WINTEH. Vallisneria spiralis that
sufficient
and is Germany, in
neria about three inches.
carp;
fact being native there.
THE GOLDEN-TENCH. {Tinea aureus.) Die Goldschleihe. Le tanche
The ground which is
color
of
native of
chrome-yellow,
speckled
also
is
d'or.
Germany, here and
there with intensely black spots scale
the thickness of about half an inch, has
this variety,
a
is
ornamented with a
;
each
dot
of
formed on the water. This ice is broken, and the pot containing the root or sets of the Vallisneria removed to an aquarium tank or similar vessel holding water, and kejit in a cool place in the house.
About Christmas this vessel is moved warmer room and placed where
reddish-gold, giving the fish a beauti-
appearance and making it very dean inmate of the aquarium, in which it does remarkably well, becoming very tame. ful
sirable as
{To Be Continued.) Errata— On page 40°F. instead of 10°F.
51,
third line
to be used
depth to cover the VallisThe tub is placed in the open air, in the garden, or on some roof where the sun will strike it, and left there until ice, to
also very productive, as
much so as the found pretty much all over
is
during the winter and in early spring, should now be collected and planted in a pot, using ordinary gravel, as found in the creeks, for soil. The pot is set in a tub of pure water of in the laboratory
from below, read
into a it
will get a
possible.
most
at
strong light
— sunlight,
if
Here the sets will start alonce. If wanted sooner, some
may
be started earlier, but they should have had frost, and a little rest sets
after that.
THE AQUARIUM. OCTOBER, CARNIVOROUS PLANTS. (Continued from
last
secretion in the stomachs of animals as soon as food is introduced. gastric
number.)
Meat
more wonderful were the communications made to the Paris Academy, in the beginning of 1872, by the botanist Still
He claimed that all dead albuonly then caused the leaves to be irritated, after holding it between the Ziegler.
men
would on the leaves by means of forhe claimed it jiroduced no motion
fingers for a short time, but if he
place ceps,
it
He claimed still further that
in the leaf.
by fastening,
at
a.
1893.
small distance from
the leaf, a bit of albumen obtained from
is
altered in appearance in a short
time by this Droficra was
The
fluid.
known
fluid of the
in olden times,
to the bruised j^lant,
mixed with
and salt,
were attributed the properties of drawing blisters. The leaves were always likened to the stomach of an animal on account of the power of digestion, but it was not thought that they were digestion and
possessed of glands
of
absorbents
up the digested
take
to
material like the stomachs of animals.
Attention was
now drawn
to a species
blood and held in the hand for half an
of plants, the leaves of
hour, the leaf lost
contained a fluid in their hollow interior,
albumen
all irritability for
in twenty-four hours. leaves were
trarv to this the
ceptible to Quinia
wrapped
the
Con-
now
sus
which always
To
the so-called Pitcher pla)i/s.
wonderful
swamp
these
plants, belonging to
tissue
the sj)ecies Neinntlies, Sarracenia and
one cannot think of any other explanation than that of nerve irritability, which is transmitted and calls the muscular ap-
Dardngtonia (see illustration in last number), many jioetical allusions were made, in that they jireserved to the wanderer through the swamps a fresh and invigorating drink, and Darwin noted that the fluid of the Sarracenia
paper.
May
this be as
paratus into activity.
in
it will,
Darwin destroy-
ed the activity of these leaves by means of pricking
them
Heckel,
Montpellier,
of
with
botanists before him, has
the vapors
of
needles,
and
refreshed
thirsty
birds.
One
truly
other
finds that the fluid iu the artistically
shown that
formed pitcher (the contents of which are protected from evaporation and rain by a lid) is full of dead insects, which may be an inducement for insect
like
ether and chloroform
obtunded the sensibility of these plants in the same manner as in the smaller and larger animals. Naturally we can-
eating birds to avail themselves of these
The
and
not claim a nervous centre like in higher
opportunities.
animals, but must be content by at-
the honey-like exudation at the entrance
tributing the actions to reflex nervous'
of these pitchers (those of the California
actions,
who
beheaded frog, withdraw his leg on being
like that of a
will
The
irritated.
same
botanist,
Nuttall,
newly plucked leaves, the same as in those remaining on the plant, but to a less degree, and the excitabilit}' soon subsidBennett states as a settled fact ing. that the exudation is augmented as soon as an insect is caught, similar to the noticed
the
motions
in
brilliant colors
resembling an open reptile's mouth) coax the insects to enter, where they drown in large numbers, Wm. Batrani, in 1791, assumed that the
species
fluid contained in
leaves of one
the j^itcher-shaped
(North American
ladies'
saddle flower) to possess properties of digestion,
and in 1829 Bennett confirmed
these assumptions,while Dr. Mellichamp, of S'^uth Carolina,
proved
it
to be so
THE AQUARIUM,
74
He
without doubt. as
having a styptic
describes this fluid
being poison-
taste,
ous, or at least liaving a narcotic influ-
Insects that have fall
ence on insects.
en into this fluid lose the power of motion in half a minute, but will recover if soon removed from its influence. The process of digestion, he claims, is
nothing more than a form of decom-
The
position. varieties
of
juices
many
the
of
pitcher jilants found in
OCTOBEIi,
1893.
caught and held from 18 to 20 hours before it was again let fall. This high degree of sensibility was only noticed in At a low a very warm atmosphere. temperature several of the leaves reclosed, and this also occurred when the plant was removed from the
mained
Since this Prof. Cohn, of Bres-
water. lau,
has discovered in a plant found in
the ditches of ilar
meadows in Germany sim-
phenomena.
or Bladderwort
albumen, raw meat, cartilage, etc., was really wonderful. The pieces were fully dissolved in from two to three days and that more readily in the pitcher shaped leaf, than when the fluid was put in a therefore, Dr. Hooker, glass vessel. comes to the conclusion that the glands on the interior of the leaf secretes a
in several species in
erties
digesting
of
boiled
(
Helm
This plant, the
greenhouses have been examined by Dr. Hooker, and he found that their prop-
rfricularia vuhjaris),
(which, by the way,
is
very abundant
many
parts of the
characteristic trait of preying, seems to
United States), possessed small bladders or dilatations on the thread-like leaves under the water. The bladders have valve-like openings, which can only be opened from the outside, giving easy entrance to small animals, but j)reventThese bladders, when ing all escape. opened, are filled with the skeletons of water fleas, worms, smallest >jf crabs and waterbugs, the softer parts of which having been absorbed by the plant. We can
be limited to the small family of sun-
obtain a very excellent description of
dew
these plants of prey in a book,
fluid containing a substance similar to
This
pepsin of the animal stomach.
plants, to
which
class
Venus'
fly-
The head gardener, lin,
f i-om
masterly pen of Emii Schmidt.
trap belongs.
B. Stein, of Ber-
noticed a plant in the South of Eu-
conclusion,
we would draw the
the
In atten-
tion of the readers to the pleasure that
rope with the same characteristics. This
can be derived from the observation of
plant was introduced from India about
the chase and waylaying of these plants.
the same time as the Drosera. it
received
is
Aldrovanda
The name vesiculosa.
this plant
growing
in
any
plants
He
from the swamp with considerable of
in ditches in
the earth or moss adhering to the roots,
(See illustration in last number.)
found
They may be found in swamps climate. Taking these
warm
great masses, not far distant from Ry-
and planting them in a pot containing
brink,
and convinced himself that every closed leaf contained an insect. This 2)lant showed that in water of a tempera-
the same sort of
ture of (30째 C.) 86째 Fahrenheit, to be the
some time. We have amused ourselves for weeks with these plants, which always showed the dewlike exudation and retain their sensibility. We can find no finer ornament
most sensitive of the whole family, because he only had to touch the leaf with a wire to
make
it
close itself along the
central rib most energetically.
thrown on
tlie
A
pin
surface of the leaf was
soil,
they
may
very
readily be kept for
for
our
What
Terraria than this sun-dew.
pleasure
it
is,
after
feeding the
Gold-fish in the morning, to also present
'
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, this plant with a small
and
see
it
relish
it.
meat
of
^^iece
Proof against the
1893.
What
himself again." for
the water and
its
weeds do
the
occupants, the
prayers of the fanatics on fasting, we
land vegetation does for the air
take our seat at the table, and think
animals
and
that a fine roasted duck
poison
while vegetation absorbs the
is not harmful on Friday, because the flowers themselves do not refuse a small beef steak.
WEEDS AND WATER FOWLS
IN
RELATION TO WATER. It is pleasant, if only for the sake of
good word pond, so writes a gentleman of our acquaintance, runs a stream of 25 gallons per minute of
variety, to be able to say a for
weeds.
Into
my
pure water, from a drain which
I
cut
12 feet deep, some 30 odd years ago.
Weeds
will
thrive
and grow
pond, and we have annually to rake
which
hold purposes.
one day, "
is
:
man,
creatures
and reconverts them wholesome food and fuel for man and beast, filling the atmosphere with that precious oxygen without which man and animals and other living creatures could no longer exist. So it is in the vast ocean, whose living occupants and vegetation probably exceed in quantity that which is on land. We owe to the river vegetation much injurious gases, into
of the purity of water.
It is
the excess
from our towns which are powers of appropriation.
of impurities
beyond
its
They
AUTOINTOXICATION IN GOLDFISH.
look very beautiful as they grow in the pellucid water,
living
this
in
out large quantities of tiiem.
it,
other
used for house-
Said a visitor to
me
Since last winter we received nearly a hundred inquiries from
all
parts of
you had a pair of swans your pond would be free of weeds ;" so a kind friend presented me with a pair
the country regarding a disease which
and very soon they cleared the pond,
case
picking the weeds up by the roots and My family were defeeding on them.
sufficient interest
If
with the graceful swans and
lighted
many choice The symptoms were in each We deem it of described alike.
caused the death of a great goldfish.
to our readers to de-
some space in these columns to its cause which, we hope, may tend to prevote
the removal of weedy obstructions to
vent this fatal disease, as
its
cure seems
but although the pond was free of weeds, the water was no longer pure and pellucid, but most decidedly
as yet out of the question,
'I'he fol-
boating
muddy
;
in taste,
and when the steam
issued from the kettle, the smell of the
mud was unmistakable. Well, no one thought it could be the swans but at last I came to that conclusion, and despite family and other remonstrances, ;
returned them to their original owner. After a short period the weeds reappeared, and as they increased in bulk,
the water gradually assumed cidity
and purity, and
*â&#x20AC;˘'
its
pellu-
Richard was
lowing typical letter sent us recently by one of our patrons describes the disease very clearly, and it will be recognized by many of us at once as the " forlorn hope."
The lady
writes as follows
:
â&#x20AC;˘'Taking advantage of past kindness, 1 write to ask for information regarding a disA white ease prevalent among my goldfish. scum or mould appears on the tail, most frequently, but sometimes on the tins. It eats toward the body until the tail is destroyed, and the fish then dies. I can stay the disease, I find, by salt-bath, and carefully removing the mould, but the fish finally dies. It has
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
76
proved very fatal to mine. Often I do not have a case for some weeks, and then it will again appear. Can you explain the cause or give any remedy for the evil ? I keep my fish out of doors, some in cypress tank, others in a fifteen hundred gallon cement pond. My fish have been changed about and mixed so I cannot say that my trouble originated in any particular receptacle. All my water plants are in fine growing condition, and that I have always been told was a proof of healthy surroundings."
The cause
of
this
disease
is
self-
1893.
their excitement
is
the oxygen
that
in
when
increased; but
can becomes ex-
hausted then they are nearly scared to death they struggle then for dear life, ;
try to leap out of their horrible prison,
but are prevented by the closed
lid of
the can.
must seem an earthquake, the lifted in the wagon. On their the depot or to the store the jolted about in a more or less
With
to the
a jolt, that
fish
little
poisoning (Autointoxication), brought
way.
about by over-fatigue and scare. We have frequently had it among goldfish, especially among imported stock or such
aerating the water, puts a
This, while
much
it
can
is
way
to
can
is
rough
has the benefit of
new
exhausted
tax on
that
they have to use what little strength they may have left, to swim in the swinging
dealers.
water, against a current of water as
was bought from inexperienced Stock of our own breeding or that which has been raised and shi23j)ed to us by careful breeders has never been affected by it. This seems to be proof that the germs of this disease are laid while the fish are cooped up in large numbers in an insufficient quantity of water while on the road, and by rough handling of the cans containing them, all of which causes a severe shock to their nervous system. Let us see what these little creatures, that are intended to become our pets, are expected to stand from ignorant or heartless people.
Goldfish are raised in quiet, sunny
ponds,
They
generally
pleasantly
are seldom scared,
located.
and when they
are, the scare is not very severe,
because
know they can find shelter in deeper water or among aquatic plants they
if
need be. Neither are such occasional
scares of long
enough duration
serious effects.
when They
The
to
removed from their ponds. then unavoidably more or less
fish are
are
out; and too
when caged-up
many
others
in
of
fish
;
it
were.
In a perfectly exhausted condition such
fish
arrive
at
the
Here
store.
they are, in most cases, liberated in a very rude fashion.
"slammed" tied
The
by simply
being
can,
out of the wagon,
"dumping"
is
emp-
its
con-
tents, helter-skelter into a tank. If
such a journey requires bnt one or
two hours, the fish will recover from the shock if afterward under proper care (See particulars under " Transportation " in The Gold Fish and its Culture), but when such fish are again put under similar tortures, to last for days or weeks without their accustomed nourishment and without rest to recuperate their strength, their system
completely disarranged,
their
and muscles are inflamed, the culation of the blood
is
is
nerves free cir-
hindered, and
the fish begins to decompose, although still alive.
It
is
a well
known
fact that wild
dark cans
animals can be chased to death by dogs. Even if they are not caught and killed outright, they often die sooner or later
their kind.
thereafter of the effects of the great
scared by the process of fishing witli
have
trouble begins
first
the already
them
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, which their nervous system experienced. Excited animals consume oxygen faster than it can be supscare or shock
plied; the consequence
animal which
the fatigued
self-poisoning "
is
called
(Autointoxication).
This is what causes the " haut-goAt " in game, so much admired by gourmands, which really is nothing less than the beginning of decomposition in the liv-
much
traveling
long
cans
aerated
in
insufficiently
distances, are
stag in a chase
and scared by hounds.
individuals
first
fatigued die
of
as
as
a
is
Weaker
suffocation
;
the stronger ones linger longer, their
become
gills
finally die of
and
inflamed,
these
consumption, while others
have their interior structures ranged by innumerable minute
No
visible sign
indicates
slow, appearing very
which j)roduce sweeter or more truly more satisfaction than the Freesias. Nor are there any of the winter-forcing bulbs that are more easily grown, and in consequence
beautiful flowers or give
this terrible
tired.
one continues to cultivate them
ties
year after year having once
made
their
acquaintance.
The stems branch
producing which make up very gracefully in bouquets and freely,
several clusters of flowers,
other
floral
work, their beautiful forms,
colorings and delicious per-
exquisite
for these purposes, as well as for win-
At
last,
dow garden
decoration.
Another ad-
mirable point in their favor
keeping
for
quality,
suitable
is
their
when cut and
placed in vases of water they will keep perfect for two weeks, the buds open-
ing as well as
One
they appear as a white mould
when death soon
relieves the
poor sufferer. Fish that are intended for pleasure or science should be handled gently and carefully at all
times.
And
agree that only healthy
have no
fear, are
fit
objects
The Aquaeium
kept on the plant.
this
"The
beautiful
truly
flower, says
Freesia seems to have been
hair, at her throat or breast, or in the
button-hole of the ruder
human
being.
trumpet-shaped,
or
eight florets,
fish,
that
one
to
two inches long, appear
for
our
does not reach
you will oblige the publisher by informing him of the fact, and a duplicate copy will be mailed to you at once.
:
de-,
signed by nature for wear in a lady's
Six
others.
in proper time,
of
if
author, in writing of the merits
we
since
hobby, dealers should see their interest in supplying their customers with no
If
the
before
unite in one or more
structure,
you
place
yearly
florists
flower-growing public, there are none
fume rendering them highly
at the base of the fins, destroying their
all
ing
sores.
body, generally along the back of the fish, or
win-
of
ones and open outside of the
little sores
larger
list
disar-
condition, except that the victim moves
these
In the ever-lengthening
of these combinations of desirable quali-
ing animal. Goldfish
FREESIAS.
ter-flowering bulbs which the enterpris-
that a chemi-
process takes place in the blood of
cal
'^
is
77
1893.
close
together at the end of the stem, but instead of being clustered they
grow
in
a row. The stem bends at a right angle just where the first floret appears, so no matter how carelessly the stem is
thrust into coiffure, dress or buttonhole,
it
hangs
makes the its
bloom.
as if
on a hook, and
greatest possible display of
Two
or three sprays of the
Freesia worn at a party or theatre will
.
—
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
78
give occasional relief from close air, and a little cluster of it in water will retain
bloom and fragrance for a fortnight, the unopened buds all coming into bloom as the older flowers decay and fall."
A
moderately good, light, sandy
soil,
the same as used for other bulbs, with good drainage and plenty of sunlight,
meets
its
requirements, and after the
bulbs are potted
is
it
not necessary to
them away in the dark to form roots, as they commence growing right If away and begin flowering early. planted at intervals from September to November they will give a succession of bloom during the Avinter months.
U.
flowers
various
of
from
colors,
fine
white to deep orange, shaded, blotched, straw-color, etc., and are very large. Mayfloioer.
WATER The
LILIES.
beautiful fiower beds of Lincoln
Out
aeas.
The lower
Jet.
overhanging the edges of the bowl like The mass of Lycopoclium. effect was very beautiful and novel.
a great
The
basin in
early
morn-
surrounded these ponds. the
known
We
noticed
and
nearly
all
ties in
the collection and nearly
species
varie-
front of
tained besides other choice aquatics the
most
many
W^e saw a great tains
and
lily
ponds
with
the
curious
In order of
The Aquarium, we
will
you, free hy mail, one imported Dutch single Hyacinth bulb-, choice of color left to you.
Shipment of Fish, Eggs, etc., from N. Y. State Hatchery.
Lake Trout Fry
2,715,000 805,000 .. ..1.815,000
.
Brook
Matured Bass Frv.
California "
Pike Bullheads
..
•
"
145,(Kio
2(),7o0
8,370,000
750
eggs, etc.,
fish,
:
Whitefish Fry. .18.850,000 " ... 4,355.000 Ciscoes Muscalonge'- .. 2,150,000 .
Lake Trout Eg^s " Brown '• Brook Shrimp
Total production of fry, eggs, etc
Monroe
500.
Wm.
H. Bowman, Commissioner
under
the Caledonia (N. Y.)
Hatchery for the year 1893
upon with great admiration. While in Washington this summer we saw the Parrot's feather(Myriophyllbasin in front of the
fol-
to
tray-like leaves of the plant, were looked
The
the
lowing offer: For every name and address you send to us of a person interested in aquarium, window gardening or natural history, who is not already a
"
proserpinacoides) very advantage-
the circulation
to increase
The Aquarium, we make
••
ously used.
summer and
^ HYACINTH BULBS WITHOUT MONEY.
Brown
um
beautiful foun-
this
issue.
Total shipment of
bloom,
new
shall return to this subject in our next
m}' supervision, from
in
largest
All the
varieties were represented.
of
Regias
and
colored
brilliantly
nymphaeas we ever saw.
them were in bloom when we saw them. As could be expected the two Victoria
all
AVhite
the
House, also that in the grounds, con-
send
From
of these contained the
Parrot feather, growing luxuriantly and
subscriber of
ing until night the World's Fair visitors
nymph-
two smaller ones, bowl shaped, in which the water falls after leaving the
attention from the ponds
the aquatic plants.
planted with
of the center of this large
Park, Chicago, could not detract the
containing
is
basin, rise, arranged above each other,
cheap
so
that every one can afford to pot up a good supply of them. The Giant Bermuda Freesias, introduced last year, form a magnificent strain of mixed hybrids, producing
Treasury building
various rich colored varieties of
set
Fortunately, the bulbs are
S.
1893.
,
1,030,050 2,50,000
150,000 1,500,000
41,563,-
A. Green, Superintendent.
in charge.
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER, DAFFODILS GROWN IN WATER. When
planting your bulbs for the
window garden to plant
this fall, don't
forget
some Daffodil Bulbs (Narcissus
trumpet major) in a dish filled with pebbles and water. Treat the same as
H.MULERTl.
1893.
79
you would Chinese sacred
lilies,
ing them to light at once.
bloom
excellently
this
planted at intervals of
way, a
Snail
will if
weeks they may be had in bloom from Christmas until Spring.
Fish, male (Macropodus Venustus.)
Ramshoru
and
couple of
.
The Paradise
expos-
They
aud Hydra.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sagittaria
nataus "
All l^atural Size.
New
Era,
THE AQUARIUM, OCTOBER,
80
THE FISHERIES BUILDING.
IN
When
a
man who
is
interested in fish
nets comes along he asks a good
many
but the ladies only say, "Oh, Are you in how lovely this netting is long is How exhibit ? charge of this questions
;
netting
much
is it
?
How
a yard
'i
wide
is it ?
How
He sells it by the Do yon have all
pound, how funny. Could I get some by sending colors ? Which kind do you think for it ? would look best in a pink room ? How much would that kind be ? and this
and that over there ? I notice that which is hung away up there out kind
?
of reach has a different tint
gauzy and
delicate.
Oh my,
;
it
so
is
he says
it's
Well, give me dust that makes that. I'm going to send for some fish netting as soon as I get
your card, please.
home
—a
lot
curtain.
questions.
of
— enough
it
for a large
Thanks for answering my Good ^m.''— Fishing Ga-
production of
stimulate the
food for the young hot
the
against
fish,
natural
but protect
During
sun.
it
cool
nights the jar should be in a sheltered position.
When
!
fish
1893.
the young are about three or
four weeks old, you can begin to feed
them on powdered
I.
-food
X. L.
fish -food,
prepared
fish
powdered,
and small mosquito
(wafers),
The feeding should
also larvae.
be frequent, say
four to six times a day, but each time very small portions should be given. A temperature of 60 to 90° F. is right for
young
fish,
all
provided that they
have a sufficient quantity of water and access to shade, but 70 to 80° F.
is
best
you find that you feed too much, you should remove the surplus by means of a dipping tube, at
for them.
If
We
once in three days.
least
don't
agree with you in thinking that you are
over anxious about your
numbers
fish
;
we have who
patrons of your sex
of
much
interest in their aquarium do in their garden or greenhouse, and we are pleased to acknowledge that not a few of them are very
zette.
take as
as they
Queries.
successful fish culturists.
Miss
B — Use .
nothing
else
but table
and water to clean the glass of your It will remove any growth aquarium. or sediment from the glass without salt
We
cheerfully
answer
at
once,
all
made in regard to Aquariums Window Gardening if return postage
queries
or is
scratching
enclosed.
Miss A. fish
—
The Ch.
swim about
After the young goldin the water,
which
is
generally about three days after they
were hatched, they should be separated and only ten or a dozen of them allowed in a vessel, containing about two gallons of water, with aquatic plants, at the bottom.
and sand
Place such a nursery-
jar in a very light position in order to
it.
Sagittaria Francis
described in our last
M. which we
number
is
still
bloom in our aquarium. To-day, September 9th, it has its ninth flower
in
spike.
-^ ^Yitll this
scription. to be
number
legins a
new sub-
Those 'who Icnow themselves
in arrears are kindly requested
remit.
to
I,
-New
Aquarmm,
Self-Sustaining
•^>L
"""^^ ^^a ^icJ^"^'' CATALOGUE FREE.
^t^-
Ghoice Bulh g Dutch
P
for' Roman
and
f lanling.
all
Hyacinths,
Tulips,
and
Freesia
CHINESE SACRED LILY OUR OWN IMPORTATION AQ7ASIUU FLAITTS
AITS
SEEDS,
NEW
Narcissus,
Crocus,
Lilies.
{Chin. A^ardss2is.)
at very
low
rates.
OBiTAUSITTAL FISE.
CBOF.
SEND FOR PRICES.
HUGO MULERTT, BROOKLYN,
173 Nostrand Avenue,
N. Y,
The kericaD Magazine of
Nataral ScieDce.
It is a Magazine for Naturalists, in every sense of the word.
THEY ALL SAY
IT'S
THE
BEST.
Subscription Price, only S5 cents per year.
Monthly. ,_ _ 2l7
'
Fish AND OVSTfcRCULTURfe.
•.
t_
DRPAOW;\y pR^eSH •
NEW
(\no SftLT
YORK.
The only publication
In
Several features are being intro__^
as
America exclusively devoted to everything pertainmg A valuable medium for the advertiser. Try it I
to FISH and FISHING.
Sabscriptloni price $l.SO per year, post paid. 8EIIB FBR
SAMME
COPY.
Q. E.
JENNINGS^
make this magazine good and better than many of the Sample higher priced magazines. copy sent for stamp. Circulation, duced, which
W(\TtR AM6UPl<i.BeATI(iir®«*i
(Established 1884.)
PUBLISHER.
3,500 monthly.
;BED B. STEABITS & CO., Fulslishers, Sac City, la., and Des Moines,
la.
.
J
W. F
.
KE
S
I
,
MANUFACTUKER OF
K QUH R 39 and 41
I
H
PARK PLACE, NEW YORK.
AQUARIA STOCK ALW^AYS ON HAND, Gold, Pearl, Silver, Sun,
and Rock Fish, Turtles, etc.,
IN
THEIR SEASON.
Japanese Gold Fish ALSO
Aquaria Plants,
all varieties.
Full line of Grottoes,
Arches, Rocks,
etc., car-
ried in stock.
Also Manufacturer of Fountains, Drinking Fountains, Settees, Chairs,
Lamp Posts, Railings, etc. GRATIS UPON APPLICATION. FURNISHED CATALOGUE
SIFTED BIRD SEED.
MCALLISTER'S
YOU WANT BIRD SEED FREED FROM
IF
DIRT,
GRAVEL
and
SUPERIOR PREPARED
MOTES,
FOOD MOCKIHG-BIRD —
ASK YOUR GROCER OR DRUGGIST FOR
MCALLISTER'S,
.4.
f
— FOR
carefully selected best quality of canary, Glerman rape, and imported millet seeds, and is put up fresh in one-pound boxes.
This seed
is
Mocking-birds, Thrushes, Blackhirds, Robins, Nightingales, Skylarks,
Birds which can sing and won't sing, are made to sing with
SlieDpaid's Song RBstorer, OR A TREAT. A.lao
RND nUU
+
SOPT-BIUL. BIROS.
+
This preparation is the purest, healthiest, and cheapest bird food known, its ingredients approximating closely to the food of birds in their natural state and its use in all cases causes a marked improvement in their song and appearance.
an Invigorating Tonic for Canary Birds, and all Seed Birds.
;
Ooldfinches, liinnets
every case restore to their This natural notes birds who have lost their song from moulting:. For breedexcessive or the effects of cold ing Birds and their young, and old Birds it is invaluaand improving their voice their strengthening ble, plumage. A-lso valuable for Taming Birds, preparation will in
SHEPPARD'S GENUINE PREPARED FISH FOOD.
A
perfectly pure article,— specially prepared for feeding Gold Fish, etc. kept in aquaria or globes. ,
FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS AND AT ALL BIRD STORES.
Hv^oJLLXjISTEK/, FLO"WER AND GARDEN SEED, ETC., in. £3.
DEALER
32
BET
STItSET,
-
IN
-
•
NE'W 70BK.