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THE 
 
 AMERICAN PARLOR AQUARIUM, 
 
 OR 
 
 BEING A FAMILIAR TREATISE ON THE FRESH WATER AQUARIUM ; 
 THE BEST MODE OF CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT ; 
 INCLUDING A BRIEF SKETCH OF ALL THE FRESH WATER FISHES 
 AND AQUATIC PLANTS ADAPTED TO THE SAME, FOUND IN THE 
 UNITED STATES. 
 
 BY 
 
 J. H. COLLIER AND J. HOOPER. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 JOHN H. COLLIER, Publisher, 78 Fulton Street. 
 
 1866. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by 
 J. H. COLLIER, 
 
 In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern 
 District of New York. 
 
 P. EoKLER, Printer, 40 Fulton Street, N. Y. Lovejoy & Son, Electrotypers, and Stereotypers, 
 
 15 Vandewater Street, N. Y. 
 
590.1 
 
 C4 V 
 
 P E E F A C E. 
 
 2 ~~~ 
 
 O 
 
 3 
 
 £ The want of a familiar treatise on the Parlor Aquarium, 
 adapted to this country, has long been felt by all who have 
 interested themselves in any way in this comparatively new 
 science. Several English works are extant, but their local 
 character does not suit our wants. In fact the American 
 Aquarist is without a <text boob or guide, if we except the 
 woik of Mr. Henry D. Butler, which however is almost 
 exclusively devoted to the Marine Aquarium. The limited 
 knowledge of our Fluvial Fishes and Plants, amongst all 
 classes, and the evident want of a simple guide or text book, 
 by those who feel any interest in the subject, are reasons 
 which the author deems sufficient in offering'this little book 
 to the public. 
 
 The author has endeavored to simplify his style as much as 
 possible, so as to render the work readable to those unac- 
 quainted with the technical terms of science. As however a 
 few of those terms had necessarily to be used, to convey the 
 required meaning, a brief glossary of the same is appended 
 at Jhe end of the work. 
 
 JOHN H. COLLIER. 
 

 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 “ Oh Nature ! all sufficient ! over all ! 
 
 Enrich me with a knowledge of thy works !” 
 
 Tiie study of any of Nature’s works is one of the most 
 ennobling pursuits that can engage the attention of mankind. 
 It carries with it a sublimity of thought far higher than that 
 derived from any other source ; its effects are seen in the 
 poet’s pen, the painter’s pencil, and the sculptor’s chisel, and 
 tends to elevate the soul of man from the grovelling pursuits 
 of every day life, to that higher power, whose wisdom, good- 
 ness and divine works are seen on every hand, from the tiny 
 dew-drop to the mighty cataract, and from the smallest thing 
 that creeps upon the earth, to the noble lion that roams the 
 desert wilds feared by all. 
 
 The study of Aquatic Natural History had been neglected 
 more than any other, especially prior to the introduction 
 of the Aquarium. The Botanical part is surrounded with 
 difficulties in the procurement of specimens, and less is conse- 
 quently known of it than any other branch of Botany. All 
 the species being more or less submerged, they are collected 
 with difficulty, and but very few have as yet been popularized 
 to the Aquarium ; one of my main objects is to point out and 
 clearly describe all our native Aquatic Plants, suitable to the 
 fluvial tank. 
 
 A* 
 
VI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Our Ichthyology, or history of fishes, is as yet in its 
 infancy, no popular work has yet appeared, descriptive of 
 them, so that we have groped our way as it were in the 
 dark. Few species only are generally known, the few famil- 
 iar ones being confined to those varieties whose capture is a 
 sport, or a remunerative employment. 
 
 But the Aquarium opened a path to a field of science 
 hitherto trod by few of “Nature’s votaries;” it enkindled 
 within the minds of many a desire to become better acquainted 
 with the “life that moves beneath the waters.” The gems 
 of Nature’s handiwork enshrined beneath the sparkling wave, 
 and hidden deep in its ca^grnous depths were almost wholly 
 unexplored, their beauties, habits and peculiar formation were 
 to us a sealed book. Little dM we dream that at the depth 
 of hundreds of fathoms, the waters teemed with life, that 
 Anemones or Animal Flowers existed there rivalling in bril- 
 liancy of coloring, or delicacy of marking any of Nature’s 
 terrestrial gems. It had always been considered a fact that 
 below a certain depth, animal life ceased to exist ; to contra- 
 vene this we have the testimony of the scientific officers who 
 surveyed the Atlantic plateau for the ocean cable, who conclu- 
 sively established the fact of animal and vegetable life existing 
 at even the greatest depths. Our friend Capt. J. H. Mortimer 
 of Savannah, an enthusiast in marine mollusca, has dredged 
 many 'curiosities to science some of which were from the 
 greatest depths he was enabled to fathom. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Discovery and History of the Science — Its first establishment in 
 London — Its progress and ultimate introduction in the United 
 States 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Principle of the Aquarium — Natural laws governing the same. 
 Artificial aeration a success 14 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The construction of the Aquarium Tank — The materials best suited 
 for it — Proportions of a tank, and best shape for the same. 18 
 
 CHAPTER IY. 
 
 The best location for an Aquarium — Effects of light and heat — The 
 only perfect plan— Effects of light upon fish. . . .21 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 Arrangement of the Aquarium — Rockwork, how arranged — Instruc- 
 tions as to its proper arrangement — Effect produced upon fish by 
 long confinement without food — Food a necessity for their preser- 
 vation and health— Diseases incidental to fish. . . .25 
 
viii 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Specific descriptions of the various species applicable to the 
 
 Aquarium 31 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Amphibians suited to the Aquarium. . . . .99 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Fluvial Shells and Insects adapted to the Tank — What Insects 
 
 to avoid. Ill 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Vegetation of the Aquarium — The plants best adapted to 
 the same 116 
 
 Glossary of Technical Terms used 136 
 
 General Index 139 
 
 List of Illustrations 
 
 . 144 
 
FLUVIAL OR FRESH WATER AQUARIUM. 
 
 
 CHAPTER 1 
 
 DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY OF THE SCIENCE. 
 
 Discovery and History of the Science— Its first establishment in London— Its pro- 
 gress and ultimate introduction in the United States. 
 
 First, we must define our title. In this country it is known 
 as the Aquaria when in the plural number, and Aquarium in 
 the singular. Throughout Great Britain and the continent 
 of Europe it is called the Aqua-Vivarium : this name is cor- 
 rect for the following reasons. Amongst the ancient Romans 
 an Aquarium was simply a reservoir or large vessel for holding 
 water, without regard to the uses to which that water was 
 applied. A collection of living animals or reptiles was called 
 a Vivarium; in the earlier period of the discovery of our 
 science, a name was required for it, and it was deemed essen- \ 
 tial to have one that would convey and embrace within itself 
 a truthful meaning of the subject ; and the term Aqua- Vivarium 
 was adopted, the first, Aqua, signifying water, and the latter, 
 Vivarium , animal fife. Now as our name Aquarium means 
 
10 
 
 DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY 
 
 simply a vessel for holding water, regardless of the uses to 
 which that water may be applied, it is conclusively proven 
 that the English name is the best and only correct one. But 
 as the term Aquarium has been so generally adopted in this 
 country, it will be used in this work. 
 
 Undoubtedly the marine or salt water Aquarium presents 
 to us a far greater variety of character, and a more diverse and 
 extensive field of research, furnishing an infinite collection 
 of animal and vegetable life, far greater than the fluvial or fresh 
 water. In fluvial waters we lack altogether those grotesque 
 forms so often found in sea water ; such as the Hippocampus 
 or Sea Horse, the Holothuria or Sea Cucumber, the Asterias 
 or Star Fish, the Syngnathus or Pipe Fish, the Serpulas , 
 Actinias , and hundreds of others, possessing some remarkable 
 structure and endless diversity of character. So also with the 
 Marine plants or Algce ; they likewise excel the fluvial ones 
 or diversity of structure, and far exceed them in numbers, 
 fembracing plants of every hue. But attractive as the marine 
 Aquarium deservedly is, there exists a barrier to its popularity 
 which cannot easily be removed, and debars its general use ; 
 I allude to the difficulties experienced in procuring pure sea 
 water. Space forbids me to dwell upon the subject, as my 
 province is to confine myself to the fluvial or fresh water 
 Aquarium. 
 
 The principle of the Aquarium was slightly indicated by 
 Priestly in the latter part of the last century. It remained in 
 obscurity until 1778-9 when Ingenhaus more closely ap- 
 proached it, by giving publicity to the fact, that plants 
 immersed in water when exposed to the action of light emit 
 oxygen. In 1833 Daubeney slightly noticed it. Ward in 
 1837 made demonstrations of its practicability with distinct- 
 
OF THE SCIENCE. 
 
 11 
 
 ness; but Dr. Lankaster in 1841 established the first true 
 Aquarium, by keeping Sticklebacks in a glass vessel, without 
 a change of water, the same being oxygenated by means of 
 the Valisneria spiralis. Warrington in 1850 elucidated it 
 clearly and was the first to make it publicly known. Before 
 the Royal Chemical Society of London he demonstrated the 
 experiments made, and the principle established thereby : 
 that the functions of plants assigned to them for the conversion 
 of carbonic acid gas into oxygen, and the consequent neces- 
 sity of their jfresence for the preservation of animal life, 
 which would otherwise be poisoned by its own secretions, 
 because of the quantity of carbonic acid thrown off. About 
 this time an open air tank was established by accident in the Gar- 
 dens of the Hampton Court Palace, London ; which was after- 
 wards described by Mr. Jesse, and at the time attracted consider- 
 able interest amongst men of science. In 1852 the first practical 
 exemplification of the science was opened to the public in the 
 Gardens of the Royal Zoological Society, Regents Park, 
 London. And to such an extent has the Aquarium been 
 popularized there, that one firm alone in London employs a 
 large steam factory for the manufacture of tanks, and fourteen 
 experienced men are exclusively engaged in collecting marine 
 curiosities for the same, whilst numbers of others collect for 
 the fluvial department. Large quantities of pure sea water 
 is constantly kept on hand, which is regularly sold like milk 
 by the quart or gallon. In this immense establishment can 
 be purchased at almost any time any of the marine or fluvial 
 objects suitable to the Aquarium. To show how far we are 
 behind in this science, I would state, that at the present time 
 there is not an establishment in New York, or even in the 
 United States, where any of the marine objects suited to a 
 salt water Aquarium can be procured. 
 
12 
 
 DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY 
 
 In 1842 Dr. Johnson whilst experimenting with a view to 
 ascertain the true vegetable nature of corallines , dicovered the 
 fact, that Marine Alqce cause sea- water to remain pure, for an 
 unlimited period, — as long as they are in a growing condition. 
 This was the year following Dr. Lankaster’s similar discovery 
 in regard to fresh water; so that Dr. Johnson is entitled to 
 the discovery of the principle of the Marine Aquarium, as 
 Lankaster is of the Fluvial. 
 
 The first introduction of the Aquaria to the American 
 public, was at the American Museum, New York. In 1856, 
 fifteen years after the principle of the Aquarium was proven 
 by Dr. Lankaster, and four years after the opening of the 
 Regents Park Aquaria, Mr, P. T. Barnum introduced it to 
 the American public. This well known and enterprising 
 showman, always anxious to secure and introduce to the 
 public every novelty money can procure, started to England, 
 and with the aid of Mr. David Mitchell, at that time Secretary 
 of the Royal Zoological Society of London, introduced this 
 new and attractive feature of Natural History to the American 
 public. And although he is deserving of praise for his exer- 
 tions in so doing, it was not from any love of science, but 
 simply to add a new feature to his popular place of amusement. 
 Some months after this Messrs. Butler and Cutting established 
 the Aquarial Gardens in Boston ; it finally passed into 
 Mr. Barnum’ s hands and was eventually discontinued. 
 
 Soon after various styles of parlor Aquariums were manu- 
 factured and sold in New York and Philadelphia and their 
 popularity has steadily increased. Undoubtedly they would 
 become much more popular if experienced men in the science 
 were engaged in their manufacture and sale, for few of them 
 know anything at all of the subject, or are acquainted in the 
 
OF THE SCIENCE. 
 
 13 
 
 least manner with the habits of our fish, or the peculiarities 
 of our Aquatic plants, their knowledge being confined to the 
 buying of Gold-fish by the hundred, and retailing them to 
 their customers. 
 
 It is in the field this knowledge only can be obtained ; 
 on the banks of the laughing brook, on the bosom of the 
 placid lake, and in the almost impenetrable swamp ; it is there, 
 studying nature’s book, that w^e can gain a knowledge of the 
 objects fitted for our miniature pond. There is another know- 
 ledge acquired, that which cannot be transmitted one to the 
 other, the same mental power that guides the artizan in his 
 mechanical skill, which experience alone can acquire. 
 
 “ Remote from busy life’s bewildered way, 
 
 O’er all his heart shall taste and beauty sway ; 
 
 Free on the sunny slope, or winding shore 
 
 With hermit steps to wander and adore .”— (Pleasures of Hope.) 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE PRINCIPLE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 The Principle of the Aquarium— Natural laws governing the same — Artificial 
 aeration a success. 
 
 Many persons think that a mere tank designed for the use 
 of fish, etc., is an Aquarium ; this is a popular error in this 
 country. A tank manufactured for such a purpose, no matter 
 what the material may be that is used in its construction, 
 correctly speaking, is not an Aquarium, but an Aquarium tank. 
 An Aquarium consisting of the tank and its contents. The 
 true and perfect Aquarium should be self sustaining. The 
 plants contained therein sufficiently numerous to liberate or 
 throw off enough oxygen to furnish the living animals with 
 life sustaining power, the fish and other animal life sufficient 
 to consume that oxygen and repay the plants with enough 
 carbon to sustain them. For this is the fundamental principle 
 of nature both of animal and vegetable life ; the animal portion 
 being sustained by the oxygen generated by vegetation, and 
 the vegetable part by the carbon exhaled by the animal. 
 Consequently if too much animal life be placed in the tank, 
 the want of sufficient oxygen is soon experienced by the finny 
 inhabitants thereof, causing them to sicken and die ; if too 
 much vegetation exist therein, the water becomes over charged 
 with oxygen, vitiating their systems with its enervating 
 
TIIE PRINCIPLE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 15 
 
 powers, so that the same fatal result necessarily follows. In 
 the Aquarium the nearer we can arrive at an equalization of 
 the two powers^ the nearer we approach perfection. But 
 another point must be considered ; it is not alone necessary 
 that these two life sustaining powers should be equalized, 
 because you may have too much of both, and in this case the 
 health of your animal life is equally jeopardized. You may 
 ask then, how are we to know ? how are we to determine 
 when enough of animal life and y^getation is placed in the 
 tank ? This I answer is altogether a matter of experience. 
 No rule can be adopted as to the quantity of the sanje : 
 different species of fish exhaust more oxygen and supply 
 more carbon, than others ; so, too, with aquatic jfiants, some 
 species liberate more oxygen and take up more carbon than 
 others, and it is only by practical experience and a use of 
 discretion, that enables us to determine the amount of animal 
 and vegetable life sustainable in a given quantity of water. 
 I know some have given advice as to the number of fish that 
 could be sustained in a given quantity of water in a still 
 tank, but it is of no value, for the reasons above given; 
 besides which, the varied sizes of fish preclude any such rule. 
 As a general circumstance persons crowd too much in their 
 tanks, it is much cheaper and better to have a few fish in the 
 Aquarium in good health, than to over crowd it, as is too 
 often 'the case. In regard to the amount of oxygen and 
 carbon, we see the same causes produce like effects even to 
 mankind ; in tropical climes, where vegetation arrives at its 
 greatest luxuriance, the atmosphere is overcharged with 
 oxygen, engendering malarious fevers: the vitality being 
 quicker, the lives of mankind are shorter in the number of 
 years, yet in one sense they live as long, because their tem- 
 peraments are quickened. 
 
16 
 
 THE PRINCIPLE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 The Marine tanks of the American Museum, not being 
 supplied with vegetable life, an excellent substitute has been 
 adopted, which answers the purpose very well ; that is, 
 artificial aeration, — air being forced through the water of the 
 tanks by means of a bellows attached to an aerometer ; this 
 was introduced into this Aquaria by Messrs. Butler and 
 Cutting, the former gentleman being for a lengthened period 
 manager of the same. 
 
 My opinion based on experience in tanks artificially sup- 
 plied with air is, that for a public Aquaria, where a number 
 of tanks are kept, it is an excellent plan, but is not feasible 
 for private purposes, as it is necessary the motive power 
 should be continually in action. I find that fish kept in 
 tanks so supplied, in a short time become acclimated to them, 
 so that they but seldom come to the surface for air, such fish, 
 changed as it were in their nature, soon die if removed from 
 the aerated tank to one not so supplied. The effect of a 
 stream of air passing upwards through the water of the tank 
 is indeed beautiful, forming innumerable globules resembling 
 quicksilver, which are continually and rapidly rising to the 
 surface, these globules, containing the' confined air, being so 
 much lighter than water, causes them quickly to ascend. 
 
 As I remarked in the commencement of this chapter, that 
 it is not generally understood what constitutes an Aquarium, 
 I would say, that many people are in the habit of calling 
 every vessel or tank wherein fish are placed, an Aquarium ; 
 this is not so, as an Aquarium is a tank or vessel, no matter 
 of what material it may be composed, that contains animal and 
 vegetable life self sustaining . 
 
 A good self supporting fluvial tank never requires a change of 
 water ; I have kept one eighteen months with the same water, 
 
THE PRINCIPLE OP TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 17 
 
 the only water added during the time, being a sufficiency to 
 make good the evaporation continually going on, and at all 
 times the water was a hundred per cent, purer, brighter and 
 cleare* than the best filtered water. Water under such cir- 
 cumstances possesses a sparkling appearance, and no water, 
 no matter how hard it may be or how much lime it naturally 
 contains, if placed in an Aquarium fails to become soft as rain 
 water, the plants absorbing the lime of the same. This 
 absence of a requirement of a change of water is the desid- 
 eratum attainable and to be striven for in the management 
 of the Aquarium. It is the constant meddling with the tank, 
 changing the water, the ..position of rocks and plants, the 
 heaping in of bread, crackers, cake, etc., to the fish, why so 
 many, yes ! nearly all, ffiiil in keeping their tanks healthy and 
 clean. If by any cause any of your plants show signs of 
 decay, or any of your fish die, they should be carefully 
 removed as soon as possible, for if allowed to remain, they 
 contaminate the water with noxious gasses, rendering a 
 change of the same absolutely necessary. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 TIIE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUARIUM TANK. 
 
 + 
 
 The Construction of the Aquarium Tank— The materials best suited for it —Propor- 
 tions of a Tank, and the best shape for the same. 
 
 The best material the frame can be constructed of is either 
 stone or slate. Of stone, marble is the handsomest and 
 easiest procured. Slate is however preferable to marble on 
 account of its superior durability, and it is susceptible of the 
 highest polish and finish ; it is usually marbleized for the 
 purpose (as when used for mantles) combining the beauty 
 of marble, with the durability of slate. The slate is partic- 
 ularly preferable, because a tank manufactured of it can either 
 be used for fresh or salt water. Not so however with mar- 
 ble ; the chemical properties of sea water soon destroy the 
 surface, defacing the beauty of the same. With iron tanks 
 the salt water creates* an oxide rendering them unadapted to 
 its use. 
 
 For a fluvial tank, although slate and marble make the 
 handsomest material to be used in their construction, iron 
 frames answer well enough if properly manufactured. W ood 
 is objectionable for two reasons, first, want of durability ; 
 second, liability to leakage ; for few, indeed very few, of the 
 wooden tanks I have seen in use, but were subject to the 
 latter failure, one of the chief causes of the same being its 
 
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUARIUM TANK. 
 
 19 
 
 porous character, wood being so susceptible and so easily 
 effected by the variations of the temperature. 
 
 As a general thing the tanks manufactured for sale in this 
 country are composed of iron, only a comparatively few being 
 of marble or slate. Those manufactured of iron are usually 
 ornamented by japanning. 
 
 In regard to the general proportions of a tank, as a rule 
 the breadth and heigth should be relatively half the length, 
 -these proportions should necessarily be graduated according 
 to the size of the tank. It is usually the fault that tanks for 
 Aquarium purposes are manufactured with too great a depth. 
 It is essential in a good Aquarium tank that the glass should 
 be as clear as possible: for this purpose English, French or 
 German plate is requisite ; greenish glass so commonly used 
 deteriorates the beauty of the same. Another advantage 
 plate glass possesses is its strength. 
 
 THE RECTANGULAR TANK. 
 
 The rectangular shape undoubtedly is the best form to 
 display the beauties of the Aquarium. The octagon or 
 sextagon forms cannot be fitted up to the same advantage, 
 because the lights of glass are necessarily of small propor- 
 tions, the divisions of the tank obscure the view, marring the 
 
20 THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUARIUM TANK? 
 
 picturesque effect. Rectangular tanks having partially solid 
 ends, a small oval glass being inserted in the same, are pre- 
 ferable alike with those having solid ends, to the open or 
 glass end tanks, for reasons that will be assigned in the 
 remarks upon the effects of light. Mr. Lloyd of London, the 
 most extensive manufacturer of tan\s in the world, has 
 patented a tank divided longitudinally into two distinct sec- 
 tions in the interior ; the back section designed as a recepta- 
 cle for new water and disconnected with the front except 
 when its use is required ; although great numbers of these 
 tanks are manufactured and sold, yet in the opinion of emi- 
 nent English Aquarists no real advantage is obtained by this 
 peculiar arrangement. To attempt to enumerate all the 
 styles that have been manufactured and offered to the public 
 for sale, would exceed altogether our limits. I will however 
 notice a new style lately introduced called the vase style, 
 although displaying taste in their manufacture, are very illy 
 adapted for the purpose they are constructed. They are in 
 the form of a vase nearly three times as long as wide, 
 altogether too ‘deep, the ends bulged or expanded into a 
 semi-circle, the top like an oval or elliptical jar, leaving not 
 over two-thirds of the water surface exposed to the air ; this 
 is a fatal error in any tank, as it is positively requisite that all 
 the surface of the water should be unobstructed. It is on 
 this account that open glass jars are preferable to globes, for 
 not only does the water receive more fully the benefit of the 
 air, when its surface is wholly and equally exposed, but 
 another advantage gained in the properly constructed tank is, 
 that the temperature of the water is not elevated above its 
 natural degree, as is the case when the top is partially closed, 
 as in the vase style above referred to. 
 
CHAPTER IV, 
 
 THE LOCATION OF THE AQUARIUM IN REFERENCE TO 
 LIGHT AND IIEAT. 
 
 The best location for an Aquarium— Effects of light and heat— The only perfect 
 plan— Effects of light upon fish. 
 
 One of the most important things to be considered in the 
 proper arrangement of the Aquarium, is its situation in 
 respect to light, and heat. In the first place it should be 
 placed in as cool a location as possible, as far removed from 
 artificial heat as convenience will admit. And even more 
 important is the subject of light^this being the grand main- 
 spring of life to both the animal and vegetable world; without 
 its natural influence, animal life would become blind and 
 vegetation cease to germinate. In view of its importance 
 we should endeavor to have the light act as naturally as 
 circumstances will admit of upon our miniature aqua world. 
 It behooves us then to consider how we should place the 
 tank with regard to light, so as to approach nature and her 
 laws as closely as possible. With this object in view as our 
 guide, we easily discern that in their native waters animal 
 and vegetable life receive their light from above, therefore 
 we c&n immediately conclude that such is the only natural 
 position they should be placed in, in regard to light. In view 
 of this, the only perfect plan is to have the tank so constructed 
 and placed, that the light can only enter it from the top, or 
 
22 
 
 TIIE LOCATION OF TIIE AQUARIUM 
 
 surface of the water : this is correct because it is natural. In 
 our attempts to domesticate, rear and keep in confinement 
 animal and vegetable life, our primary object should be to 
 surround those objects with as natural circumstances as we can. 
 
 In the fine collections of the Royal Zoological Society of 
 London, the Derby Institute of Liverpool, the Hamburgh 
 Aquarial Gardens, and others in Europe, this principle is 
 adopted ; all the light entering the halls passing directly 
 through the tanks from the top, acting naturally upon the 
 life contained therein and producing to the spectator a beau- 
 tifully illuminated effect, the exquisite beauty of which must 
 be seen to be properly appreciated. In the Aquaria of the 
 American Museum in New York, which at the present time 
 is the only public exhibition of the kind in the United States, 
 this excellent principle has not been adopted, (the building 
 not being suited for the purpose) ; there the tanks have 
 glasses front and back, the light passes through from different 
 directions, and this unnatural degree of light causes diseases 
 to the fish, in many cases rendering them blind. Especially 
 is this the case with the Diodon maculata-striatci or Spot Striped 
 Balloon Fish, whose eyes are brilliant emerald, and altogether 
 one of the most curious of our native marine fish, and well 
 adapted to the Marine Aquarium under favorable circumstan- 
 ces. This unnatural degree of light also causes great changes 
 in the colors of various species, the most remarkable of which 
 I have observed, is in the new species of Pomotis I discovered 
 in the tributaries of the Hackensack River, New Jersey, and 
 which I named the Pomotis on account of its natural fond- 
 ness for shady and secluded locations. In this new and 
 interesting species, the colors almost entirely fade when 
 exposed to the strong light to 'which most Aquariums are 
 
IN REFERENCE TO LIGHT AND IIEAT. 
 
 23 
 
 placed in. This fact is universal with this fish, as I have 
 placed many hundreds of them in such Aquariums and the 
 result always was the same. Of this fact I shall speak more 
 minutely in the description of the fish and its habits. This 
 powerful light acts directly the reverse in the case of its con- 
 genor, the well known common Sun Fish, Pomotis Vulgaris; 
 in this it tends to intensify the color, rendering it much 
 darker and richer. This may be accounted for from the fact 
 that the common Sun Fish delights to bask in the strong 
 sun light, from which circumstance it received its name. 
 
 In this new and improved location for placing the tank, 
 but one glass is used in the same, the front one, the ends and 
 back being solid, the window being above the tank, enclosed 
 with darkened screens that surround it and descend to the 
 top of the tank, concentrating every ray of light into the 
 surface of the water, and all the light entering the apartment 
 passes through the tank. 
 
 It cannot however be expected that many individuals can 
 or would be able to adopt this plan of light, yet all can use 
 discretion in placing their Aquariums in as good a position 
 in respect to light and heat as circumstances will admit. 
 Never place it directly in front of a window so that the light 
 passes through it, as many do, for in viewing an Aquarium 
 to advantage, we should look with the light, not against it ; 
 besides those minute and troublesome plants, the Tyndarideas 
 and other Conferva ?, grow so rapidly they soon discolor the 
 water, coating the interior with a green slime, that frequent 
 changes of water will not eradicate. 
 
 Neither should your Aquarium be placed where compara- 
 tively no light strikes it ; this is the other extreme, in that 
 case your vegetation will soon wither, loose its brilliancy of 
 coloring, droop and die. 
 
24 THE LOCATION OF TIIE AQUAKIUM, ETC. 
 
 Van Mons and Vasali, two distinguished European philos- 
 ophers, assert that the light of a lamp and even of the moon 
 exercises a coloring influence upon plants. I know from 
 experience that aquatic plants, if kept in a dark room for a 
 few days, no matter what quantity of water they are kept in, 
 immediately begin to decay, and after it has actually com- 
 menced, no amount of light is adequate to their restoration. 
 This is particularly the case with the Ceratophyllum demersum. 
 
CHAPTER Y. 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Arrangement of the Aquarium — Rockwork, how arranged — Instructions as to its 
 proper arrangement — Effect produced upon fish by long confinement without 
 food— Food a necessity for their preservation and health — Diseases incidental to 
 fish. 
 
 In the interior arrangement of the tank and its conversion 
 into an Aquarium, taste and skill are requisite to guide us in 
 our labors. Many minutia to be employed, which however 
 well the experienced Aquarist may be skilled in, yet in words 
 he cannot convey to others. But the following is a brief 
 sketch of the general modus operandi requisite. 
 
 The position being selected under guidance of our previous 
 chapter, see that your tank be thoroughly cleansed; then 
 cover the bottom of the same to a depth of one to three 
 inches (according to the size of your tank) with well washed 
 pebbles or river sand, care should be taken not to use salt 
 water sand. A few natural rocks, readily procured in the 
 environs of the city, are requisite for picturesque effect ; these 
 should be grouped so as to have a careless or accidental 
 appearance, avoiding too much formality, as in this way they 
 present a much more natural appearance. Rocks so placed 
 that they represent one or more arches or bridges, under 
 which the fishes can pass, have the most pleasing effect. The 
 c 
 
2G 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 extent of rockwork should be governed by the dimensions 
 of the tank. But in all attempts of this kind towards orna- 
 mentation, avoid artificial representations of rocks manufac- 
 tured of clay ; let us follow nature as near as we can and not 
 burlesque it. An excellent substitute for rockwork is pumice 
 stone, this can be procured in large pieces and is readily cut 
 into any desired form ; it possesses in fact one great advantage 
 over natural rocks, its lightness never endangering the 
 breakage of your glass by accidental displacement. Persons 
 not fancying this arrangement of the rocks, can adopt another 
 very good plan, by leaving the centre of the tank uninter- 
 rupted by them and forming a ledge of rocks at the extreme 
 end of the same ; it can be arranged very tastefully this way. 
 After you have planned the position for your rockwork, care 
 should be taken that they set firmly together, as their falling 
 would endanger the breakage of the glass. Your rocks being 
 grouped to advantage and firmly placed, the next step is the 
 introduction of the plants; if your tank is large, you will 
 require several distinct species, these should be selected with 
 a view to variety of color and form of foliage. Before 
 placing them in, see that they are carefully cleansed of all 
 extraneous matter, and be sure they are fresh and but recently 
 taken from the water ; fasten them down securely in the 
 niches of the rockwork, and a few amongst the pebbles or 
 sand. They should be secured without string as it soon rots 
 and the plants become loosened from their place ; a small 
 stone carefully laid upon their roots, or the same enclosed 
 within a ball of clay are more permanent. When they are 
 grouped to advantage, (in doing this much taste can be 
 displayed), fill the tank with water. In filling it, care should 
 be taken not to dash the water so as to dislodge any of your 
 
ARRANGEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 27 
 
 former work $ a syphon made of small rubber hose answers 
 the purpose very well, by elevating the bucket containing the 
 water above the level of the tank, placing one end of the hose 
 in the same and by exhausting the air out of the pipe, the 
 water will pass from the bucket to the tank freely. This 
 syphon is formed easily by placing the end of the pipe to 
 your mouth and drawing your breath strongly ; the water 
 under this suction power forces the air out and then flows 
 freely. This syphon can be produced another way, that is, 
 by filling the pipe with water, closing up the aperture at 
 either end with your fingers, then place one end in the bucket 
 below the surface of the water, and as soon as your finger is 
 withdrawn from the other end, provided it is held below the 
 level of the end in the bucket, the water will immediately 
 flow. If not supplied with a hose of this description, a 
 watering pot answers the purpose very well. The stream 
 should be directed so as to strike the sides of the tank, in 
 this way it can be filled with less disarrangement than by any 
 other. The tank should not be filled too full, that Tritons or 
 Turtles can crawl out, or Trout, Pickerel or Dace jump out, 
 as they are liable to do if such is the case. A small Island 
 made of cork and covered with moss, upon which may be 
 grown one or more small ferns or other marshy plants, adds 
 greatly to the beauty of your Aquarium, and affords a conve- 
 nient and necessary resting place for Tritons, Salamanders, 
 Turtles or Cray Fish, to rest upon, as they of necessity require 
 some place of the kind above the surface of the water. If 
 you. do not choose to furnish this floating resting place, a 
 substitute can be adopted, by allowing the rocks to project 
 above the water surface. 
 
 Of all things avoid over crowding; this is almost a 
 universal error, people generally are never satisfied to have a 
 
28 ARRANGEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 few healthy fish in their Aquariums, but they place in it so 
 many that the carbon thrown off by the same cannot be neutra- 
 lized by a sufficient amount of vegetation. Avoid also too 
 much rockwork, remembering this, the more rock you have 
 the less water. 
 
 Should you desire to raise any of the various species of 
 frogs from their incipient stages, or rear any of the aquatic 
 Coleoptera in your Aquarium, it is necessary to cover the 
 same, to prevent their escape; this is easily done by con- 
 structing a light frame work fitting the top of the tank and 
 covering it with gauze or fine netting. 
 
 Of all the Animal Kingdom, whether warm or cold blooded, 
 none can sustain life so long without food as fish ; yet to keep 
 them healthy and prosperous they should be fed. The Carp 
 will live for months in the tank without introduced food, yet 
 they become deformed ; the stomach is drawn up so that the 
 under part of the fish is concave, and in the same proportion 
 as this is contracted the back or dorsal line is raised, forming 
 a highly convexed line, giving to the fish a deformed appear- 
 ance. But whilst such is the effect produced upon this fish 
 by long confinement without introduced food, it must not be 
 understood thereby, that all the deformed carp we so often 
 see for sale in Aquaria stores, receive their deformity thereby ; 
 by no means ! In its appropriate place allusion will be made 
 specially to this deformity. 
 
 Fish should be regularly fed or they will prey upon one 
 another ; it is on this account, that so many object keeping the 
 Pomotis vulgaris and appendix (Sun Fish) in their tanks ; they 
 complain and justly too, that they kill the other fish ; of 
 course they will if not regularly fed. Naturally carnivorous, 
 they require considerable introduced food, and if not supplied 
 
ARRANGEMENT OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 29 
 
 help themselves to their smaller companions. Who that 
 knew anything of the natural habits of Trout, Pickerel or 
 Perch would expect them to live on water alone ? All the 
 Perch family are carnivorous requiring considerable introduced 
 food. So with the Pimelodus or Cat Fish, they also are very 
 voracious. The Cyprinus (Carp), the Catastoma (Suckers), the 
 Labeo (Chub-sucker), and other genera are vegetable feeders, 
 scarcely requiring introduced food. 
 
 Fish, like all animal life, are subject to diseases, but unlike 
 the higher orders of animals, but little can be done for them. 
 Those beautiful Angel Fish, Holicanthus ciliaris , which so many 
 have so much admired in the Aquaria of the American 
 Museum, are very much subject to attacks of vertigo, which 
 usually proves fatal. Sometimes when so attacked, by lifting 
 them gently out the water for a few seconds, it will pass off 
 and the fish resume its former appearance ; but I have found 
 these attacks on the brain return from time to time, and even- 
 tually prove fatal. During these attacks the fish is unable to 
 maintain its equilibrium, dashes wildly about striking the 
 sides of the tank, swimming often perfectly inverted, reeling 
 over and darting about whilst the paroxysms last. 
 
 The most general disease fish are subject to undoubtedly is 
 constipation, occasioned likely from the want of their natural 
 food. 
 
 Some species are subject to peculiar warty excrescences 
 growing upon them ; I have observed this most particularly 
 the case in the Pomotis. 
 
 Fish intended for the Aquarium should be handled with 
 great care, the less the better, as they are easily injured, much 
 easier than is usually imagined. If a fish be allowed to fall to 
 the ground, no perceptible injury may be apparent at the 
 
30 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 time, but in the space of four or five days, the wounds make 
 their appearance in the form of bruises that soon assume a 
 wooly appearance ; these when examined under a powerful 
 lens, are found to be vegetation ; a parasitical fungi that 
 spreads over the fish, and in a majority of cases, proves fatal. 
 When fish are so injured, the wounded parts should be care- 
 fully cleansed with a soft sponge attached to a stick from day 
 to day ; their lives may often be saved by this process. 
 
 Some of the larger species are subject to living parasites 
 that attach themselves to the gills, and ultimately destroy 
 them. When the Carp or Gold Fish sicken, their bright 
 colors fade, and assume a dull yellow color. 
 
 If any fish in the Aquarium show signs of disease, they 
 should be immediately taken out and placed by themselves, to 
 preserve the health of the remainder. 
 
 The eye is the best index of health; as long as that is 
 bright and clear, all is well ; but when a film appears upon it, 
 it is a sure indication of the presence of disease. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 THE FISH. 
 
 Specific descriptions of the various species applicable to the Aquarium. 
 
 Precedence must be given to the Golden Carp or Gold Fish 
 on account of its popularity. 
 
 Cyprinus auratus. — Golden Carp or Gold Fish. 
 
 The Gold Fish is undoubtedly a degenerate or cross-bred 
 variety of carp, having no established specific character ; in 
 this respect being the only example of the kind known to 
 Ichthyology. 
 
 It was originally a native of China and was introduced into 
 Europe nearly two centuries ago, to gratify the fanciful whim 
 of Madame Pompadour of France, who at that period was the 
 reigning favorite of the fashion and splendor at the French 
 Court. It soon became a general favorite and was shortly 
 
32 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 afterwards introduced into Great Britain and other countries 
 of Europe. We have no exact data as to the time of its 
 introduction into this country, but it is of comparatively recent 
 date ; it is only since the discovery of the fact that fish, reptiles, 
 insects and plants could exist and thrive together in an artifi- 
 cial vessel, that the fact of the existence of Gold Fish in our 
 midst became generally known to the public. In .China many 
 distinct varieties of the Carp are known ; De Savigney in his 
 Natural History of China figures eighty-nine distinct varieties. 
 Much trouble and expense has been used to produce varieties 
 by the amalgamation of species in China ; in this manner an 
 endless variety of form and color was produced. • It is a well 
 established fact in Natural History that two distinct species 
 of animals, whether fish, birds or quadrupeds, if crossed, their 
 progeny are hybreds, and henceforth necessarily loose the 
 specific characters of the species from whence they derived 
 their origin. The Golden Carp as introduced into Europe 
 undoubtedly had lost all specific character, from their long 
 domestication ; hence the infinite variety of forms and colors 
 they assume, from the most symmetrical to deformed hunch- 
 backs. A few have a triple caudal, in some the dorsal fin is 
 entirely wanting, in others only a rudimentary one, in some a 
 prolongation of the first two or three anterior rays of the same, 
 whilst the posterior part is wanting. The colors vary equally 
 with the anatomical structure ; some are pearly white, whilst 
 others are deep black with perhaps a few blotches of red or 
 white or both, others brilliant red, some with shades of 
 greenish yellow and metallic brown ; in short it would be 
 impossible to enumerate the variations of color assumed by 
 the Golden Carp. What is commonly known as the Silver 
 Fish is only a variety of the Carp, in some of these the silvery 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 33 
 
 white always remains, whilst others turn red, red and white, 
 red and black, or the three combined, and in many of the 
 Silver Carp the back is of a beautiful purple. The change of 
 color is not always from the Silver to the Gold Fish, but often 
 vice versa ; I have frequently had bright Gold Fish lose their 
 red coloring and assume the plain garb of the Silver Fish. 
 The brightness of color in the Golden Carp appears to be 
 local; in some ponds inhabited by these fish all are high 
 colored, these ponds I have observed usually had a rich 
 alluvial bottom, whilst in ponds having clayey or yellow mud 
 bottoms the fish are usually of a poor color, having a yellowish 
 tinge. 
 
 The Gold Fish are and no doubt always will be the most pop- 
 ular habitants of the Aquarium, capable of enduring the great- 
 est variations of temperature, whilst their gaudy and varied 
 coloring render them the most attractive to the superficial 
 observer. 
 
 If an Aquarium be in a good condition, healthy, the plants 
 contained therein in a good growing state, in such an Aquarium 
 the Gold Fish require but little introduced food, as the water 
 in such a tank contains large quantities of animalculae and 
 minute vegtable spores, that keep the fish in a much healthier 
 state than any food usually given them. Many foolish notions 
 are entertained relative to the sexes of the Gold Fishes, one 
 of these most prevalent is, that those varieties only that have 
 a short or abbreviated dorsal are males ; this is quite erroneous. 
 Some, too, think that the abbreviated dorsal is indicative of a 
 distinct species, and have asserted that this peculiarity exists 
 only when the dorsal line of the fish is highly convex, causing 
 the fish to appear deformed ; this also I am satisfied is incor- 
 rect, as I have specially selected at times large numbers of 
 
34 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Carp for their symmetrical form, and many of them possessed 
 the contracted dorsal fin. 
 
 The number of fin rays likewise are irregular, one principle 
 feature that determines the identity of species ; they usually 
 occur in the Carp, as follows, (but vary occasionally in indi- 
 vidual specimens,) Dosal, sixteen to twenty rays ; Caudal, 
 seventeen to twenty; Anal, six to eight; Ventrals, nine, and 
 Pectorals, fifteen. The Gold Fish grows to a large size, the 
 largest about twelve inches in length and weighing nearly 
 two pounds ; they do not bite very freely at bait, and are little 
 esteemed as an article of food, being coarse and dry. 
 
 Salmo fontanalis . — Brook Trout. 
 
 The Salmo fontanalis — Speckled or Brook Trout. Un- 
 doubtedly the most beautiful of our fluvial fishes. They 
 inhabit swift and clear running streams and are the delight 
 of the angler. If introduced into the Aquarium, they must 
 be supplied with running water, and should be well fed, as 
 they are naturally very voracious ; they will eat beef with 
 avidity, and thrive well under favorable circumstances. In 
 ail cases Trout are best kept by themselves, and the tank 
 should be securely covered with net work to prevent their 
 jumping out. The Trout is a smooth scaled fish, the scale 
 being minute, oblong and imbedded in the skin. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 35 
 
 Specific Character : Upper part of the head and back 
 dark bronzed green, mottled with darker shades. General 
 color of the body, clear horn color, irregularly mottled with 
 darker hues. Sides of the body varied with tinges of blue and 
 silvery white. Lateral line quite distinct and slightly curved 
 downwards. Sides of the body with numerous small bright 
 vermillion colored dots, having the appearance of red sealing 
 wax. Dorsal, thirteen rays of a light yellowish color with 
 interrupted olive brown bars, three in number. Caudal, 
 nineteen rays, banded with numerous obscure bands. Anal, 
 fourteen rays, tinged with rich reddish hues as in the caudal, 
 the first or anterior ray clear white, the second and third 
 tipped with white only, tip of the fourth black, broadly mar- 
 gined with white. Ventrals, eight rays tinged with red, the 
 fins varied with white and black as in the anal. Pectorals, 
 twelve rays, pointed, first light yellow, second blackish 
 brown, the other ten, orange. Irides, white. 
 
 The brook trout attains to a large size, from three to four 
 pounds being the limit. Two and two and a half is considered 
 very large. 
 
 Esox reticulatus. — Common Pickerel. — (Le Seur.) 
 
 The Pickerel, like the Trout, affords excellent sport to the 
 angler, this species sometimes exceeding three feet in length. 
 When quite young they are suited to the Aquarium, but if 
 large must be kept by themselves ; in all cases they must be 
 regularly fed, and will eat nothing but live foo4. 
 
36 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 » 
 
 Specific Character : General color, deep olive green 
 above, tinged with yellow on the sides, the irregular bands 
 dark brown. Dorsal, eighteen rays, tinged with green. 
 Caudal, nineteen rays, shaded with greenish. Anal, fourteen 
 rays, tinged with light red. Ventrals, ten rays, also tinged 
 with red. Pectorals, sixteen rays. Irides, yellow varied 
 with blue. Caudal, deeply emarginate, nearly forked. 
 
 The Varied Pickerel. — Esox fasciatus . — (De Kay.) 
 
 The Varied Pickerel is a much smaller fish than the one 
 last described, seldom exceeding ten inches in length. They 
 are quite tenacious of life and do well for the aquarium, they 
 require the same food as the reticulatus. 
 
 Specific Character : Whole upper parts dark olive 
 
 brown, a distinct dorsal line of light brown extends from the 
 termination of the upper jaw to the base of the caudel. Sides 
 beautifully mottled, becoming indistinct towards the belly. 
 A well defined blackish brown line from the eye to the angle 
 of the jaw. Pupil of the eye black, irides whitish, tinged 
 with green. Dorsal fin, fourteen rays. Pectorals, thirteen. 
 Ventrals, nine. Anal, thirteen, and Caudal, twenty, and is only 
 slightly emarginate. Ventrals and anal tinged with red 
 strongly, the pectorals, dorsal and caudal slightly. This spe- 
 cies of Pickerel are easily tamed, so that they will allow you 
 to stroke them as they lie on the surface of the water, and are 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 37 
 
 the only fresh water fish adapted to the Aquarium in which 
 this peculiarity exists. The same thing can be done to the 
 Pilot Fish, one of our marine fish, the one that usually pilots 
 the sharks whilst in search of prey. 
 
 The Lepisosteus. — Bison-Buffalo Bony Pike. 
 
 The Buffalo Bony Pike or Alligator Gar, is the most pecu- 
 liar of any of our fluvial fishes. They are plentiful in the 
 western portion of the State of New York, and attain a large 
 size, specimens having been taken from three to four feet in 
 length. When small they are a great acquisition to the 
 Aquarium. The one from which the above cut was taken 
 had been in the Aquaria of the American Museum over 
 six months, and thrives well growing rapidly, eating two or 
 three small Fundulus zebra about three times a week. 
 
 Specific Character r General color, bright light cinna- 
 mon, upper part of the body with a row of black spots along 
 the dorsal line. A very conspicuous lateral band extends 
 from the tail directly through the eyes to the extremity of the 
 jaws, this lateral band is jagged or irregular along its upper 
 and lower margins ; along the sides are several deep black 
 blotches immediately above the lateral band, lower part of 
 the sides more or less marked with black. Under part of the 
 body white, with numerous black markings. Pupil of the 
 eyes black, irides cream color. Dorsal, eight rays with sev- 
 
 D 
 
38 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 eral conspicuous black spots. Caudal, fourteen rays, the webs 
 slightly scolloped at their tips, with five or six very large 
 black spots mostly arranged near the extremity and three or 
 four near the centre. Anal, ten rays spotted with black. 
 Ventrals, seven rays conspicuously marked with black spots. 
 Pectorals, fourteen rays also marked with black spots. Mouth 
 armed with a fine row of small acute teeth on its inner 
 margin. Caudal appendage very flexible, capable of being 
 raised or depressed at pleasure, and used as^ a rudder. This 
 % caudal appendage is peculiar to this species. 
 
 Pimeoma sub-fasciatum. — Champlain Pickering. 
 
 The Champlain Pickering or as it is commonly called the 
 Little Pickering. The above figure represents the full aver- 
 age size of this little fish. They are very plentiful in some 
 portions of the waters of Lake Champlain, where they may 
 be seen in the clear waters of the lake darting about with 
 great swiftness. 
 
 Specific Character: General color light olive green, 
 
 back banded with twenty vertical bands that descend about 
 half way down the sides. The gill covers, very beautiful 
 metallic green with rich golden reflections. A well defined 
 and conspicuous round spot of a dark olive color at the base 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 39 
 
 of the caudal, this spot being about the same shade of color 
 as the vertical bands. Pupils, purplish ; irides, silvery. Ante- 
 rior dorsal, thirteen pointed rays, the rays clouded at their 
 base ; posterior dorsal, fifteen rays, the webs slightly dotted 
 with brown. Caudal nearly even, fifteen rays and having 
 four or five distinct vertical bands of a dark brown color. 
 Anal, twelve rays, Ventrals, six rays, Pectorals, rounded with 
 fifteen rays. 
 
 Perea flavescens. — American Yellow Perch. 
 
 This beautiful fish possesses numerous cognomens. Amer- 
 ican Yellow Perch, Black Banded Perch and Banded Bass, 
 by which it is known in different sections of the country ; 
 the first, however, is the proper one. This beautiful fish is 
 noted for the richness of its coloring and its excellent edible 
 qualities, being highly esteemed by epicures. They attain a 
 large size. I have taken them two pounds in weight, and 
 have seen them much larger. When young they are an 
 acquisition to the Aquarium, and thrive well in a large tank ; 
 they inhabit most of the large lakes of the northern States 
 and in some locations are very numerous. This species is 
 
40 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 closely allied to the Perea fluviatilis, or Fresh Water Perch of 
 Europe. In Rockland Lake, Rockland County, New York, 
 they are very plentiful ; also in Lake Ronkonkoma they are 
 numerous and attain a very large size, being also the only 
 species of fish found in this lake ; this latter fact I give on 
 the authority of an intelligent gentleman, a resident in that 
 locality. They are rarely if ever taken in running streams. 
 Like all the family of Perciadce , they are carniverous, and 
 require considerable food, and will devour beef with 
 avidity. 
 
 Specific Character: General color of the upper parts 
 
 dark and rich olive green ; sides tinged with greenish yellow ; 
 lower parts of the body rich yellow, extending up the sides 
 where it is blended into the olive green of the upper parts ; 
 chin and throat flesh color ; upper part of the body and sides 
 with six to eight blackish vertical bands of irregular lengths, 
 extending partly down the sides, gradually becoming lighter 
 as they reach the lower half of the body ; pupils of the eyes 
 black, irides, rich yellow ; anterior dorsal, dusky, with fifteen 
 acute pointed rays ; posterior dorsal, fifteen or sixteen rays, 
 nearly even, with a row of spots on the spines of the same ; 
 caudal rounded, slightly emarginate, consisting of seventeen 
 rays ; anal, bright orange, have two spinous and eight articu- 
 lated rays ; ventrals, bright orange with six rays ; pectorals, 
 fourteen rays. A lateral line extends from the upper part of 
 the gill covers, ascending in a curve upwards and parallel 
 with the convexed back of the fish. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 41 
 
 Perea serrata-granulata . — Rough Yellow Perch. 
 
 This species bears a considerable resemblance to the last 
 mentioned species, the chief differences being the following. 
 In this, the anterior dorsal is unspotted or clouded as in the 
 flavescens , whilst this one possesses a series of roughened radi- 
 ated lines on the head, this latter peculiarity suggested its 
 name. In their habits they are allied to the flavescens , but 
 are not so numerous or generally distributed. 
 
 Specific Character : General color and markings the 
 same as the American Yellow Perch. Anterior dorsal, four- 
 teen rays, posterior, fifteen rays. Caudal, seventeen rays. 
 Anal, two spinous and seven articulated rays. Ventrals, one 
 spinous and five articulated rays. Pectorals, thirteen or four- 
 teen rays. 
 
42 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 
 Labrax pallidus. — White Percii. {Mitchell.) 
 
 This fish is also known under the name of White Bass. 
 Their habits are closely allied to the Perea and bear an affinital 
 resemblance to them. They attain to a length of ten to 
 twelve inches, although Dr. DeKay says it never exceeds 
 four to five inches. This species is plentiful in the Passaic 
 and its tributaries, the Hudson, the Croton and many other 
 streams of New York and New Jersey. 
 
 Specific Character: Body compressed, dorsal line con- 
 siderably elevated, sharply descending towards the end of the 
 jaws. General color pale bluish white above, sides and whole 
 under parts white. Dorsal fin apparently divided into two 
 sections as in Perea, but upon close examination it is found 
 to be connected by a minute membrane. Anterior portion of 
 the dorsal, nine acute spinous rays ; posterior portion of the 
 same, thirteen rays. Caudal, emarginate with seventeen rays. 
 Anal, ten rays, the first anterior one short and spinous, second 
 and third spinous, and the remainder articulated, the webs of 
 the same slightly dotted with brown and tinged with pink. 
 
THE ANIMAT, LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 43 
 
 Ventrals, pinkish, having one anterior spinous and five articu- 
 lated rays dotted as in the anal. Pectorals, seventeen rays 
 clouded at their base. Lateral line distinct, curved down- 
 wards. 
 
 Labrax nigricans . — Small Black Bass. (DeKay.) 
 
 This species is known under various local names $ Small 
 Black Bass, Black Perch, Fresh Water Black Fish, etc. 
 They inhabit deep ponds in Queens and Suffolk Counties, 
 Long Island, lie close at the bottom, are extremely shy, in 
 their habits resembling the Common Black Fish. They 
 afford excellent sport for the angler, readily take the fly, and 
 attain a size of a foot in length. When small they are a 
 great acquisition to the Aquarium, are easily kept, being very 
 tenacious of life. 
 
 Specific Character : Body compressed as in the pallidus , 
 and having the dorsal line elevated and descending in a simi- 
 
44 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 lar manner. General color, head and whole upper parts deep 
 velvety black, lighter as it descends ; sides tinged with yellow 
 indistinctly. Pupil of the eye black ; irides, yellow. Dorsal, 
 consisting of two parts ; anterior portion more elevated than 
 the second, consisting of nine or ten rays ; posterior fin, one 
 spinous and twelve other rays. Anterior dorsal has the edge 
 of the spinous membrane black. Posterior dorsal with the 
 upper half of the membrane beautifully diaphanous, lower 
 half of the same clouded, and divided from the upper by a 
 well defined longitudinal line. Caudal, furcate, tips sub-acutely 
 rounded, clouded at the base. Anal, with three spinous and 
 eight branched rays. Ventrals, one spinous and five branched 
 rays. Pectorals, sixteen rays. Base of all the fins light 
 greenish yellow. Lateral line distinct but interrupted, de- 
 scending downwards. 
 
 Aphredoderus sayanus. — Spineless Perch. 
 
 This small fish is rare, and as yet but little known, the 
 above figure represents the average size. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 45 
 
 Specific Character ; General color above, dusky brown, 
 whole under parts, light yellowish. Dorsal, with three spinous 
 and eleven branched rays, membranes, clouded at their tips. 
 Caudal, rounded with seventeen branched rays. Anal, with 
 three abbreviated spinous and seven branched rays. Pec- 
 torals, with twelve rays. 
 
 Centrarchus ceneus. — Fresh Water Bass. 
 
 This fish is common in the waters of the upper part of the 
 State of New York, viz.: the Erie canal, Hudson and its trib- 
 utaries, Lake Champlain, etc. 
 
 Specific Character : General color, dark greenish bronze, 
 a dark lateral curved line along the sides, below this a series 
 of irregular waved lines of various lengths, the upper one 
 longest. Dorsal, with eleven spinous and twelve articulated 
 rays. Caudal, seventeen rays. Anal, six spinous and eleven 
 articulated rays. Ventral s, one spinous and five articulated 
 rays. Scales, diamond shape. Eyes prominent and large. 
 Length six to ten inches. 
 
46 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Pomotis Vulgaris . — Common Sun Fish. 
 
 This common but beautiful fish is known under a variety 
 of local names, such as Sun Fish, Pond Fish, Pumpkin Seed, 
 etc. No better denizen of the tank can be selected ; lively, 
 vivacious, hardy and handsome, he comes well recommended 
 to us. Many are prejudiced against them, because they are 
 apt to attack other fish and sometimes kill them. This how- 
 ever I am satisfied they never do when properly fed ; but if 
 left to starve, being naturally spirited and pugnacious, they 
 will attack and destroy their more feeble companions. I have 
 placed at various times numbers of adult Sun Fish in the 
 Aquaria, where they have been kept for many months in the 
 same tank with Gold and other fish, and have never moles- 
 ted their companions, because they were regularly and 
 liberally fed. 
 
 In Rockland and other large Lakes, where the water is 
 so clear and pure that the bottom can be distinctly seen at 
 a depth of ten to twelve feet, I have observed the habits of 
 these fish during the season of reproduction, with much 
 pleasure. They select those localities where the bottom is 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 47 
 
 of a sandy or light character, and scoop out a large hole, 
 circular in form, and from three to four feet in diameter ; 
 here their spawn is deposited, and woe to any fish large or 
 small that dares invade its sacred precint : the largest fish 
 they instantly drive away, darting at them with great 
 ferocity, a proof that even fish have an innate affection for 
 their offspring. These circular spawning beds were distri- 
 bute<J at intervals over a considerable portion of the lake. 
 
 They have a wide distribution, being found throughout 
 almost all portions of the United States. In conjunction 
 with my friend Capt. J. H. Mortimer of Savannah, we have 
 introduced them into private ponds of England, with what 
 success time alone can determine. 
 
 Specific Character : Body greatly compressed ; dorsal 
 
 outline, high and arched ; general color, whole upper parts 
 
 * 
 
 and sides varied with metallic green and intermingled with 
 black, darkest on the back cheeks and fore part of the head, 
 with clear blue waved lines ; opercles, lustrous blue and 
 green ; abdomen, bright sienna ; pupil of the eyes, black ; 
 irides, greenish blue tinged with red ; a large conspicuous 
 black spot margined with bright red on the posterior angle 
 of the opercle ; dorsal and anal fins spotted with brown ; 
 whole body spotted with reddish brown spots ; opercles, 
 striated with reddish yellow bands converging to the eyes ; 
 dorsal, nine spinous rays, first, second and third, shortest, and 
 ten branched, the middle spinous and branched rays longest ; 
 caudal emarginate, eighteen rays; anal, rounded, three spi- 
 nous and nine branched rays ; ventrals, one spinous and five 
 branched rays ; pectorals, yellow, ten branched rays ; ventrals, 
 immediately below the second spine of the dorsal. 
 
 In a specimen seven inches in length, now before me, the 
 following are the relative measurements : Greatest depth of 
 
48 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 the body, three inches ; centre of the eye to the end of the 
 mouth, five-eighth of an inch $ length of the dorsal, two and 
 one-half inches ; heighth of the same in its most elevated 
 part, one and one-quarter inches ; length of the caudal, one 
 and one-quarter inches, breadth at its extremity, two and 
 one-quarter inches, at its base one inch ; thickness of the 
 body, one and one-eighth inches ; length of the anal fin, one 
 and one-quarter inches ; .distance from the vent to the # anal, 
 one-quarter of an inch ; from the anal to the ventral fins, one 
 and three-eighths inches ; length of the pectorals, one and 
 five-eighths inches ; from the centre of the eyes to the centre 
 of the base of the pectorals, one and three-eighths inches ; 
 from the centre of the eyes to the prolongation of the opercle, 
 one and one-quarter inches. 
 
 Pomotis appendix. — Black Eared Sun Fish. — (Mitchell.) 
 
 The Black Eared Sun or Pond Fish is a well defined spe- 
 cies, although not so well knowm or so widely distributed as 
 the vulgaris . Dr. De Kay in the Ichthyological part of the 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 49 
 
 work upon the Natural History of the State of New York, 
 quotes this species from Dr. Mitchell, but says he never him- 
 self met with it; this is indeed singular, because in many 
 localities they are very numerous. I have experienced no 
 difficulty in obtaining fifty to sixty specimens of this fish in a 
 few hours on several occasions, baiting with the common 
 earth worm. They fully equal the vulgaris in size, their 
 habits are similar, but "their bodies are deeper and broader. 
 The prolongation of the posterior angle of the opercle is a 
 peculiar characteristic of this fish, and suggested its name. 
 In some of the lakes and large ponds in the interior of New 
 Jersey and the adjacent county of Rockland in this State, I 
 have taken many very fine specimens of the appendix . 
 
 Specific Character : Body not so decidedly compressed 
 as in the vulgaris , mouth larger. General color, yellowish 
 brown. Throat and whole under parts, rich reddish brown, 
 fading towards the posterior extremities. Prolongation of 
 the opercle, ear-shaped and entirely black. Dorsal, ten 
 spinous and eleven articulated rays. Caudal, nineteen rays. 
 Anal, three spinous and ten branched rays. Yentrals, five 
 rays. Pectorals, thirteen rays. 
 
 In some specimens I have taken, the sides of the body 
 were tinged with a light bluish slate color. The lower parts 
 are much richer in color than the vulgaris . 
 
 E 
 
50 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Pomotis secludens. 
 
 This new species of Pomotis I discovered a few years since 
 in the tributaries of the Hackensack River in New Jersey, 
 and here append a minute description of it. It will at once be 
 observed that its characteristics are well defined, being in all 
 cases uniform ; and although extremely local, is very numer- 
 ous in its special localities. Whilst the vulgaris and appendix 
 love the sun light, delighting to bask in its warm rays, this 
 species prefers secluded spots where vegetation to a great 
 extent closes out the strong light. I find them exclusively 
 in those localities where an excess of aquatic vegetation exists. 
 When kept in Aquaria as ordinarily placed, in reference 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 51 
 
 to light, they soon lose all their richness of color, the metallic 
 hues on the flanks entirely disappears. The blue dots 
 sprinkled over the sides fade out and they assume a plain 
 garb of yellowish brown. When so faded out, the dark ver- 
 tical bands are much more prominently seen than before 
 upon their sides. This fact of their color being so quickly 
 and decidedly changed when exposed to a strong light, may 
 perhaps be accounted for from their natural habits of seclusion 
 just mentioned. I have placed many hundreds of these fish 
 in Aquaria, and wherever the same were too much exposed 
 to the action of light, which I would remark is almost uni- 
 versally the case, the change of color always without an 
 exception was the immediate result. In other respects they 
 are hardy and bear confinement well ; the chief organic dis- 
 tinction in this species is the remarkably full development of 
 the fins, more especially the dorsal and anal. In the. waters 
 inhabited by them, grow masses of Ceratophyllum demersum and 
 Lemna trisulca. 
 
 This species is small, never exceeding four inches in length, 
 out of many hundreds taken, I have never seen any to exceed 
 this length. 
 
 Specific Character : Body compressed as in all the spe- 
 cies of the genus, fins greatly developed. 
 
 General color, upper part of the body deep blackish brown, 
 with innumerable, small bluish dots. A pale lateral line 
 proceeds from the upper posterior angle of the opercles, 
 forming a curved line parallel with the dorsal ridge of the 
 body, and terminating near the lower base of the caudal. The 
 blue dots on the sides of the body arranged in irregular lines 
 laterally. Flanks and abdomen, rich violet. Opercles with 
 a conspicuous black oblong spot on its posterior margin, this 
 
52 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 black spot bordered with light blue on its upper, anterior 
 and lower edges ; the rest of the opercles, deep brownish 
 black, spotted with bright blue. A broad and well defined 
 black vertical band extends from the upper part of the head 
 to the centre of the upper edge of the hides, continued from 
 the lower edge of the same to the base of the opercles. 
 Scales broadly rounded, all of them margined with dark 
 brown, with their centres lightest. Sides of the body with 
 seven vertical bands extending the depth of the body. 
 
 Dorsal fin with eight spinous and ten branched rays, the 
 first anterior spine very short, second and third progressively 
 long and the five others nearly equal, the branched rays are 
 each terminated by four distinct branchlets. Whole of the 
 dorsal clouded with reddish brown, each ray distinctly dotted 
 with a series of light blue spots. Caudal, largely developed, 
 finely rounded, consisting of sixteen branched rays, four 
 branchlets each, clouded and spotted as in the dorsal. Anal, 
 rich reddish brown on its upper half, with two spinous and 
 ten branched rays ; the first spinous ray very short, the other 
 double the length of the first. This fin is remarkably fully 
 developed, and having the webs spotted with light blue, 
 especially the posterior ones. Ventrals, sharply pointed 
 anteriorly and well rounded posteriorly, consisting of one 
 spinous and five branched rays, with four branchlets each ; 
 the shafts of the three first or anterior rays, reddish brown, 
 the fourth and fifth, transparent ; webs transparent. Pec- 
 torals, rounded, with eight branched rays of four branch- 
 lets each. 
 
 In specimens measuring three inches in length, which is a 
 fair average size for this species, the following relative meas- 
 urements are strictly correct : Body, highly arched, the first 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 53 
 
 spine of the dorsal springing a little anterior of the highest 
 point of the arch; ventrals placed in a line immediately below 
 the second spine of the dorsal ; vent, one-half the distance 
 from the base of the anal anteriorly, as it is to the posterior 
 base of the ventrals ; greatest depth of the fish, one and one- 
 eighth inches ; lieighth of the dorsal, three-quarters of an 
 inch ; length of the caudal, three-quarters of an inch ; width 
 of the same, when fully expanded, one inch ; dSpth of the 
 anal, three-quarters of an inch ; breadth of the same at the 
 base, five-eighths of an inch, and when fully expanded, one 
 and one-eighth inches from the tip of the first spinous ray to 
 the tip of the posterior branched ray ; distance from the end 
 of the jaws, when closed, to the centre of the eye, one- 
 quarter of an inch ; thickness of the body in its fullest part, 
 three-eighths of an inch. 
 
 Two distinct punctures placed in line upon the head, equi- 
 distant betwixt the eyes ; also four punctures, two on each 
 side of the head, placed laterally with each other, and in a 
 line with those betwixt the eyes. There are likewise two 
 punctures besides the above, one immediately above the 
 upper posterior edge of the irides, the other slightly below. 
 Pupil of the eye, bluish black; irides distinctly tinged 
 with red. 
 
 I have necessarily elaborated the specific characters of this 
 neAV species, in order to clearly show the grounds upon which 
 I base its distinction. 
 
 Amongst the interesting family of Leuciscadce-Dace , we 
 have seven species, which I introduce to your notice as more 
 or less suitable to our tanks, all of which are found in New 
 York State. This family includes some of the smallest and 
 most interesting fish our Fauna claims. When young, all 
 
 E* 
 
54 * THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. ' 
 
 can be used to ornament our miniature ponds. Throughout 
 the United States, of course there are other species in addi- 
 tion to the seven herein described, as there are of other 
 families ; but it is deemed best to confine our work to those 
 procurable in the vicinity of New York, but very few extra 
 ones being introduced, and these only when possessing 
 some remarkable or interesting feature to warrant their 
 introduction. 
 
 Leuciscus pygmceus. — Pigmy Dace. 
 
 The first of the Leuciscus claiming our attention is the 
 Leuciscus pygmceus , Pigmy Dace or Rock Fish. Although 
 one of the smallest of the Dace, its superior adaptability to 
 the Aquarium entitles it to precedence. The tenacity with 
 which it clings to life exceeds that of any known fish, not 
 even excepting the Gold Fish. As a slight instance of the 
 fact, I would state that on one occasion during the summer 
 months, whilst returning to the city with a large number of 
 these fish, I accidentally upset my can and lost all the water, 
 and had to carry them a mile before I could replenish it, and 
 although these little fish were carried a full mile without any 
 water, not a single one died. They love to ascend sluggish 
 streams to their source, and are usually found most plentiful 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQTjARIUM. 
 
 55 
 
 where the water is shallowest. They lie still in their native 
 streams, poising themselves almost motionless, and when 
 they espy their prey, dart with great swiftness to seize it. 
 They seem to be particularly fond of poising themselves in a 
 vertical oblique line, either pointing upwards or downwards. 
 In the tank they will freely eat the common house fly, 
 Musca domestic a, and common earth-worm, and will likewise 
 freely eat lean beef. 
 
 Dr. De Kay figures this species from specimens furnished 
 him by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, and must evidently 
 have done so from dead specimens, as that gentleman 
 describes them as having a lanceolate caudal or tail, whilst 
 they have most positively a fully developed and expanded 
 fan tail, which is beautifully^ rounded. If one of these fish be 
 taken from the water and held in the hand whilst alive, his 
 fan tail closes up and assumes a lanceolate ; this will explain 
 the error made by De Kay. Another proof of the value of 
 practical experience. The same author also describes them 
 as never exceeding an inch in length ; I have, during the last 
 four or five years, taken many hundreds four inches, and a 
 few four and one-half inches in length. They appear to be 
 extremely local in their habits, and are found in sluggish 
 streams where aquatic plants abound. 
 
 Specific Character : Body, oblong, rounded, having 
 
 the abdomen prominent ; head, depressed, scaly, upper jaw 
 shorter than the under ; mouth, small ; eyes, large and prom- 
 inent ; caudal, fan shaped, beautifully rounded ; general color, 
 varies greatly in individual specimens ; in several now before 
 me they are nearly black, whilst in others, also before me, 
 they are light cinnamon color ; if the shades of color vary, 
 however, the markings are generally the same ; sides of the 
 
56 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 body, marked with numerous lateral interrupted stripes of 
 dark brown, also with a distinct lateral stripe of light brown ; 
 a black stripe extends from the eye to the anterior upper 
 angle of the opercles ; a black ocellated spot divided into 
 two sections at the base of the caudal: this spot is sur- 
 rounded with a very light brown marking, rendering the 
 spot well defined ; all the fins diaphanous ; pupil of the eye, 
 black ; irides, light brown ; dorsal fin, rounded higher pos- 
 teriorly, twelve rays branched, first ray short, eighth ray 
 longest ; caudal, fan shaped, beautifully rounded, consisting 
 of twelve rays branched in fours ; anal fin, rounded, of eight 
 rays middle ones longest ; ventrals, five branched rays ; pec- 
 torals, six rays branched and rounded ; all the fins diapha- 
 nous ; shafts, dark brown. 
 
 Although preferring live food, such as small aquatic 
 insects, they will eat beef when cut in small bits. 
 
 Leuciscus atronasus . — Black Nosed Dace. 
 
 This species is also called the Striped Dace and Black 
 Striped Dace, they chiefly frequent clear running brooks and 
 trout streams. No fish excels this in symmetry and few in 
 beauty. I have observed a peculiarity in this fish which is 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 57 
 
 strongly defined, that is the remarkable revivifying effect 
 cold water has upon it. Most fish when they commence 
 swimming in an inverted position, reeling over and floating 
 upon the waters’ surface upon their sides, in consequence 
 of the high temperature of the water, cannot be revived even 
 if the water be wholly or partially changed ; indeed the re- 
 verse effect is usually the case, most species being injured 
 and many immediately killed by too sudden a change of the 
 temperature of the water ; not so however with the atronasus. 
 Cold water instantly revives this species and from experi- 
 ments I have made in this direction, I have found it an 
 almost infallible rule. 
 
 This species appears to be particularly fond of cold, clear 
 running brooks having gravelly beds, found usually with 
 Pomotis vulgaris , Catastoma pallidus , IPydrargia diaphana and 
 Astacus Bartonic. Many might say that the reason of this 
 species being revived so easily with cold water is accounted 
 for from the fact of its inhabiting, naturally, cold brooks, 
 such however cannot be its solution, because its companions 
 just mentioned are effected in just the reverse manner by a 
 sudden change of water. 
 
 The Black Nosed Dace do not attain their full beauty dur- 
 ing the first or second seasons, the red on the fins appearing 
 in only adult specimens, they attain a length of three to four 
 inches, rarely exceeding the same. 
 
 Specific Character: Body elongated and rounded, cau- 
 dal, deeply forked. General color, whole upper parts, rich 
 cinnamon brown, sometimes tinged with olive brown, back 
 and upper part of the sides marked with a few irregular 
 blotches of black, whole under parts, satin white. A very dis- 
 tinct and conspicuous lateral broad stripe from the extremity 
 
58 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 of the nose passes in a direct line through the lower half 
 of the eyes, thence to the centre of the base of the caudal, 
 this line is deep black, with another similar line running par- 
 allel with it of a light reddish brown color. A stripe of light 
 cinnamon along the dorsal ridge. Eyes full and prominent, 
 the pupils black, irides, light brown. Dorsal, dark brown, 
 with eight rays. Caudal, dark brown, nineteen rays. Anal, 
 higher than long. Ventrals, bright orange, eight rays. 
 Pectorals, bright orange, fifteen rays. In the younger speci- 
 mens the orange color of the fins are wanting, and the whole 
 colors are less brilliant. 
 
 This is a very common species, called in some localities 
 Silver Roach, they abound in most of the smaller streams of 
 this State and when fully grown attain a length of ten or 
 twelve inches ; they are well adapted to the Aquarium. In 
 some special localities of New Jersey they are universally 
 sprinkled over with small black dots. In the tributaries of 
 the Passaic I have taken particularly large specimens of this 
 fish, baiting with the common earth worm. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 59 
 
 Specific Character : Body elongated and compressed. 
 Head with a series of mucous pores. Caudal, deeply emar- 
 ginate, almost furcate. General color, whole upper parts 
 silver white, tinged with blue on the back and upper portion 
 of the sides. Pupil of the eye, black, encircled with a rather 
 large luminous silver ring. Dorsal fin, quadrate with eight 
 rays. Caudal, nineteen rays. Anal, nine rays, the second 
 and third anterior ones longest. Yentrals, ten rays. Pec- 
 torals small and slender, sixteen rays. Yentrals in a line 
 below the dorsal. Head smooth and flattened above. All 
 the lower fins beautifully tinged with orange red. 
 
 Leuciscus vittcitus . — Banded Pace.— (De Kay.) 
 
 This is one of the best fish we have for the Aquarium, 
 when small they are well adapted, being hardy, lively and 
 handsome. They are much easier kept than the atronasus to 
 which they are allied. In the Mohawk and tributaries they 
 are very numerous, being gregarious in their habits. They 
 are also numerous in the River Bronx, Westchester County, 
 and indeed in many other streams in our vicinity. 
 
60 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Specific Character : Body, sub-cylindrical, tapering ; 
 
 head, flattened above ; mouth, small, scaleless, and having a 
 series of mucous pores; eyes, large; pupils of the same, 
 black ; irides, light brown ; dorsal, with a golden dorsal 
 stripe extending to the tail ; upper part of the body, olive 
 green ; sides of the body with a conspicuous black stripe 
 extending from the extremity of the head, to the base of the 
 caudal, immediately above which is a yellow stripe parallel 
 with it ; abdomen silvery white, more or less tinged with 
 salmon color ; fins, pale yellowish ; dorsal fin, quadrate higher 
 than long, of nine rays, the first simple, second longest; 
 caudal, deeply forked, nineteen rays ; anal, rounded, eight 
 rays ; ventrals, eight rays ; pectorals, fifteen rays. 
 
 Leuciscus atromaculatus . — Black Headed Dace. — {Mitchell.) 
 
 This is a very beautiful fish, and very common in the 
 northern part of the State of New York. They attain a 
 length of ten to twelve inches. 
 
 Specific Character : General form of the Leuciscidcc , 
 
 except that the back is slightly depressed, anterior to the 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 61 
 
 dorsal fin, and the mouth is larger than most of the Dace ; 
 general color, upper part of the body dark olive green, hav- 
 ing a broad lateral band of a darker hue extending from the 
 opercles to the caudal ; sides of the body, rich golden yellow, 
 shading into silvery white on the under parts ; head, deep 
 brownish black ; lips, fleshy ; opercles lustrous ; pupil of the 
 eye, black ; irides, rich golden yellow ; dorsal, rounded with 
 nine rays and having a black spot near the base of the ante- 
 rior ones ; caudal, eighteen rays, branched in fives ; anal, nine 
 rays, light orange $ ventrals, eight rays, light orange $ pec- 
 torals, fifteen rays, light orange. 
 
 Leuciscus Hudsonius . — Spawn Eater. — (De Witt Clinton.) 
 
 s 
 
 Its name illustrates its habits ; its beauty strongly recom- 
 mends it to us for the Aquarium, but it should be kept alone, 
 or at least should never be kept with smaller fish. It is a 
 common species in the Hudson and many of its tributaries. 
 
 Specific Character: General color, brownish, darkest 
 
 on the back ; a lateral broad lustrous silvery band extends 
 
 F 
 
62 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 from the opercles to the base of the caudal, at which termina- 
 tion is a deep black conspicuous ocellated spot ; pupils, 
 black ; irides, silvery white ; two or three irregular shaped 
 black spots betwixt the eyes and the extremity of the head ; 
 dorsal, eight branched rays, the anterior one longest ; caudal, 
 ninteen rays ; anal, rounded ; ventfals, eight rays, one simple 
 and seven branched ; pectorals, pointed, fifteen rays ; opercles, 
 silvery, length six inches. 
 
 Leuciscus cornutus . — Horned Dace. — {Mitchell.) 
 
 This fish is more commonly known as the Red Fin. But 
 few of our fluvial fishes excels this for beauty of marking or 
 brilliancy of coloring. Many who read this can recall to 
 mind reminiscensces of their boyish days, when at the old 
 mill dam they have spent many hours of pleasure, catching 
 the handsome red-fin ; how patiently have they looked down 
 into the pure stream in whose limpid waters these fish might 
 be seen lying close to the rocky bottom, looking with a 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 63 
 
 desiring yet distrustful eye upon the bait lowered down to 
 allure them. Patiently has the young sportsman waited, 
 buoyed up with eager hope, again almost despairing, lest his 
 wished for prize would not yield to the tempting allurement 
 of the bait ; when at last this cunning fish yields to the temp- 
 tation, darting suddenly at it, with what eagerness does he 
 quickly raise it from the water, and with what admiration 
 does he gaze upon its beautiful hues, more especially its crim- 
 son fins, that fairly glisten with vivid beauty in the rays 
 of the sun. 
 
 They are esteemed as an article of food, and take the bait 
 more readily immediately after a good shower of rain. As a 
 general thing they are easiest taken with the hook early 
 in spring. 
 
 Specific Character : Length, six to seven inches. Gen- 
 eral color, upper part rich blackish brown, with beautiful 
 metallic reflections. Sides of the body, brilliant cupreous. 
 Opercles, bright bronze gold color, tinged on the lower por- 
 tion with deep crimson. Head furnished with a number of 
 minute horns or protuberances of a tuberculous character, 
 which are peculiar to this species, and suggested its name, 
 cornutus-horned. Dorsal, dark brown, eight rays. Caudal, 
 slightly emarginate, dark brown. Anal, nine rays. Ventrals, 
 eight rays. Pectorals at the base, deep crimson, having 
 fifteen rays. All the fins conspicuously margined with deep 
 
 crimson. 
 
64 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Abraxnis versicolor . — Bream. — (De Kay.) 
 
 This fish is known by numerous local names, such as 
 Variegated Bream, Yellow-bellied Perch, Dace, Wind Fish and 
 others. Why it ever received the name of Yellow-bellied 
 Perch is not easily accounted for, as it has no character in 
 common with the Perch ; it might, however, be mistaken for 
 a Dace. It received the odd name of Wind Fish, from the 
 fact that during very windy weather when the surface of the 
 water is considerably ruffled, these fish may be seen in hun- 
 dreds, playfully gamboling on the surface. It attains a length 
 of seven inches and is numerous in many of the streams on 
 the eastern end of Long Island, also in the Hudson and 
 several of its tributaries. They are esteemed as an article 
 of food. 
 
 Specific Character : Upper part of the head, deep brown- 
 ish black ; upper part of the body, silvery with metallic green 
 and blue reflections, lower part of the same, golden. Pupils, 
 black, irides, yellow. Caudal, nineteen rays. Anal, tinged 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 65 
 
 with yellow, fourteen rays, one simple and thirteen branched. 
 Ventrals, deep orange, nine rays. Pectorals, dull yellow, 
 fourteen rays. Lateral line low and sharply curved down- 
 wards, the curve ascending from a line midway betwixt the 
 ventrals and the anal fins, thence parallel with the lower line 
 of the abdomen to its termination at the base of the caudal. 
 
 Stilbe chrysoleucas. — Golden Dace. — {Mitchell.) 
 
 This species is also called the New York Shiner. But 
 little is known of this beautiful fish. I have taken a few of 
 them in the Croton River, eight to ten inches, but this is an 
 unusual size, six inches being an average size, the specimens 
 I obtained in that river were more golden than usually found. 
 I placed some fine specimens of this fish in the Aquaria of the 
 American Museum, where they remained for a long time. 
 
 Specific Character : Upper part of the head, dark brown, 
 with metallic green betwixt the eyes. Head very small. 
 Upper part of the body, greenish yellow, sides pale gold, 
 tinged with silver. Eyes, large and prominent. Dorsal, ten 
 rays, the first short, but just protruding, second and third, 
 
66 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 progressively longer, the fourth, longest. Caudal, nineteen 
 rays. Yentrals, ten rays, faint orange. Pectorals, fifteen 
 rays, pale orange. Pupils, black; hides, pale yellow. Lat- 
 eral line descending with a curve to a line with the ventrals ; 
 then the curve ascends parallel with the abdomen, terminating 
 at the base of the caudal. This lateral line is placed rather 
 low on the sides of the body, in a similar way to that in the 
 Abramis versicolor. 
 
 Bciione fontanalis. — Pigmy Trout.- — (De Kay.) 
 
 This is one of our smallest fluvial fishes, seldom exceeding 
 two inches in length. They frequent deep springs in Rock- 
 land, Orange and other counties in this State, where it is 
 commonly known as the Trout Pig. 
 
 Specific Character : Body, slender, elongated. Eyes, 
 large orbits surrounded by a series of mucous pores. General 
 color, upper part of the body, blackish brown, sides of the 
 body, silvery, with seven or eight black vertical bands, lat- 
 eral line distinct, slightly curved downwards. Dorsal, in two 
 parts, mottled with dark brown. Caudal, emarginate, nine- 
 teen rays. Anal, quadrate, nine rays. Yentrals, seven rays, 
 one simple and six branched. Pectorals, twelve rays. All 
 the fins, except the dorsal, tinged with orange on their outer 
 margins. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 67 
 
 Boleosoma tessellatum. — Tessellated Darter. — ( DeKay .) 
 
 This is another small fish, remarkable for its development 
 of fins ; the accompanying figure represents its adult size. 
 Their habits are peculiar, they love to lie on the pebbly bot- 
 tom of clear springs, perfectly motionless, awaiting their 
 prey, which they seize with wondrous velocity, darting sud- 
 denly at them ; this habit suggesting their name. If intended 
 for the Aquarium, they should be handled with great care, as 
 they are very tender, but live w^ell after being properly accli- 
 mated to the tank. Length, two and a half to three inches. 
 
 Specific Character : Head prominent, body rounded, 
 elongated. Caudal, rounded. Dorsals, largely developed. 
 General color, olive brown, with five to seven oblong quad- 
 rate black spots on the dorsal line. Sides of the body, with 
 a series of seven to nine black spots, forming a conspicuous 
 interrupted lateral band. Dorsals, two. Anterior dorsal, 
 nine spinous rays ; posterior dorsal, fourteen branched rays, 
 having the shafts of the same dotted with black. Caudal, 
 seventeen rays, rigid, forming a powerful instrument. Anal, 
 
68 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 eighteen rays. Ventrals, six rays, one simple and five 
 branched. Pectorals, thirteen rays. All the fins pellucid. 
 Pupils, black ; hides, brownish. 
 
 Lebias ovinus . — Sheep’s Head Lebias. — {Mitchell.) 
 
 This is a marine fish, frequenting brackish waters during 
 the spawning season, but I introduce it here because it can 
 readily be acclimated to the Fluvial Aquarium, and is desira- 
 ble on account of its small size, activity and brilliancy 
 of coloring. Of all the fishes found in this latitude, none 
 excel this little gem for brilliancy of hues 5 clothed in a rain- 
 bow robe of metallic colors, he may be seen full of his lively 
 gambols, now basking in the rays of the summers’ sun, or 
 playfully leaping above the waters’ surface, and suddenly dis- 
 appearing when disturbed. They are easily obtained during 
 the spring months, frequenting at that season the brackish 
 waters of the numerous inlets of our coast, and will live well 
 in a fresh water tank if properly acclimated to the change. 
 Should you desire to introduce them into your Aquarium, if 
 just taken from their native waters, it should be done gradually, 
 by keeping them in the same water, gradually reducing it from 
 day to day by adding fresh water to it, and in a weeks’ time 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 69 
 
 your Lebias can safely be introduced into the pure water of 
 your Aquarium. The above figure represents an adult speci- 
 men of this fish. 
 
 Specific Character: Body, considerably resembling the 
 Pomotis , being elliptical and compressed. General color, 
 upper parts, dark metallic green, with numerous interrupted 
 bars on the sides, running vertically. In the male, the throat 
 and anterior lower parts are bright rufous. Sides of the body 
 tinged with metallic blue. Pupils, black ; irides, yellow. 
 Fins, light brown, the caudal transparent at its extremity. 
 Dorsal, eleven rays. Caudal, fifteen rays, even at the end 
 and very short. Anal, ten rays. Yentrals, seven rays. 
 Pectorals, fifteen rays. 
 
 TJranidea quiescens . — Little Star Gazer. — (De Kay.) 
 
 Never having met with this species, I introduce it here 
 on the authority of Dr. De Kay, the figure and main features 
 of his description I quote. “At present they are only known 
 to inhabit Round and Pleasant Lakes, Herkimer County, 
 New York. Its small size and peculiarity of form indicate 
 
70 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 it would be a desirable addition to our Fluvial Aquarium, but 
 I am unable to speak from experience of its adaptability to 
 the same. The peculiar habit they have of lying at the bottom 
 of the lake perfectly still, with their head twisted as it were, 
 looking upwards, is peculiar to this species, and suggested its 
 name.” 
 
 Specific Character: General color, olive brown, mixed 
 with indistinct dark irregular spots. Head darker than the 
 body. Lower parts nearly white. Dorsal, two ; anterior 
 dorsal, seven simple spinous rays ; posterior, dorsal, sixteen 
 slender rays. Caudal, thirteen rays, tinged with orange. 
 Anal, thirteen rays. Pectorals, ten rays, tinged with orange. 
 Yentrals, very elongated, three slender rays. Eyes, large. 
 
 Catastomus pallidus. — Pale Sucker. — {Be Kay' 
 
 This common species has nothing of worth to recommend 
 them to us ; as far as my experience goes, they will not feed 
 in the Aquarium. They frequent running brooks in company 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 71 
 
 with the Leuciscus atronasus , Sahno fontanalis , Poinotis vulgaris , 
 and Hydrargia diaphana. 
 
 Specific Character : Head, dark green, with metallic 
 reflections on the cheeks. Back, pale bluish, intermixed with 
 light yellow on the sides of the same. Under parts, white. 
 Pupil of the eye, black ; irides, yellow. Dorsal, thirteen rays, 
 dark brown, tinged with yellow. Caudal, eighteen rays, 
 same color as the dorsal. Anal, eight rays, slightly tinged 
 with yellow. Ventrals, nine rays, rich orange. Pectorals, 
 sixteen rays, rich bronze. 
 
 Catastomus tuberculatus — Horned Sucker. 
 
 This species inhabits running streams in the interior of the 
 States of New York and New Jersey, and is commonly called 
 Barbel, Horned Dace and Horned Sucker. Their greatest 
 length is nine to ten inches. 
 
 Specific Character : Head, dark olive green ; back and 
 
 sides, green with rich purple and gold reflections ; flanks 
 tinged with yellow ; abdomen, pale yellow, slightly tinged 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 r 
 
 72 
 
 with flesh color ; scales diamond shape ; dorsal, fifteen rays, 
 light brown ; caudal, ninteen rays, pale olive brown ; anal fin, 
 ten rays, dark dingy brown ; ventrals, eight rays, light olive ; 
 pectorals, sixteen rays, their base flesh colored ; betwixt the 
 eyes and the extremity of the head are from three to five 
 circular tubercules, hence its name. 
 
 Labeo oblongus. — Brilliant Chubsucker. — (Mitchell) 
 
 This handsome species I have found comparatively rare, 
 but have occasionally taken them in the tributaries of the 
 Passaic, New Jersey. Very common in the Susquehanna 
 and other interior streams of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Specific Character : Upper part of the body, dark olive 
 
 green, shading into light cinnamon along the sides of the 
 same ; under parts, light cinnamon ; a dorsal line of light cin- 
 namon along the top of the back, and a pale lateral stripe 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 73 
 
 along the sides ; this lateral stripe is often indistinct, a fine 
 specimen now before me has but the slightest indication of it ; 
 sides of the head, greenish blue of metallic lustre ; dorsal, 
 high, one simple and twelve branched rays, the upper half 
 of the branched rays divided into eight branchlets each ; 
 shafts of the dorsal fin, cinnamon, webs, olive brown ; caudal, 
 emarginate, ninteen rays branched as in the dorsal ; anal, 
 pointed obtusely in the centre, eight rays of eight branchlets 
 each, the middle rays longest, the shafts cinnamon tinged 
 with red ; pectorals, thirteen rays branched in fours, bright 
 red, slightly clouded towards the tip ; webs of the caudal, 
 dark olive brown, shafts, cinnamon. This handsome fish 
 attains to a length of ten to twelve inches. 
 
 This is also a beautiful species, as indeed are all the Labeo , 
 but they are a Genera as yet but little known. This fish is 
 quite numerous in the waters of the interior of this State, 
 
 and attain to nearly the same size as the oblongus . 
 
 G 
 
74 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Specific Character : Body, deep and rounded ; caudal, 
 
 emarginate ; anal fin, largely developed ; general color : head, 
 bright green, body, bluish above, under parts nearly white, 
 slightly tinged with pink near the abdomen ; opercles, gol- 
 den ; dorsal, twelve articulated rays, nearly quadrate ; caudal, 
 seventeen rays, tinged with rose red ; anal, long; eight rays ; 
 ventrals, nine rays ; pectorals, fifteen rays, placed low oh 
 the body. 
 
 They frequent similar localities to the Ccitastoma tuberculatus , 
 but are rare in the immediate vicinity of the City of 
 New York. 
 
 Labeo gibbosus . — Gibbous Chubsucker. 
 
 This is likewise a numerous species in the interior and 
 northern portion of this State. They attain a length of eight 
 or nine inches and are one of the handsomest fish we have. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 75 
 
 Specific Character : Upper part of the body, dark blue 
 
 witli gold reflections, four or five dark vertical bands across 
 the back ; dorsal quadrate, bluish green, seventeen rays ; cau- 
 dal, eighteen rays tinged with brilliant carmine and violet $ 
 anal fin, deeply emarginate, almost furcate, tinged with 
 orange, consisting of nine rays ; ventrals, nine rays, reddish 
 orange $ pectorals, sixteen rays, reddish orange. 
 
 The next claiming our notice are the Pimelodus , Cat Fish ; 
 of this Geqera we have three species found in this latitude, 
 all of which are adapted to the Aquarium, when young. 
 
 This is the smallest of the three species, rarely exceeding 
 four to five inches in length. This is one of the species 
 Capt. Mortimer and myself have introduced into private 
 ponds in England ; with what success they will become 
 acclimated, time alone can determine. 
 
76 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Specific Character : General color, deep black, fading 
 
 into ash color beneath ; dorsal, one acute spine and six soft 
 rays ; adipose dorsal, long and slender ; caudal, seventeen 
 rays, slightly emarginate, with the ends of the webs rounded ; 
 anal, long, twenty rays ; ventrals, eight rays, small and 
 feeble, the first one spinous ; pectorals, one spinous and seven 
 branched rays. This species will breed in confinement, in 
 the Aquarium. 
 
 Pimelodus pullus . — Brown Cat Fish. — (De Kay.) 
 
 This is the largest species of the three, attaining a length 
 of thirteen or fourteen inches, sometimes even exceeding 
 this. 
 
 Specific Character : General color, dark brown, bluish 
 white beneath. Fins, black, tinged with red. Pupil of the 
 eye, black ; irides, as in the other species, clear pearly white. 
 Eyes, small, as in all the Pimelodus . Dorsal, one stiff acute 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 77 
 
 spine serrated on its posterior edge, and five soft rays. Cau- 
 dal, slightly emarginate, of nineteen rays. Anal, long, 
 seventeen rays. Ventrals, eight rays. Pectorals set low, 
 one sharp spine and seven other rays. 
 
 Pimelodus catus . — Common Cat Fish. — ( Linnceus .) 
 
 This species attains a length of eight to ten inches. 
 
 Specific Character : Head darker than the body, cheeks 
 tinged with olive green, back and sides, dusky brown, 
 lighter beneath. Pupils, black ; irides, clear white. Fins, 
 dusky. Dorsal fin, one spinous and six soft rays. Caudal, 
 rounded, nineteen rays. Yentrals, eight rays. Pectorals, 
 feeble, with one serrated spine and nine thickly crowded 
 articulated rays. 
 
 G* 
 
78 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Anguilla tenuirostris . — Common Eel. — (De Kay.) 
 
 This very common species is universally known, they 
 attain a length of two to even three feet. If introduced into 
 the Aquarium, the smaller they are the better, as they are 
 destructive to other fish when they are large. 
 
 Specific Character: Head, small, tapering to the jaws. 
 Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins united in one, consisting of three 
 hundred and twenty to three hundred and forty rays. Ven- 
 trals, wanting. Pectorals, small, sixteen rays. Eyes, small. 
 Lateral line, straight, but indistinct. Lower jaw longest. 
 
 Ammoccetus unicolor.— Plain Mud Lamprey Eel. — (De Kay.) 
 
 This and the following species are introduced, on account 
 of their small size, the representations being life size. They 
 are. numerous in the interior of our State. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 79 
 
 Specific Character : Upper parts, dusky brown, lightest 
 beneath, anterior part of the head darkest. Dorsal and 
 caudal united. 
 
 Peteromyxon appendix . — Small Lamprey. — (Be Kay.) 
 
 Specific Character : Length, six inches. General color, 
 dark lead, lighter beneath. Fins, light amber. Dorsal apd 
 caudal united. Anal, small, with a thread-like appendage to 
 its anterior margin. 
 
 Of Genus Gasterosteus-SticMebaclcs we have four species, 
 found in the vicinity of New York ; they are all suited to the 
 Aquarium and are the only fish, except the Pimelodus , that 
 will propogate therein. They have received the name of 
 Sticklebacks from the fact of their backs being armed with 
 acute rigid spines. 
 
 The upiale Stickleback constructs a nest of refuse vegetation, 
 having an entrance at either end, he industriously collects 
 
80 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 the materials and cements it together by means of a gluten 
 he exudes. In the Aquaria I have placed many pairs of 
 these during the last four years, which have built their nests 
 and reared their progeny. Much has been written on the 
 loves of birds, poetry and song hath immortalized the theme, 
 still nothing of the kind has appeared in regard to fishes. 
 Still we have many evidences of conjugal love and paternal 
 affection even amongst fish, and none display it more strik- 
 ingly than the little Sticklebacks. During the season of love, 
 the male assumes a special garb of richest colors, as if for the 
 occasion, for at other seasons these brilliant hues disappear ? at 
 this nuptial period the whole under part of the Gasterosteus 
 biaculeatus becomes the deepest crimson, whilst the upper parts 
 are bright light blue ; and small and insignificant as they 
 appear, they are masters of their locality, then spirited bra- 
 very, being analagous to that of the Tyrannous intrepidus 
 amongst birds.. 
 
 The male Stickleback performs all the maternal and pater- 
 nal offices, except the deposit of the spawn. Although this 
 may be at variance with other writers’ statements, yet it is 
 nevertheless a fact, as I have had many excellent opportuni- 
 ties of occular proof. 
 
 The male constructs the nest in the first place, and after 
 the spawn is deposited by the female, he impregnates it, and 
 stands guard over it until the young appear, which usually 
 occurs in about eighteen days. When they first appear, his 
 vigilance and solicitude are redoubled, and for the first few 
 days does not even allow the young to ramble from the nest, 
 should any, however, succeed in eluding his watchfulness' and 
 escape from the immediate confines of the same, he instantly 
 seizes them in his mouth, carries them back, and gently, as 
 
fllE ’ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 81 
 
 it were, blows them into the nest. After a few days, how- 
 ever, he allows them to roam, whither they choose. The 
 female should then be taken from the tank, or else she will de- 
 stroy the young fry. At this time the brilliant hues of the male 
 gradually disappears, and in a short time he assumes his sil- 
 very metallic garb as before. 
 
 In the fens of Lincolnshire, England, the Sticklebacks are 
 so numerous, the farmers use them for manure. 
 
 Gasterosteus biaculeatus . — Two Spined Stickleback. 
 
 This interesting fish, although the largest species of the 
 genus found in this latitude, is only two to two and one- 
 half inches in length. The figure above represents its adult 
 size. They frequent brackish and even fresh waters, and 
 during the spring months, which is their spawning season, 
 are quite numerous. I have many times taken them in the 
 marsh inlets of the shores of Long Island and New Jersey, 
 when I had to break holes in the ice ; the males usually 
 assume the nuptial garb (before spoken of) about the middle 
 of March, and it disappears after the spawning season passes. 
 
82 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM 
 
 All the Gasterosteus will thrive well in either a marine or 
 fluvial Aquarium, but one thing is certain, the biaculeatus 
 should never be kept in a tank with smaller fish ; they are 
 perfect tyrants, annoy all their companions, continually hunt- 
 ing the smaller fish, and as often as possible nipping their 
 fins ; but whilst they annoy small fish in this manner, they 
 do not appear materially to molest large ones. 
 
 Specific Character : Upper part of the body, rich olive 
 
 green tinted with yellowish shades, and irregularly marked 
 with irregular shaped dark blotches ; sides of the body and 
 under parts, metallic white, the sides considerably sprinkled 
 over with minute black dots ; pupils, black ; irides, silvery 
 slightly tinged with yellowish orange; sides of the body 
 mailed with thirty vertical plates, the first commencing in a 
 line directly above the pectorals, these plates extend two- 
 thirds down the sides of the body ; ventral plate, lanceolate 
 posteriorly ; a faint lateral line, rather high, extending to the 
 base of the caudal ; dorsal, armed with two long acute spines 
 anterior to the fin ; dorsal fin, one short spine and eleven 
 simple rays, upper margin of the fin even, webs transparent ; 
 caudal fin, small, twelve branched rays ; anal, one short spi- 
 nous ray slightly curved, and eight transparent branched 
 rays ; ventrals, wanting, but with two sharp long spines in 
 their place, these spines have their anterior margins smooth, 
 posterior serrated, with two small spinous processes at their 
 base, anterior side of the spines, bright orange for two-thirds 
 of their length ; pectorals, ten transparent rays. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 83 
 
 Gasterosteus neoboracensis . New York Stickleback. (DeKay.) 
 
 The New York or Three SpinM Stickleback, is closely 
 allied to the Gasterosteus trachurus , or Three Spined Stickle- 
 back of Europe. Habits and character of this species similar 
 to the biaculeatus. 
 
 Specific Character : Length, two to two and one-quarter 
 inches ; eyes, large ; general color, upper part of the body 
 bluish slate, shading into silvery white on the sides, and 
 under part of the body ; dorsal, with three acute spines ante- 
 rior to the fin; dorsal fin, even, one spinous and thirteen 
 simple rays ; caudal emarginate, small, thirteen slender rays ; 
 anal, with one curved acute anterior spine, and twelve 
 branched rays, fin slightly emarginate ; ventrals, wanting, 
 represented by two long acute stiff spines, having their pos- 
 terior edge serrated ; pectorals, small and feeble, with eleven 
 rays. The above figure represents the adult size. 
 
84 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Gasterosteus occidentals — TeN or Many Spined Stickle- 
 backs. — (De Kay.) 
 
 This species differs much in form from either the biaculeatus 
 or the neoboracensis , the body being more elongated, much 
 more slender, and tapering towards the posterior extremities 
 very greatly. Their habits differ too from those species, as 
 this one can be kept with impunity amongst small fish, 
 agreeing well with Them ; they usually ascend higher up the 
 fresh water streams th£n either of the above mentioned 
 species. 
 
 Specific Character: Length, one and a half to two 
 inches. Body, long and slender. Upper part of the body, 
 dark brown, variegated by dark blotches. Lower part of the 
 body, silvery white. Lateral line slightly curved, very fine 
 but distinct. Pupils, black ; * irides, bright reddish brown. 
 Head small, elongated; eyes, prominent. Dorsal with ten, 
 sometimes only nine small acute spines, anterior to the fin, 
 these spines are set alternately right and left. Back, with 
 metallic green reflections. Dorsal fin, one stiff spine and 
 seven soft branched rays. Caudal, thirteen branched rays. 
 Anal, one stiff acute spine and eight branched rays. Ven- 
 trals wanting. Ventral spine, acute. Pectorals well devel- 
 oped, eleven branched rays. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 85 
 
 Gasterosteus quadracus. Four Spined Stickleback. (Mitchell.) 
 
 This is the smallest of the four species herein mentioned, 
 and ascends the fresh water streams higher than any of the 
 others ; they are excellently well adapted to the Aquarium, 
 in fact are preferable in this respect to either of the other 
 species. They seldom, if ever, exceed two inches and 
 a quarter in length, usually averaging about an inch and three- * 
 quarters. 
 
 Specific Character: Body, deeper than the occidentalism 
 but equally attenuated at the base of the caudal. General 
 color varies considerably ; usually they are olive green, mot- 
 tled with dusky brown on the upper parts, lower parts silvery. 
 From three to four spines on the dorsal, (usually four,) ante- 
 rior to the fin; dorsal fin, one spinous and twelve articulated rays. 
 Caudal, thirteen slender rays. Anal, with one recurved acute 
 spine and ten soft rays. Y entrals wanting. V entral spines with 
 their upper half deep red. Pectorals, small and feeble, twelve 
 slender rays. Dorsal spines set alternate, the first or anterior 
 one in a direct line over the ventral spines. Lateral line 
 extends from a point parallel with the eye, then slightly 
 ascends, then descends with a considerable curve, again 
 rising towards the caudal, thus forming a waved line. Below 
 the lateral line the sides of thq body are marked with 
 abbreviated blackish bands formed of innumerable minute 
 black dots. 
 
 H 
 
86 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Storer describes another American species having seven 
 dorsal spines, which frequents the fresh waters of the State 
 of Maine, this he has named the Gasterosteus mainensis. 
 
 Hydrargia diaphana . — Transparent Minnow. 
 
 This is the only species of minnow acceptable to the Aqua- 
 rium ; it is exclusively a fresh water species, frequenting trout 
 streams, and usually found in company with the Leuciscus 
 cornutuSj atronasus, Pomotis vulgaris, appendix and other fluvial 
 fishes. In the Aquarium this species never interferes with 
 their companions, unlike the salt water minnows, presently 
 to be noticed. 
 
 Specific Character : Head flattened above, body elon- 
 gated and diaphanous. General color, upper part of the 
 body, greenish olive, under parts, nearly white, sides with 
 sixteen vertical bands, inconspicuous; opercles tinged with 
 brilliant metallic blue and green. Eyes, large and prominent. 
 Pupils, black ; irides, silvery, with an interior golden ring 
 immediately surrounding the pupils. Dorsal situated poste- 
 riorly, of thirteen rays. * Caudal, even, eighteen branched 
 rays. Anal, small, being only half the size of the dorsal, of 
 twelve branched rays. Ventrals, slightly developed, pointed, 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 87 
 
 of six rays. Pectorals, rounded, eighteen rays. In some 
 localities I have found this species more or less sprinkled 
 with small black dots. Length, two to. three inches. 
 
 Two other species of Ilydrargia are described by Dr. De 
 Kay, both of which are numerous in the fresh waters of the 
 northern part of the State offNew York, viz : 
 
 First, the Hydrargia atricada (De Kay), Champlain Min- 
 now, common in Lake Champlain and its tributaries. 
 
 Second, the Hydrargia multifasciata (De Kay), Many Barred 
 Minnow ; inhabits Saratoga Lake, etc., and is quite numerous. 
 
 These species, having no peculiarities of color or form to 
 recommend them to us, and not being found within the envi- 
 rons of New York, it is unnecessary further to notice them. 
 
 The salt water minnows are included under Genus Fundulus , 
 but none of them can be kept with other fish, as they con- 
 stantly annoy them. They will, however, live very well in 
 fresh water, as they naturally frequent brackish and even 
 pure waters. The species found in our Bay and inlets are : 
 
 First, the Fundulus viridescens , or Big Killifish. 
 
 Second, the Fundulus zebra , or Barred Killifish. 
 
 Third, the Fundidus fasciatus , or Striped Killifish. 
 
 Many other species of fluvial fishes are found in various 
 localities of the Union suited to the Aquarium, but the forty- 
 four species figured and described in this chapter embrace all 
 those found within a circuit of twenty-five or thirty miles of 
 the City of New York. This number affords ample variety 
 for all our purposes, and includes many that are but little 
 known to the general public. Amongst those enumerated 
 are a few that cannot be obtained within the limits pre- 
 scribed above, such as the Uranidea quiescens Little Star 
 Gazer (page 69), and the Lepisosteus bison , Buffalo Bony Pike 
 
88 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 4 
 
 or Alligator Gar (page 37). These extra species are intro- 
 duced for their peculiar character of structure or prepos- 
 sessing appearance. 
 
 With this brief explanatory remark we close the outline of 
 the fluvial fishes adapted to the Aquarium. 
 
 The following is a synopsis of the various authenticated 
 species of fluvial fishes native in the United States, east of 
 the Mississippi River. Many of these are suited to the 
 Aquarium, but not being found within our limits have not 
 been introduced in the preceding chapter. 
 
 Order First 
 
 SPINE RAYED FISH. 
 
 FAMILY PERCIDiE. 
 
 Genus Perea . — Percil 
 
 Of this Genus I have introduced two species for the Aqua- 
 rium, on pages 39 and 41, the remaining American species 
 are, viz : 
 
 Perea Granulata , {Cuvier.) Rough Headed Yellow Perch. 
 Cuvier says he received it from the State of New 
 York, particular locality not given. 
 
 Perea acuta, {Cuvier.) Sharp Nosed Yellow Perch. Lake 
 Ontario. 
 
 Perea gracilis , {Cuvier.) Slender Yellow Perch. Skeneatelas 
 Lake, New York. This is a small species and would 
 be an acquisition to the Aquarium. 
 
 Perea nebulosa , {Haldeman.) This is a very small species, 
 described by the author as only two inches in length, 
 discovered in the Susquehanna. 
 
 Perea minima , {Haldeman.) The same remarks are applicable 
 to this species. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 89 
 
 Genus Labrax . — Bass. 
 
 Of the native Bass, found in fresh water, I have introduced 
 two species appropriate to the fluvial Aquarium ; see pages 42 
 and 48. The other American fresh water Bass are as follows : 
 Labrax albidus , ( De Iiay.) White Lake Bass. Lake Erie. 
 Labrax notatus , ( Richardson .) Ten Spotted Bass. St. Law- 
 rence River. 
 
 Labrax multilineatus , {Cuvier.) Many Striped Bass. Wabash 
 River, Indiana. 
 
 Genus Aphredoderus. — Spineless Perch. 
 
 But one American species is included in this Genus, this 
 is the one described on page 44. 
 
 , Genus Huro. 
 
 Of this Genus but one species is known, the 
 Huron nigricans , {Cuvier.) The Black Huron. Lake Huron. 
 
 Genus Boleosoma. 
 
 Of this Genus one species is described on page 67. 
 
 Genus Leucioperca . — Pike Perch. 
 
 Leucioperca americana , ( Cuvier ,) Yellow Pike Perch or Pike, 
 found in the lakes of the interior part of New York. 
 Leucioperca grisea , (. DeKay ), Gray Pike Perch ; same localities. 
 Leucioperca canadensis , {Griffith's Cuvier) , Canada Pike Perch ; 
 River St. Lawrence. 
 
 Genus Centrcfrchus. 
 
 Of the Centrarclius , one species is quoted for the Aquarium. 
 Two other species of this Genus are found in the Northern 
 
90 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 part of the State ; the rest of the American species are con- 
 fined to the Southern and Western States. Our species 
 quoted is the : 
 
 Centrarchus ceneus, Common Fresh Water Bass. Page 45. 
 
 The other New York species are the : 
 
 Centrarchus fasciatus , Black Fresh Water Bass 5 lakes of 
 Western New York. 
 
 Centrarchus obscurus , { JDe Kay.) Obscure Fresh Water Bass; 
 Onondaga Lake. 
 
 The Southern and Western species*are as follows : 
 
 Centrarchus pentacanthus , {Cuvier.) Wabash River, Indiana. 
 Centrarchus hexacanthus , {Cuvier.) Wabash River, Indiana. 
 Centrarchus sparvides , {Cuvier.) South Carolina. 
 
 Centrarchus irideus , {Cuvier.) South Carolina. ^ 
 
 Centrarchus gulosus , {Cuvier.) South Carolina and Mississippi. 
 Centrarchus virides , {Cuvier.) Carolinas. 
 
 Genus Pomotis. — Pond Fish. 
 
 Of the Pomotis, three species are figured in the foregoing 
 pages ; the rest of the American species are all found farther 
 south. 
 
 Pomotis ravaneli , {Cuvier.) South Carolina. 
 
 Pomotis holbroolci, {Cuvier.) South Carolina 
 Pomotis incisor , {Cuvier.) New Orleans. 
 
 Pomotis gibbosus, {Cuvier.) Charleston, S. C. 
 
 Pomotis solis , {Cuvier.) New Orleans and New Jersey. 
 
 Pomotis catesbei, {Cuvier.) ^Philadelphia. 
 
 These species are all undoubtedly adapted to the Aquarium. 
 Closely allied to the Pomotis are the Bryttus. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 91 
 
 Genus Bryttus. 
 
 Three species of this Genus are described ; none of them 
 extend North of Pennsylvania, however. 
 
 Bryttus punctatus , {Cuvier.) South Carolina. 
 
 Bryttus reticulatus , {Cuvier.) South Carolina, 
 
 Bryttus unicolor {Cuvier.) Pennsylvania to South Carolina. 
 
 FAMILY TRIGLID^E. 
 
 That peculiar fish, the Uranidea quiescens , on page 69, be- 
 longs to this family, so also do the Gasterosteus- Sticklebacks. 
 
 Genus Gasterosteus. 
 
 I have introduced four of this Genus, on pages 81 to 85, 
 inclusive ; the extra limital species are the 
 Gasterosteus concinnus , {Richardson.) Nothern Regions. 
 Gasterosteus mainensis , {Storer.) State of Maine. 
 
 Gasterosteus niger , {Cuvier.) Newfoundland. 
 
 FAMILY SCIENIDjE. 
 
 Genus Corvina . 
 
 Of the Corvina none are found in our vicinity, the following 
 are the American species : 
 
 Corvina oscula , {Leseur.) Lake Sheepshead. Lake Erie and 
 Ontario. 
 
 Corvina richardsonii , {Cuvier.) The Malasheganay. Great 
 Northern Lakes. 
 
 Corvina grisea , {Leseur.) White Perch of Ohio. Ohio 
 River. 
 
 All the preceding species belong to the Spine Rayed 
 Fishes. 
 
92 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Order Second . Abdominal. 
 
 SOFT RAYED FISH. 
 
 This order of fishes have the ventrals placed behind the 
 pectorals and not attached to the humeral bone. 
 
 FAMILY SILURIDiE. 
 
 Genus Pimelodus . — Cat Fish. 
 
 This is a very numerous Genus of Fishes, embracing a 
 large number of species, all but four, however, are confined 
 to the Southern and Western States. Of the four exceptional 
 ones, three are found within our vicinity and are described in 
 these pages. See pages 75, 76 and 77. 
 
 The following are the extra limital species. 
 
 Pimelodus nigricans. Great Lake Cat Fish. Lake Ontario, etc. 
 Pimelodus ccenosus , ( Richardson .) Lake Huron. 
 
 Pimelodus albidus , ( Leseur .) Delaware River. 
 
 Pimelodus Lemniscatus , (Leseur.) Southern States. 
 
 Pimelodus furcatus , (Leseur.) Fork Tailed Cat Fish. Ohio 
 River. 
 
 Pimelodus punctidatus , (Leseur.) Louisiana. 
 
 Pimelodus ceneus , (Leseur.) Ohio River. 
 
 Kirtland describes the following additional species as 
 natives of the Ohio River. 
 
 Pimelodus cerulescens. Blue Cat Fish. 
 
 Pimelodus cupreous. Yellow Cat Fish. 
 
 Pimelodus pallidus. Channel Cat Fish. 
 
 Pimelodus nebulosus. Mud Cat Fish. 
 
 Pimelodus zanthocephalus. Small Black Bull Head. 
 
 Pimelodus flavus. Young Cat Fish. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 93 
 
 It is probable some of the above will yet prove to be only 
 varieties of well defined species. 
 
 Amongst the native fishes, none are more peculiar than the 
 species known to inhabit the little river Styx, which flows 
 through the interior of that subterranean wonder, the Mam- 
 moth Cave, in Kentucky. The peculiarity in this species is 
 the fact of its obscure location, being local to the cave, not 
 found elsewhere. The other peculiarity is the fact of 
 their being blind. Dr. DeKay, who first described this spe- 
 cies, confessed himself at a loss where to place it, and insti- 
 tuted a new Genus under the . name of Amblyopsis , and 
 included it among the Siluridae, for want of a better place. 
 
 Genus Amblyopsis . — {DeKay.) 
 
 Amblyopsis speleus . — Blind Fish of Kentucky. — {DeKay.) 
 
 The fact of its being blind, was for a long time doubted, 
 but subsequent investigation has substantiated it as a fact. 
 This is the only instance of the kind known in Ichthyology. 
 
 FAMILY CYPRINIDiE. 
 
 To this Family we are indebted for the chief variety for 
 our Aquariums, all of the species being more or less 
 suited to it. 
 
 Genus Cyprinus. 
 
 Cyprinus carpio , Common Carp. This species was intro- 
 duced from Europe in 1831, by Henry Robinson, Esq., of 
 Newburg, N. Y. It is now a common fish in the Hudson. 
 
 The well known and universally admired Gold Fish, or 
 Golden Carp (page 31) belongs to this Genus. The next in 
 order are the Labeo , Chubsucker. 
 
94 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Genus Labeo. 
 
 Three species of this Genus (pages 72, 73 and 74) are 
 introduced in this chapter as appropriate for the tank ; the 
 other extra limital species are the : 
 
 Labeo Cyprinus , ( Leseur .) Long Finned Chubsucker. Susque- 
 hanna, Pa. 
 
 Labeo esopus , ( DeKay .) Round Backed Chubsucker. North- 
 ern and Western part of New York. 
 
 The Chubsuckers are all very brilliant colored fishes, none 
 exceeding them in beauty. Next are the Catastomus , or 
 Suckers ; of this Genus two species are mentioned for the 
 Aquarium (pages 70' and 71.) 
 
 Genus Catastomus. — Sucker. 
 
 Catastomus communis , {Leseur.) Common Sucker, very generally 
 distributed. 
 
 Catastomus oneida , {De Kay.) Oneida Sucker, Oneida Lake, N. Y. 
 Catastomus aureolus , {Leseur.) Mullet Sucker. Lake Erie. 
 Catastomus nigricans , {Leseur.) Black Sucker. Lake Erie. 
 Catastomus macrolepidotus , {Leseur.) Large Scaled Sucker. 
 Delaware River. 
 
 Catastomus longirostris , {Leseur.) Long Nosed Sucker. V ermont. 
 Catastomus maculosus , {Leseur.) Spotted Sucker. Maryland. 
 Catastomus elongatus , {Leseur.) Missouri Sucker or Black Horse. 
 Ohio River. 
 
 Catastomus vittatus , {Leseur.) Striped Sucker. Philadelphia. 
 Catastomus duquesnii , {Leseur.) White Sucker. Ohio River. 
 Catastomus sucellata , {Lacepede.) South Carolina. 
 
 Catastomus maxilingua, {Leseur.) Little Sucker. Delaware. 
 
 Of these the vittatus and maxilingua are best suited for the 
 Aquaria, the former being only two inches in length, the 
 latter four inches. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 95 
 
 Genus Leuciscus. — Dace. 
 
 *Of the Leuciscus , seven species are introduced, as found in 
 our vicinity, all suited to the Aquarium; pages 54 to 62, 
 inclusive ; the extra limital species are the following : 
 
 Leuciscus pulchellus, (Storer.) Beautiful Leuciscus, Roach Dace 
 or Couzin Trout, habitat, the Eastern States. 
 Leuciscus argenteus , (Storer.) Silvery Dace. Massachusetts. 
 Leuciscus corporalis , (Mitchell.) The Corporaleon. Upper part 
 of the Hudson and it tributaries. 
 
 Leuciscus elongatus , (Kirtland.) Tributaries of Lake Erie ; this 
 is a very beautiful species, very desirable for the 
 tank. 
 
 Leuciscus dissimilis , (Kirtland.) Same locality. 
 
 Leuciscus biguttatus , (Kirtland.) Ohio River. 
 
 Leuciscus cephalus , (Kirtland.) Big Headed Chub. Ohio. 
 
 Closely allied to the Leuciscus is the Bream, belonging to 
 Genus Abramis. See page 64. 
 
 Next to this is the Genus Stilbe , one species of which is 
 described on page 65. 
 
 Genus Lebias, 
 
 This Genus embraces only two species, both of which are 
 very diminuitive and acceptable to the Aquarium; one of 
 these is described on page 68 ; the extra limital species is the 
 Lebias ellipsoides , (Leseur.) Habitat Florida. 
 
 Next follow the Fresh Water Minnows forming 
 
 Genus Hydrargira . 
 
 * 
 
 One species of Hydrargira is described in this work 
 on page 86 ; the extra limital species are : 
 
96 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Hydrargirci atricada , ( DeKay .) Champlain Minnow. Lake 
 Champlain. • 
 
 Hydrargira ornata , ( Leseur .) Ornamented Minnow. Dela- 
 ware River. 
 
 Hydrargira nigrofasciata , {Leseur.) Black Striped Minnow. 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 Hydrargira multifasciata, {DeKay.) Many Barred Minnow. 
 Saratoga Lake. 
 
 Closely allied to the Hydrargira is the 
 Genus Molinesia. 
 
 Molinesia latipennis , (Leseur.) Ponds in Louisiana. 
 
 FAMILY ESOCHLE. 
 
 Genus Esox. 
 
 This Genus embraces the Pickerel and Pike, two of the 
 former being described on pages 35 and 36. The extra 
 limital species are the : 
 
 Esox estor , (Leseur.) The Muskellonge or Pike, Lakes of 
 Northern and Western New York. 
 
 Esox tredecem radiatus , (Mitchell.) The Federation Pike, Lakes 
 of Northern and Western New York, called the 
 Tredecum radiatus , or Federation Pike, from the 
 fact that four out of the five fins have thirteen rays 
 in each, the original number of the federal compact 
 of States. 
 
 Esox phaleratus , (Say.) East Florida. 
 
 * Genus Pimeoma . — Pickering. 
 
 We have but one species of this Genus, described on 
 page 38. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 97 
 
 FAMILY SALMONIDiE. 
 
 Genus Salmo. 
 
 This Genus comprises the Trouh and Salmon, and the 
 species are most numerous in cold latitudes ; British North 
 America is particularly rich in this class of fishes. One 
 species, the well known and highly esteemed Brook Trout, 
 Salmo fontanalis , is figured on page 34 of this work. The 
 extra limital species are the : 
 
 Salmo erytlirogaster , (De Kay.) Red Bellied Trout. Lakes of 
 Northern and Western New York, etc. 
 
 Salmo confinis , (De Kay.) Same habitat as the preceding. 
 Salmo ameihystus , (Mitchell.) Mackinaw Salmon. Great North- 
 ern Lakes. 
 
 Salmo salar , (Linn.) Common Sea Salmon. River St. Law- 
 rence. 
 
 Salmo Canadensis, (Griffith's Cuvier.) Canada Salmon. River 
 St. Lawrence. 
 
 Genus Baione . 
 
 This Genus embraces but one species, a beautiful and 
 diminutive fish closely allied to the Trout ; see page 66. 
 Genus Coregonus. 
 
 The species of this Genus are all large, and frequent the 
 waters of the more northern sections of the United States, 
 the following are the species : 
 
 Coregonus albus , (Leseur.) White Fish. Great Upper Lakes. 
 Coregonus clupeiformis , (Mitchell.) Common Shad Salmon. 
 Same localities. 
 
 Coregonus otsego , (Dewitt Clinton.) Otsego Salmon. Otsego 
 Lake. 
 
 Coregonus harengus , (Richardson.) Lake Huron. 
 
 i 
 
98 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Family Clupidje. — Genus Amia . 
 
 Amici occidentalism (De Kay.) Western Mud Fish. 
 
 Amia calvci. Dog Fisher Lake Lawyer. Lake Erie. 
 
 Family Saurid^e. — Genus Lepisosteus. 
 
 This is a peculiar Genus of Fishes, the one found within 
 the limits of our State, is introduced in these pages, (see 
 page 37,) the extra limital species are as follows : 
 
 Lepisosteus platyrhincus , ( DeKay .) Flat Nosed Bony Pike. 
 Florida. 
 
 Lepisosteus longirostris, (Cuvier.) Lake Huron. 
 
 Order Fourth . — Apodal Fish. 
 
 FISH WITHOUT VENTRAL FINS. 
 
 Family Anguillid2e. — Genus Anguilla. 
 
 The common Anguilla tenuirostris is described on page 78; 
 the extra limital species are the 
 
 Anguilla rostrata, (Leseur.) Beaked Eel. Cayuga and Geneva 
 * Lakes, New York. 
 
 Anguilla macrocephala , (Leseur.) Bull Head Eel. Saratoga lake. 
 Sub-Class second.— CARTILAGINOUS FISHES. 
 Order Third . — cyclostomi. 
 
 Family Petromyzonid,e. — Genus Petromyzon. 
 
 Of the Petromyzon one species is described on page 79, the 
 extra limital species is the 
 
 Petromyzon argenteus , (Kirtland.) Habitat the Big Miami 
 River, State of Ohio. 
 
 Genus Ammoccetus. 
 
 Of the Ammoccetus , one species is described on page 78, the 
 extra limital species is the 
 
 Ammoccetus bicolor , (Leseur.) Colored Mud Lamprey. Con- 
 necticut River. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE ANIMAT. LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 THE AMPHIBIANS. 
 
 The Amphibians suited to the Aquarium. 
 
 The Amphibious animals are those that live part of the 
 time in water and a part of the time on land, being sub-aquatic. 
 The species suited to the Fluvial Aquarium are quite limited 
 in number. Of these I propose to introduce all the species 
 found within the neighborhood of the City and County of 
 New York. 
 
 The first of these claiming our attention are the Water 
 Turtles ? comprising but two species suitable to our subject. 
 
 Chrysemys picta. — Painted Water Turtle. 
 
 The family to which this and the following species belongs 
 and their congenors, the marine turtles, and land turtles, have 
 been very elaborately described by Prof. Agassiz, who has 
 devoted three quarto volumes to their history, dwelling very 
 minutely upon their nidification. 
 
100 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 The Painted Water Turtle has a wide geographical range, 
 being generally found throughout the Atlantic States, and 
 has always been prized as a desirable curiosity for the tank. 
 They live well in confinement, requiring however to be regu- 
 larly fed. For the Aquarium, the smaller they are the better ; 
 the accompanying figure represents its size when nearly two 
 years old. If used larger than this they annoy the fish. 
 They shed their shell periodically, and in their native waters 
 lie deeply buried in the mud during the winter months. 
 During warm sunny days they may be seen resting upon an 
 old log or stump of a tree, basking in the rays of the sun. 
 Their sense of hearing and seeing are very acute and they must 
 be approached with caution to insure capture. When dis- 
 turbed from their resting place, they quickly slip into the 
 water, in that case it is futile to attempt their capture. 
 When in confinement, they eat lean beef with avidity, they 
 are likewise fond of the common house fly. 
 
 Specific Character : Upper shell, highly convex, ellip- 
 
 tical, divided into thirteen central plates and twenty-five 
 marginal plates. Lower shell also elliptical, slightly convex, 
 narrower than the upper, protruding in front a little beyond 
 the upper shell. This under shell is divided longitudinally 
 into two divisions, each division sub-divided into six plates, 
 the centre two being the largest, and the two anterior ones 
 smallest; the two centre plates on each side extended on 
 their outer margins and uniting with the upper shell. Head 
 and neck, deep black, distinctly marked with bright red and 
 saffron yellow stripes. Cheeks striped with bright red, and 
 having four yellow irregular blotches on the upper part of 
 the same. Eyes, small but keen ; pupils, black ; irides, yellow, 
 with four black spots on their disc. Throat conspicuously 
 
* 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 101 
 
 striped with yellow. Nostrils, small, rounded. Front of the 
 head protruding to an obtuse point. Head and neck, as in 
 all the family, capable of being drawn completely in, and 
 concealed by the elastic skin of the folds of the cover ; this 
 neck covering beautifully striped with bright red. Legs and 
 feet covered with small tough scales, handsomely variegated 
 with black and bright red. Upper shell deep brownish 
 black, sometimes tinged with dark olive brown ; in some, 
 nearly black ; divisions of the upper plates of the same broadly 
 margined with dull yellowish brown. The twenty-five mar-' 
 ginal plates of the upper shell, ornamented with red in their 
 centres ; under edge of these plates extending to the body of 
 the animal, bright red, marked with black. Lower shell, 
 orange brown, each plate with a grooved line on its inner 
 surface, parallel with the margin of the same. Feet furnished 
 with five toes, having long sharp curved claws or nails. 
 Feet striped with red to the base of the claws. Claws, black 
 at their base, whitish at their tips. Plates of the upper shell 
 with a series of lines running parallel with the sections of the 
 same. A narrow stripe of yellowish brown extends longitu- 
 dinally down the centre of the upper shell. Tail small, 
 pointed, compressed toward^ the extremity, black, striped 
 with red and yellow, laterally. 
 
 i* 
 
102 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Emys punctata.— Spotted Water Turtle. — (Schneid.) 
 
 This is also a handsome species, and the same general 
 remarks are applicable to it as regards its habits, as were 
 made in the case of the “picta” with this addition — the 
 punctata passes more of its time on dry land during the sum- 
 mer, often crossing large fields in quest of food which 
 consists of various insects, ** 
 
 Specific Character : Upper shell highly con vexed, ellip- 
 tical, and hollowed in at its anterior end. The upper shell 
 consists of thirteen plates on its rounded surface, the four 
 centre ones sextagonal ; and twenty-four small marginal 
 plates surrounding the others. Under shell divided into 
 twelve plates by a longitudinal line along the centre of the 
 shell. Head flattened above as in the picta ; broadest at the 
 eyes. Nose, obtuse ; nostrils, small and rounded. Pupils, 
 black ; irides, hazel brown. Upper part of the head, black, 
 unspotted 5 neck, black, spotted with bright yellow ; throat, 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 103 
 
 blackish brown ; elastic skin of the neck, black. Legs and 
 feet, black, scaly, thickly spotted with orange ; feet scaled to 
 the base of the claws ; claws, acute, curved and black. 
 Upper shell, deep blackish brown, thickly spotted with 
 yellow dots, varying in number in different individual spe- 
 cimens ; in some very few in number, in others completely 
 sprinkled ; about twelve on the largest plates being the max- 
 imum. Lower shell varies in color, in some almost entirely 
 black, whilst in others the rufous brown predominates. Tail, 
 pointed, scaly, black spotted with yellow ; under the base of 
 the same, orange red. Upper and lower shell chiefly con- 
 nected by the centre plate on each side. 
 
 As in the picta, they make a peculiar hissing noise 
 when handled. 
 
 The next family of Amphibians claiming our attention are 
 the Tritons ; of these only one species is really adapted to the 
 Aquarium, although the other species can be reared in the 
 tank if plenty of resting space be furnished them above the 
 surface of the water. The same is also applicable in regard 
 to the Salamanders, hereafter to be mentioned. 
 
 Triton millepunctatus . — Many Spotted Triton or Newt. 
 
 The many spotted Triton or Newt, commonly but erro- 
 neously called Lizard, is an exceedingly numerous species, 
 generally distributed throughout the country. They are 
 
104 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 most numerous in small ponds, and few stagnant waters are 
 without them. During the winter months they hybernate, 
 burying themselves deep in the mud. Their eccentric 
 motions render them an interesting feature of the Aquarium ; 
 they require introduced food, worms or beef answer well ; if 
 not fed they annoy the fish contained in the tank. 
 
 Specific Character : Head, flattened above ; body, elon- 
 
 gated, rounded ; dorsal ridge, sharp. Eyes, small but 
 prominent. Nose, obtusely pointed ; nostrils, small, rounded, 
 distant. Legs and feet compressed ; toes, five, centre ones 
 longest; toes without claws or nails. Tail greatly com- 
 pressed, fully as long as the body, upper margin of the same 
 more or less undulated. 
 
 General color : whole upper part of the body and sides, 
 olive green, varying in shades of color in individual speci- 
 mens; in some reddish brown, in others yellowish brown. 
 Whole under side and flanks, yellow, thickly spotted with 
 black dots. Upper part of the body and sides also sprinkled 
 with black dots, and having a row or series of crimson spots 
 encircled with black on their sides. Division of the color of 
 the sides and the light yellow of the under parts abrupt, not 
 being blended. Pupil of the eyes, black brown, tinged with 
 orange red. Tail same color as the upper parts and thickly 
 sprinkled with black dots. Legs and feet, yellowish brown, 
 sprinkled with black dots to the extremity of the toes. 
 
 The next species of Triton to be introduced to your 
 notice, as I before remarked, are not so aquatic in their habits 
 as the millepunctatus , yet they can be kept in the tank, if 
 necessary resting places are provided for them. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 105 
 
 Triton tigrinus . — Tiger Triton. — {Green.) 
 
 This is a very beautiful species, comparatively rare. 
 Length, six to seven inches. Body, elongated, rounded. 
 Tail compressed from its base to the tip. General color, 
 lustrous bluish black, beautifully marked with large, conspic- 
 uous irregular spots of yellowish, over the whole animal. 
 
 Triton niger . — Black or Dusky Triton. — {Green.) 
 
 This species can be kept in the same manner as the 
 tigrinus; they should all be regularly fed. 
 
 Specific Character: Length, five to six inches. Body, 
 elongated, rounded, tail as long as the body, compressed. 
 General color, upper part of the body and sides, uniform dark 
 brown or black, under part of the body, lighter. Sides, with 
 inconspicuous small white spots. Toes, unusually long. 
 
106 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Closely allied to the Tritons are the Salamanders 5 these ani- 
 mals are much more terrestial than aquatic, yet they may be 
 kept in the same manner, as alluded to in the case of the 
 Triton tigrinis or Triton niger. % * 
 
 Salamandra rubra . — Red Salamander. 
 
 * 
 
 This is a beautiful species. Specific character: general 
 color, red, spotted over with roundish spots, most numerous 
 on the head. Length four to five inches. 
 
 The Salamanders not being so aquatic as the Tritons, I 
 have introduced but one species. The whole of the Amer- 
 ican species will be found in the annexed list ; this is furnished 
 because some persons might be desirous of keeping these 
 singular creatures, if so they must bear in mind that they can 
 hardly be considered sub-aquatic ; they will however live for 
 a short period immersed in water. 
 
 Salamandra symmetrica. Symmetrical Salamander. Found in 
 the vicinity of New York and all the Atlantic States 
 Salamandra erythronata. Red Backed Salamander, common 
 in numerous localities in New Jersey. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 107 
 
 Salamanclra picta, (Harlem.) Painted Salamander. Massachu- 
 setts to Pennsylvania. 
 
 Salamandra subviolacea , (Barton.) Violet colored Salamander. 
 
 Found from Maine to Maryland. 
 
 Salamandra cirrigera , (Holbrook.) Louisiana. 
 
 Salamandra sinciput albida , (Green.) New Jersey. 
 
 Salamandra gutta lineata , (Holbrook.) Carolina. 
 
 Salamandra auriculata , (Holbrook.) Georgia. 
 
 Salamandra talpoidea , (Holbrook.) South> Carolina. 
 
 Salamandra quadrimaculata , (Holbrook.) Four Spotted Sala- 
 mander. Pennsylvania to Georgia. 
 
 Salamandra haldemani , (Holbrook.) Pennsylvania to Virginia, 
 Salamandra glutinosa , (Green.) Blue Spotted Salamander. 
 
 Found from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. 
 Salamandra coccinea. Scarlet' Salamander. 
 
 Salamandra bilineata , (Holbrook.) Striped Backed Salamander. 
 
 New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 
 
 Salamandra granulata , * (Holbrook.) Granulated Salamander. 
 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Salamandra longicauda , (Green.) Long Tailed Salamander. 
 
 New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. 
 
 Salamandra fasciata , (Green.) Blotched Salamander. Massa- 
 * chusetts to Ohio. 
 
 Salamandra salmonea,( Holbrook.) Salmon Colored Salaman- 
 der. Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. 
 The extra limital Tritons are the following : — 
 
 Tritons porphyriticus , ( Green. ) Gray Spotted Triton. Southern 
 States. 
 
 Triton ingens , (Green.) New Orleans. 
 
 Triton Jeffersoni , (Green.) Jefferson’s Triton. State of Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
108 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Having reviewed the Water Turtles, Tritons and Salaman- 
 ders, the next claiming our notice, is the Astacus Bartoni , or 
 American Cray fish. 
 
 This species is introduced in this place, because it is of 
 amphibious habits. It is closely allied to the British Astacus 
 fluviatilis , only the fluviatilis attains a much larger size, and is 
 highly esteemed by epicures. Our Cray Fish inhabits clear 
 running brooks, such as Trout frequent. They burrow in 
 holes or hide under rocks and stones, and to a considerable 
 extent %re nocturnal in their habits. At night they often 
 emerge from their hiding places and crawl from one stream 
 to another in search of food. If kept in the tank, they 
 require, like all .the amphibious creatures, a resting place 
 
 Genus Astacus . — Cray Fish. 
 
 Astacus Bartoni . — American Cray Fish. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 109 
 
 above the surface of the water ; they will live for a consider- 
 able time out of water ; I have repeatedly kept them in this 
 way fdur and even five days at a time. Like their con- 
 genors of the ocean, (the lobster,) they shed their shell 
 periodically, and the opportunity afforded of observing this 
 curious and interesting change of dress, will well repay any 
 trouble experienced in keeping them in confinement. 
 
 The last of the Amphibians to be noticed are the Tadpoles. 
 
 These are extremely numerous, found in almost every pond 
 throughout the country, they are well adapted to the tank, 
 are lively and live well. No tank should be without a few 
 tadpoles ; their transformation to the frog is interesting and 
 worthy of attention. All frogs in their tadpole state are 
 strictly aquatic, but in their mature state are amphibious. 
 Should you keep your tadpoles until they assume the perfect 
 form of the frog, your tank must be covered with net work 
 to prevent their jumping out, and a resting place above the 
 waters’ surface provided, as. in the case of the rest of the 
 amphibians heretofore mentioned. 
 
110 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Tadpole of the Rana fontanalis . — Spring Frog. 
 
 The remarks upon the pipiens are applicable to this and all 
 the other species of the Genera. I have deemed these two 
 examples sufficient to illustrate the American species, any 
 of which are worthy of a place in the Aquarium during 
 their Tadpole stage. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 animal life of the aquaridm. — ( Continued .) 
 
 THE FLUVIAL SHELLS AND INSECTS. 
 
 Fluvial Shells and Insects adapted to the Tank — What Insects to avoid. 
 
 Of the Shells the TJnios are the most conspicuous for the 
 tank, they are extremely hardy, and live well in confinement. 
 One of the easiest procured in our locality is the JJnio Com - 
 plcinatus , a figure of which is appended. 
 
 Unio complanatus . 
 
 This is one of the handsomest marked species, found in 
 our vicinity, variegated as it is with green, and rich brown, 
 and beautifully striated. Our fresh waters furnish us with a 
 large number of Unios. 
 
112 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 Of the smaller shells the most useful are the Planorbis and 
 Pliysas. Of the Planorbis the best one is the Planorbis 
 trivolvis , shaped somewhat like a cornucopia. The Planorbis , 
 Physas and Limneas act as scavengers to the tank, and no 
 Aquarium should be without them. 
 
 Planorbis trivolvis. 
 
 This is an exceeding numerous species in many of the 
 ponds in our vicinity. General color, dark brown ; left mar- 
 gin of the lip below the plane of the transverse diameter. 
 Six other species of Planorbis are described in our Fauna , 
 two of the best of these six for the tank are the bicarinatus 
 and armigerus. Of the Limneas seventeen species are 
 described by Dr. DeKay as American, all of which could be 
 used for the Aquarium. Another Genera of small shells are 
 the Cyclas ; of these, six species inhabit our State, viz : 
 
 Cyclas similis , dubia , parteumeia , rhomboidea , elegans and 
 edentata. 
 
 Of the Physa nine species are described from our State, 
 These are excellent for the Aquarium, and are readily pro- 
 cured ; the best species is the heterostrop ha. 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 113 
 
 Physa heterostropha . 
 
 General color, greenish, the oldest ones being darkest; 
 when young, usually tinged with yellow ; inside of the lip 
 reddish. Whorls, four. Aperture of the shell nearly oval. 
 Very common in sluggish streams. 
 
 The insects suited to the Aquarium are but few in number, 
 amongst the multitude of Aquatic Insect life ; indeed, great 
 care should be taken as to the species placed in the tank. 
 Very many of them are highly destructive, and in addition to 
 the species recommended for use, I shall point out those to 
 be carefully avoided. One of the best of the Aquatic Coleop- 
 tera for the Aquarium is the Hydropholis tri-ovalis 
 
 Hydropholis triangularis . 
 
 * 
 
 This fine insect represented as above, its natural size, is 
 perfectly harmless for the Aquarium. The body is highly 
 concave, and its color very dark greenish black, under part 
 
 K* 
 
114 
 
 THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 of the body luminous. The family in fact to which this 
 species belongs furnishes us with nearly all the Coleoptera 
 suited to the Aquarium. Although often met with they are 
 not so numerous as the Dytiscus , the most rapacious of all the 
 Aquatic Coleoptera. 
 
 Another fine species of this Genus, is the Hydropholis 
 ovalis , this is much rarer than the above, and equally as 
 desirable. 
 
 This is one of the rarest of the Aquatic Insects, as for the 
 tank, it is one of the best. In general color, it resembles the 
 triangularis , but it varies in its form. Two other species of 
 Hydropholis will be introduced 5 first, the glaber , 
 
 This is a small black species, with no great peculiarity. 
 
 Hydropholis ovalis • 
 
 Hydropholis glaber . 
 
THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 115 
 
 Hydropholis lateralis. 
 
 This species is a little larger than the glaber. 
 
 Be sure never to introduce any of the Dytiscidce into your 
 tank, they are carnivorous and very voracious, and very 
 destructive to small fish. Neither would I recommend the 
 Notanecta or Boat Fly, because I know they injure the fish. 
 Avoid also any of the larvce of the numerous species of Libel - 
 lulidce or Dragon Flies. 
 
 The Gammarus minus .or Fresh Water Shrimp are perfectly 
 harmless and form excellent food for your fish, nearly all 
 species devouring them greedily. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 The Vegetation of the Aquarium — The plants best adapted to the same. 
 
 This is most important, for upon its character rests the 
 health of your finny tribe 5 we have around us a large variety 
 of excellent aquatic plants suited to the purpose, that liberate 
 oxygen freely, thus purifying the water. Independent of 
 the necessity of their presence in the Aquarium for their 
 revivifying powers, they are essential for their ornamental 
 beauty 5 nothing can be more beautiful than a tank in gopd 
 order, well supplied with animal and vegetable life, the 
 varieties of color displayed in the vegetation form a picture 
 worthy of admiration. 
 
 In selecting plants for the Aquarium, care should be taken 
 that they are perfectly fresh, and that the roots are entire ; in 
 some of the Myriophyllums , small fibrous roots proceed from 
 the lower portions of the stem : it is from this fact that the 
 small sprig of Myriophyllum will grow when detached from 
 the main stem. Even this plant, however, grows stronger 
 and more luxuriant when the radical roots are retained. 
 
 I propose briefly to review, the various species adapted for 
 the Aquarium. 
 
 First of all we have the beautiful group of plants known 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 117 
 
 to botanists as the Utricularias ; the name derived from 
 Utricula , a little bottle, in allusion to the peculiar shape of 
 the air vessels. These beautiful plants are furnished with 
 innumerable utriculce or air vessels, which, being filled with 
 air, sustain the plant, floating on the surface of the water. 
 The Utricularia is an early spring plant, making its appear- 
 ance often before the ponds are entirely clear of the ice ; the 
 first indications of its growth are minute green globular balls, 
 somewhat like a pea ; as soon as these balls burst open, or the 
 least sign of their opening takes place, they immediately rise 
 to the surface of the water and rapidly grow. Some of the 
 JJtricularias extend like a rope, a length of three to five feet ; 
 when it has arrived at its greatest perfection, the ulriculce 
 bursts open, causing the plant to sink to the bottom, and 
 soon rapidly decays. The color of the TJtricularias is very 
 light green, and no aquatic plant found in the United States 
 exceeds it in delicate beauty. Of the Utricularias , fifteen 
 species are described as natives of the United States. 
 
 1. The Utricularia wflata. This species grows in ponds 
 from Maine to Florida and west to Ohio. It bears four 
 or five yellow flowers together upon a scape. Utriculce , 
 innumerable. Stem very long and branched, upper leaves in 
 whorls of fives and sixes, lower leaves, dissected. Spur of 
 the flower nearly as long as the corolla, striate and emarginate. 
 Corolla, yellow, the upper lip, broadly ovate, lower lip, tri- 
 lobed. Flowers in August. 
 
 2. The Utricularia purpurea. Purple Utricularia. This 
 species can readily be distinguished from the others by the 
 large bright purple flowers they bear. Grows in ponds from 
 Maine to Florida and north-west to Wisconsin. Flowers in 
 August. 
 
118 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM 
 
 3. The Utricularia intermedia. This species is distributed 
 in ponds throughout Canada and the upper tier of Northern 
 States and west to Wisconsin. Chiefly distinguished from 
 the other species by having leafless branches bearing the 
 utriculce. Upper lip of the corolla entire, and twice as long 
 as the palate. Flowers during June and July. 
 
 4. The Utricularia Robbinsii. A local plant described 
 by Dr. Wood as growing in swamps in Uxbridge and North- 
 bridge, Massachusetts. 
 
 5. The Utricularia striata. Striped Utricularia. This 
 plant is not of a floating character, the stem being slightly 
 attached to the soil by minute fibrous roots. ^ It is easily dis- 
 tinguished from the others by its striated flowers. Leaves 
 sub-divided into many divisions. Flowers, usually two, large 
 and having the upper lip three lobed of a bright yellow color, 
 the centre lobe striated with red ; lower lip crenate with dark 
 spots upon the palate. Grows in stagnant ponds on Long 
 Island and is generally distributed throughout the Atlantic 
 States, south to Florida. Flowers in June. 
 
 6. The Utricularia longirostris. This and the two follow- 
 ing species are confined to the Southern Atlantic States. 
 
 7. The Utricularia bi flora. 
 
 8. The Utricularia bipartita. 
 
 9. The Utricularia clandestina. This plant differs from 
 the others in the fact that the corolla never opens, and is the 
 only species of the Genus having this peculiarity. It grows 
 in ponds throughout the Atlantic States, from Massachusetts 
 to New Jersey. The stem attains a length of two feet, 
 bearing many air vessels. Leaves all submerged. Flowers, 
 two to three on a slender scape, also solitary on slender axil- 
 lary pedicels among the leaves on the stem. Flowers in 
 July. 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 119 
 
 10. The Utricular ia gibba. This is a minute species 
 found in pools from Massachusetts to Carolina. Stem, short, 
 dichotomus and filliform. Leaves, hair-like, and with few 
 utriculae. Scape, one to two, flowered. Corolla, yellow, 
 upper lip, emarginate; lower, subtrilobate. Spur gibbous, 
 hence its name. 
 
 11. The Utricularia minor. Found in ponds throughout 
 Canada and the Northern and Eastern States, and west to 
 Wisconsin. In this the corolla is of a pale yellowish color, and 
 very widely expands. Scape, three to six, .flowered. Upper 
 lip of the corolla, ovate, emarginate, as long as the palate ; 
 lower lip, obovate, flattened, much longer than the spurs. 
 Flowers in July. 
 
 12. The Utricularia vulgaris. This is the most common, 
 but yet the most beautiful species of the Genus. It is found 
 abundantly throughout the United States and Canada, grow- 
 ing with great luxuriance in stagnant ponds ; the small green 
 balls of this plant usually appear early in March, often before 
 the ponds are clear of ice. If a few of these are collected and 
 placed in the Aquarium they open and grow with amazing 
 rapidity ; in ten days I have had this plant attain a length of 
 two feet in this manner. The vulgaris grows to a great 
 length, and can often be obtained five feet in length, some- 
 times even seven feet. Stems very branching. Leaves, 
 numerous. Utriculae with a fringed valvate aperture. 
 Flowers, alternate, showy yellow, scape, simple, rising out of 
 the water and bearing five to eleven flowers. Lower lip of 
 the corolla with a projecting palate, striped with brown. 
 Flowers during June and July. 
 
 13. The Utricularia resupinata. This plant, as far as 
 known, is confined to the ponds of Massachusetts. 
 
 14. The Utricularia subulatata. This is a minute plant, 
 
120 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 growing in swamps of the Atlantic States, from Canada to 
 Florida. Stem slightly attached to the soil by minute fibrous 
 roots ; plant, creeping ; leaves, few and linear. Scapes few, 
 filliform, one to five, flowered. Flowers, yellow ; upper lip 
 of the corolla, ovate. Flowers in June. 
 
 15. The Utricularia cornuta. This plant is found in 
 ponds and swamps from Canada to Florida, and south-west 
 to Louisiana. Stem, rooting, tall, erect, with two to five 
 subsessile flowers. Corolla, large and yellow; upper lip, 
 small, emarginate ; lower lip, very broad, trilobed ; palate, very 
 prominent ; spur, subulate, acute and spreading from the 
 corolla. Flowers from June to August. 
 
 From the above fifteen species, several beautiful varieties 
 can be selected for the Aquarium, they include some of the 
 most delicate of our aquatic plants, none excelling them in 
 this respect for beauty. 
 
 The next family of plants claiming our attention as suitable 
 to the Aquarium, are the Myriophyllums. Of these hardy 
 aquatics we possess six species. The following are their spe- 
 cific characters from which their identity may be determined. 
 The Myriophyllums are perennial in their character. 
 
 In the tank the Myriophyllums will last for an indefinite 
 period. They can be propogated from the smallest offshoot. 
 When not entirely immersed in* water, the leaves do not 
 develope in that pinnate form that is natural to them when 
 completely immersed ; this is the case during dry seasons, 
 when many of the ponds dry up. The leaves not immersed 
 in water, that do not assume this pinnated form, have their 
 margins more or less serrated. 
 
 1. The Myriophyllum verticillatum. Water Millfoil. This 
 species is one of the most abundant, occuring in ponds, 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUAKIUM. 
 
 121 
 
 and sluggish waters from Canada to Florida, and from Maine 
 to California. Leaves in verticals of threes. Flowers some- 
 times perfect, small, green, axillary with conspicuous floral 
 leaves, which are pectinate, pinnatifed and longer than the 
 flowers. Flowers in July and August. 
 
 2. The Myriopliyllum spicatum. Spiked Water Millfoil. 
 This plant has likewise a wide geographical range, extending 
 from the New England States south and west to Arkansas. 
 The slender stem of this plant usually grows in deep water, 
 it is branched and very long. Leaves composed of innumer- 
 able hair like segments, always submerged. Leaves in 
 verticills of threes, all pinnately parted. Flowers in terminal, 
 nearly naked, spikes, floral leaves entire, ovate, shorter than 
 the flowers ; petals, broadly ovate ; stamens eight. Flowers 
 small greenish, blossoms in July and August, and is 
 caducous. 
 
 3. The Myriopliyllum heterophyllum. ^ This is a rare 
 plant, growing in sluggish waters from Canada to Florida. 
 Stem, thick, branching. Leaves, very various, lowest floral 
 ones pectinately divided ; leaves in verticills of fives ; spikes, 
 terminal, nearly naked. Floral leaves, ovate, lanceolate and 
 serrate. Petals, oblong ; stamens four to six. Flowers from 
 June to September. 
 
 4. The Myriopliyllum scabatrum. Leaves pinnatifed in 
 whorls of fours and fives. Floral leaves linear, and pecti- 
 nately toothed. Flowers, small, verticillate and axillary. 
 Flowers in July. This plant occurs in ponds and sluggish 
 streams throughout the Northern and Eastern States. 
 
 5. The Myriopliyllum ambiguum. Floating Millfoil. This 
 is a numerously leaved species. Stem, long floating. 
 Submerged leaves pinnate, with capillary segments, middle 
 
 L 
 
122 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 ones pectinate, upper ones linear, petiolate toothed or entire 
 according to the depth of water they grow in. Flowers very 
 minute, floral leaves linear. Grows in ponds and sluggish 
 streams from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Flowers in 
 July, the blossom is axillary, solitary and sessile. 
 
 6. The Myriophyllum tenellum. The rhizome or stem 
 long, prostrate and creeping, sending up erect branches 
 almost leafless. Flowers, purplish white, small, sessile and 
 alternate. Floral bracts minute, alternate, entire, obtuse 
 and slightly longer than the flowers. Petals linear, stamens 
 four. Flowers in July. Grows in ponds and swamps from 
 New York to Newfoundland. 
 
 Next in importance to the Myriophyllums is the Cerato - 
 phyllum. Of this Genus we have but one species, the Cerato - 
 phyllum demersum , or Hornwort, commonly called Mare’s 
 Tail. This is one of the best plants we have for the Aqua- 
 rium, its dark luxuriant foliage contrasting well with the 
 lighter greens of the Utricular ias and Myriophyllums . In its 
 native waters it is annual, but in the tank is perennial. One 
 peculiarity of this plant is the remarkable short period it will 
 remain fresh and green if taken from the water and exposed 
 to the atmosphere, almost immediately withering, differing 
 in this respect from all other aquatic plants. During the 
 summer season, if much of this plant be kept together, it heats 
 the water to such an extent, that the whole mass soon 
 becomes fermented ; the plant sloughs away and in a few days 
 becomes a putrid mass; such is the case in the localities where 
 it is found. During the summer months it grows so prolific, 
 and in such masses, that when it arrives at full maturity, it 
 soon shows signs of decay, and towards the latter part of 
 autumn, melts as it were away, leaving scarcely a vestige 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 123 
 
 of its former luxuriance. In the Bronx River, Westchester 
 County, New York, it attains to great perfection, so also in 
 many of the tributaries of the Hackensack, Passaic and 
 Raritan rivers in New Jersey. I have never observed its 
 presence in still waters. 
 
 Stem, long, slender, branched, floating ; leaves in whorls of 
 eights. Foliage, dark green when fully developed, bright 
 green when young. Flowers greenish, very minute, axillary 
 and solitary. 
 
 The next plant claiming our attention is the Anacharis 
 Canadensis , or Water Thyme. This plant of all others is the 
 most prolific. I have had young shoots, in the Aquarium 
 during spring, to grow twelve to fifteen inches in three days. 
 Although in its native waters it is an annual, like the 
 Ceratophyllum , it becomes perennial in the tank, and continues 
 to increase if left undisturbed, soon requiring thinning out. 
 Originally it was peculiar to this continent, but some speci- 
 mens sent over to a Professor in Cambridge University, 
 England* where inadvertently thrown into the River Cam, 
 and from this trifling incident it became naturalized there and 
 has now spread throughout many of the fresh waters of 
 England, (where it is known as Water Thyme,) and in some 
 instances has impeded the navigation in the canals, occasion- 
 ing inconvenience and expense in clearing them. 
 
 Stem long, branched ; leaves, lanceolate in whorls of threes. 
 Foliage, light bright green. 
 
 Our botanists describe but one species of this plant, but 
 there are two varieties found in the sluggish streams of 
 Hudson County, New Jersey, which, upon closer investiga- 
 tion, may prove to be distinct from the canadensis. These 
 varieties do not attain that strength of growth the canadensis 
 
124 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 does, the stem is much more fragile, the leaves much smaller, 
 and more linear, darker colored, and the plants are not so 
 hardy. 
 
 The next plant to call your attention to is, and always has 
 been considered, the best aerator or liberator of oxygen 
 known ; the Valisneria spiralis , or Tape Grass. It received 
 its Generic name in honor of Yalisnei, an eminent Italian 
 Naturalist, who gained great repute by his excellent writings 
 upon Botany and Entomology. This is an interesting plant 
 in different respects, first, as being the best purifier of water, 
 second, as being the first plant ever used in an Aquarium, by 
 Dr. Lankaster in 1841, (as spoken of in the first chapter ;) 
 and lastly, as being an excellent object under the microscope 
 to view the circulation of the sap. 
 
 This plant is exceedingly abundant in the Delaware and 
 Raritan Canal, in fact is troubfesome to the navigation of the 
 same ; it grows also luxuriantly in the Hudson, at Newburg, 
 New York. The male and female flowers grow on different 
 plants, the female flowers are borne on long spiral foot stalks, 
 the male ones on straight, short flower spikes. It can 
 readily be propogated in the tank by off shoots, and will last 
 indefinitely. 
 
 The next in value for the Aquarium are the Potomo- 
 gatons , Pond Weeds. Of these we have fifteen species found 
 in this vicinity, as follows : 
 
 1. The Potomogaton compressum , distinguished by its 
 compressed stem and linear, obtuse leaves. Stem, one to 
 two feet long, branching, flattened and green. Leaves, 
 closely sessile, margins parallel, ending in an abrupt point ; 
 peduncle bearing from five to twenty-five flowers. Flowers 
 in July. 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 125 
 
 2. The Potomogaton Tuckermani. Stem, ‘'filliform, with 
 capillary branches ; leaves, few, all capillary. A very delicate 
 species. 
 
 3. The Potomogaton natans. Broad leaved Pond Weed. 
 Stem, slender, one to three feet long, branched. Leaves, 
 oblong, or elliptical, ovate on long petioles, spikes rather 
 dense. Flowers in July and August. Grows in ponds and 
 sluggish streams. New England to Wisconsin. 
 
 4. The Potomogaton heterophyllus. Stem, round and 
 slender ; filliform, branching. Floating leaves, lanceolate or 
 oblong, five to seven veined. Grows in ponds and sluggish 
 streams. 
 
 5. The Potomogaton diversif olium. Varied leaved Poto- 
 mogaton. Stem, filliform, branching ; upper leaves, ovate 
 and lanceolate, five veined $ lower ones, sessile, filliform, 
 alternate. Upper leaves only rising to the waters’ surface, 
 these are acute on hair-like petioles. Flowers in July. 
 
 6. The Potomogaton hybridus. Stem mostly simple, very 
 slender, one to three feet long. Floating leaves, elliptic 
 oblong, very slightly veined, longer than their petioles ; sub- 
 merged leaves long, linear, sessile. Spike, cylindrical, dense ; 
 seeds coiled into a ring. Grows in ponds and slow streams. 
 This is a very handsome species for the Aquarium. 
 
 7. The Potomogaton fluitans. Stem, simple or branched, 
 several feet long. Floating leaves opposite, oval, lanceolate, 
 acute at each end, shorter than the petioles, submerged leaves 
 larger than the floating ones, lanceolate, sessile, strongly 
 veined, wavy, thin, slightly reticulated, not shining. Pedi- 
 cills thickened, cylindric. Spikes, dense, flowered. Flowers 
 in August. Grows in deep clear water. New York to 
 Canada. 
 
 L* 
 
126 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 8. The Potomogaton lucens. Easily distinguished by its large 
 pellucid leaves. Leaves, large, shining, oblong, lanceolate, 
 flat, very pellucid, conspicuously cross-veined. Spikes, long, 
 cylindrical, many flowered. Spadix of numerous green 
 flowers on a peduncle, thick and enlayed upwards. Grows 
 in rivers and lakes in Canada, New York and New England. 
 
 9. The Potomogaton ohrutus. Stem, round, simple and 
 slender. Leaves, linear, lanceolate, sessile, rather acute ; 
 spikes, long, pedunculate, dense. Vermont to Georgia. 
 
 10. The Potomogaton proelongus. Leaves, oblong, ovate, 
 obtuse, many veined. Flowers in July and August. * 
 
 11. The Potomogaton perfoliatus. A common species in 
 ponds and slow waters. Leaves, cordate, clasping the stem. 
 Flowers, purple, alternate. Flowers in July. 
 
 12. The Potomogaton pauciflorus. Stem, dichotomus, fillL 
 form. Leaves, linear, alternate, sessile. Flowers, three to 
 five, greenish. Very delicate plant. 
 
 13. The Potomogaton pusillus. Stem, filliform, branched. 
 Leaves, linear, subulate, membraneous, very acute, sessile. 
 Few flowered. Shallow ponds. 
 
 14. The Potomogaton pectinatus. Stem, slender, branched, 
 striate. Leaves, numerous, long, very linear. Plant, bushy 
 and very leafy. New England to Wisconsin. 
 
 15. The Potomogaton Piobbinsii. Stem, long, branched. 
 Leaves, lanceolate, linear ; spikes, oblong, small and few 
 flowered ; pedicels shorter than the leaves. New Hampshire 
 west to Ohio. 
 
 Of the Callitriche or Starworts, we have two species suitable 
 to the Aquarium. 
 
 1. The Callitriche verna. Broad Leaved Starwort or Water 
 Star. The name of this plant is derived from the Greek, 
 
TIIE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 127 
 
 signifying “ beautiful hair.” It is a small plant with a filli- 
 form stem, with small lanceolate leaves, spatulate and obvate, 
 forming star like tufts on the surface of the water. Flowers 
 from May to August. 
 
 2. Callitriche linearis , Narrow Leaved Star wort. This 
 plant possesses the general character of the verna, only the 
 leaves are more linear. 
 
 The Threadfoot, Podostemum ceratophyllum , grows in streams 
 on rocks and stones ; very plentiful in New Jersey. Stem 
 filliform, leaves pinnate floating on the surface of the water. 
 Flowers in July. 
 
 The Schollera graminea , Water Star Grass. This is a 
 slender plant, with a stem six or eight inches long, leaves 
 sessile, extremely linear resembling grass. Grows in sluggish 
 streams. Flowers, bright yellow. Spathe one or two 
 flowered. Flowers in July. 
 
 The Isoetas lacustris , Quill wort. This is a crytogammanous 
 plant growing in ponds and sluggish streams. It derives its 
 name from the Greek, meaning “equal year,” because it is 
 alike the whole year. Leaves numerous, radical, tufted, sim- 
 ple, somewhat spreading, containing numerous cells divided 
 by lateral and transverse divisions. 
 
 The Azollci caroliniana. This plant belongs also to the 
 Crytogammia . Grows in ponds and swamps and distributed 
 from New York west to Illinois. Leaves oblong, ovate, 
 fleshy and floating, very small and reddish beneath. 
 
 The Ilottonia wflata , or Water Feather. This is one of the 
 most beautiful plants found in aur ponds, and I find it is 
 extremely local, but where it is found it abounds in consider- 
 able quantities. I have placed these plants in tanks when 
 only an inch in height and in three or four weeks they grew 
 
128 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 fifteen to eighteen inches, the beautiful flowers then expanded, 
 retained their beauty for several weeks, then drooped, the 
 plants then wasted as it were away, sloughing off as they do 
 in their native waters. I have tried this very many times, 
 but have never succeeded in keeping them through the 
 winter. They are well worthy a place in the Aquarium 
 however, as their comparatively short existence is amply made 
 up by their beauty ; they should be immediately taken out 
 at the first sign of decay. This beautiful aquatic has the 
 leaves in whorls on the upper part of the stem only, the 
 lower portion being naked. The leaves are fine like feathers, 
 the flower stalks are arranged umbel like, swollen very much 
 betwixt the joints and hollow within. The foliage is very 
 bright light green. Flowers pinkish white, small but 
 numerous. Flowers in August and September. Its geo- 
 graphical range extends from Massachusetts south to Florida 
 and southwest to Louisiana. 
 
 The next aquatic plants worthy of notice are the Family 
 of Ranunculacce or Crowfoot, of these we have three species 
 suited to the Aquarium ; characterized and distinguished as 
 follows : 
 
 1. The Ranunculus aquatilis , Water Crowfoot. This 
 species has the stem almost entirely submerged, creeping on 
 the soil and sending out numerous filliform, dissected leaves 
 at the joints, the floral stalks projecting from four to six 
 inches above the water’s surface, bearing at their extremities 
 peltated three parted leaves, and conspicuous bright yellow 
 flowers. Flowers in June. Generally distributed through- 
 out the Atlantic States in ponds and deep holes in swamps. 
 
 2. The Ranunculus fluviatilis , River Crowfoot. Stem, slen- 
 der, about a foot high, with filliform leaflets at the joints, and 
 
THE VEGETATION OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 129 
 
 bears its small white flowers on the surface of the water. 
 Grows in running streams. Flowers in July. This is a 
 beautiful species easily distinguished. 
 
 3. The Ranunculus multifidus , Water Buttercups. This 
 species is closely allied to the aquatilis , but is readily distin- 
 guished from the latter, by the fact, that it never bears any 
 leaves on that portion of the floral stalk which projects above 
 the surface of the water. Flowers similar to the aquatilis , 
 large, yellow and bright. 
 
 Of the ten species of Lobelias found in the United States, but 
 one of them is suitable to the Aquarium. The I^obelia clort- 
 manna or Water Lobelia. This curious aquatic is well 
 adapted to the tank, as it is an entirely submerged species, 
 the flowers alone rising above the water. The stem is erect, 
 hollow and long, rising above the water’s surface, and bearing 
 a raceme of three or four remote pedicellate flowers of a pale 
 blue color. Flowers in July. Leaves, radical, erect and 
 recurved at the tip. Grows in ponds, and is distributed from 
 New York south to Georgia. 
 
 Of the Brooklime we have two species : 
 
 1. The Veronica americana , American Brooklime. Stem, 
 glabrous, decumbent at its base, and rooting; fleshy, very 
 smooth, erect above. Leaves ovate, acute, serrate, abrupt at 
 the base. Racemes opposite, loose, longer than the leaves. 
 Pedicels twice as long as the bracts. Flowers, blue or pur- 
 plish blue. Flowers in June and July. This plant is generally 
 distributed in brooks and clear waters throughout the United 
 States and Canada. 
 
 2. The VeroniccC anagallis , Water Speedwell. This plant 
 grows in similar localities to the americana , and bears purple 
 flowers. 
 
130 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF TIIE AQUARIUM. 
 
 The Cardamine hirsuta. Common Water Cress. This is a 
 very ornamental plant for the Aquarium. Stem about a foot 
 high ; obtuse ovate leaves, radical, placed alternate ; flowers 
 small and white, projecting above the waters’ surface. Flow- 
 ers in June. A common species growing in clear running 
 waters and very generally distributed. The verdure of this 
 plant is very bright green. 
 
 Of the Sagittarias or Arrowheads we have three species 
 suitable for large tanks. They have large bulbous roots and 
 require considerable soil. 
 
 1. The Sagittaria saggittifolia. , Common Arrowhead. Stem 
 usually two feet high, projecting out of the water ; leaves 
 long, straight, acute and lanceolate. Flowers, white. Blos- 
 soms in July. Grows in ponds and swamps, and is generally 
 distributed. 
 
 2. The Sagittaria heterophylla. This species is about half 
 the size of the former, and a much more slender plant. 
 Leaves linear, lanceolate and narrow lobed. Flowers, few. 
 Blossoms in July. Found in ponds and ditches, and is gen- 
 erally distributed. 
 
 3. The Sagittaria acutifolia , Acute Arrowhead. This is 
 the smallest of the Genus, seldom exceeding six or eight 
 inches in height, with subulate acute leaves, convex on the 
 back and sheathing at the base, bearing its flowers, which are 
 few, on pedicels. Grows in swamps. Flowers in July. 
 Very common. 
 
 The next to notice are the Pontedeiras, two species of which 
 belong to our flora : 
 
 1. The Pontedeiras cordata. Pickerel Weed. This is a 
 large plant attaining a height of two feet, stem thick, having 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 131 
 
 oblong cordate leaves rising from the base. Flowers, bright 
 blue, sessile, collected into twos and threes on a long dense 
 spike. 
 
 2. The Pontedeira angustifolia. Narrow Leafed Pickerel 
 Weed. This plant resembles considerably the preceding 
 species, differing from it however in having much narrower 
 leaves. Both of these plants are only suitable to very large 
 tanks. 
 
 Of the true Water Lillies we have three species, but all of 
 them are too large for general purposes. 
 
 1. The NympJia odorata. The White Lily. This plant 
 bears the most beautiful flower of any of our aquatics, and is 
 very fragrant. Found in ponds and lakes. Common. 
 Flowers pure white. 
 
 2. The Nuphar advena. Yellow Water Lily. Grows 
 usually in company with the odorata. Flowers bright yellow. 
 
 3. The Nupliar lutea. Small flowered Pond Lily. 
 
 Of the Sparganiums we have five species. The name is 
 derived from the Greek, meaning “ribbon like leaves.” 
 
 1. The Sparganium angustifolium. Having long narrow 
 leaves floating on the surface of the water. Grows in ponds 
 and swamps. 
 
 2. The Sparganium americanum . Similar to the above, and 
 having a simple stem. 
 
 The other three species are the ramosum , simplex and natans , 
 these burr reeds are not of much value to the Aquarist, 
 being too large for ordinary purposes. 
 
 Of the Arams we have two : 
 
 1. The Calla palustris. Water Aram. This singular and 
 beautiful plant found in clear waters, is furnished with foot- 
 stalks rising to the surface of the same, bearing naasses of 
 ^hite flowers. 
 
132 
 
 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 2. The Orontium aquaticum. Golden Club or Floating 
 Aram. This plant is not of much value to the Aquarium, but 
 being a true aquatic, I introduce it here. The scape or stem 
 is long and cylindrical, with large radical, lanceolate, ovate 
 leaves ; flowers, yellow, dense and exuding a disagreeable 
 odor. Flowers early in the season, usually in May. 
 
 The Glyceria fluitans. Floating Fescue. This is also a 
 large plant, with long linear leaves, which rise and float on 
 the surface of the water ; grows in ponds and swamps. 
 
 The Acorns calamus. Calamus or Sweet Flag. A plenti- 
 ful species growing in ponds and swamps. This plant is 
 large, with long linear leaves, lanceolate, and shaped like a 
 sword. Its root is dried and used for medicinal purposes. 
 Can only be used in a very large tank. 
 
 The Najas canadensis. Water Nymph. A very good plant 
 for the Aquarium, having a flexible slender stem, erect, 
 always submerged, with filliform or threadlike leaves. Flow- 
 ers with stamens, with the perianth wanting. Grows in 
 stagnant waters. . 
 
 Of the Charas we have two species : 
 
 1. The Chara flexilis. Flexible Chara. An excellent 
 aerator for the Aquarium, indeed none are better. It is also 
 extremely free of growth and always completely submerged. 
 The stems are jointed and form a net-like appearance. 
 Before the late American Museum building was destroyed by 
 fire, we had a tank completely filled with this plant alone, 
 that presented a beautiful appearance, having been growing 
 therein several years ; the whole interior of the same was a 
 dense mass of fine network, the water always remaining clear 
 and sparkling, sustaining a numerous family of Sticklebacks, 
 Tessellated Darters and Tritons. To those who fancy this 
 plant, it is sufficient to purify the water of their Aquarirpn, 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 133 
 
 and a little placed therein at the proper season soon spreads 
 and increases, filling the whole of the same with its bright 
 green verdure. It is easily thinned out as taste may dictate. 
 
 2. The Chara vulgaris. . Feather Beds. This also is a 
 beautiful plant, of the same general character, as the flexilis, 
 but is more brittle, requiring very careful handling. The 
 stem is slender with whorls of eight filliform leaves, at short 
 distances apart, having the appearance of a tuft of feathers, 
 hence its name. Grows in still ponds, in masses at the bot- 
 tom. The green color of this species is lighter than the flexilis. 
 
 The Higdropeltis purpurea . W ater Shield. A very curious 
 and interesting plant, having long foot stalks bearing fine, 
 flat, elliptical leaves, floating on the surface of the water, and 
 attached to the stem by the centre of the under part of the 
 leaf, thus forming a shield. The leaves are smooth, shining 
 dark green on their upper side, and woolly on the under. 
 Whole plant covered with a gelatinous substance. The 
 flowers are borne on long foot stalks, springing from the side 
 of the leaf stalks. Flowers, purple, and blooms in July. 
 Grows in ponds and lakes, usually with the Nymphas and 
 Nuphars . 
 
 The Isnardia palustria. Water Purslane. Stem, prostrate ; 
 creeping at the bottom of ponds, with opposite leaves, ovate 
 and lanceolate. Bearing single axillary flowers, without 
 corolla. Flowers in June. 
 
 The Hydrodicton urticulatum. This is a beautiful plant, of 
 a bright light green color, resembling delicate lace work ; it 
 is free of growth, but its extremely fragile character renders 
 it easily destroyed by the fish. 
 
 Of the Rushes, we have two, but although truly aquatic 
 
 are not of much value for our purpose. 
 m 
 
134 THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 1. The Juncus effusus. Common Rush. Bears tufts of 
 long awl-shaped leaves, and stems like the spines of a porcu- 
 pine, bearing flowers in loose lateral panicles. This is the 
 plant used in making mats. 
 
 2. The Juncus scirpus. Club Rush. Very common in 
 marshy localities, bearing flowers in little solid, oval spikelets. 
 
 Next are the Lemnas, or Duck Meats. The name Lemna 
 taken from “ lepis ,” a scale, which it resembles in form. Its 
 common name suggested from the fact that wild ducks are 
 particularly fond of it, eating it with avidity. Of these 
 interesting and useful plants for the Aquarium, we have five 
 species suitable to it. The Lemnas are all surface plants, 
 never attached to the soil, always floating, and from their under 
 side send down one or more small, fibrous, thread-like roots, 
 through which they receive nourishment from the water. 
 They are all annuals, but will last in the tank indefinitely, 
 and affords an excellent screen for the water, if your tank is 
 exposed to too much light. The species are all readily dis- 
 tinguished by the following characteristics. 
 
 1. The L^emna minor . Little Lemna. This may be identi- 
 fied by its small, entire, scale-like, light green leaves, sending 
 down but one single fibrous root. Grows in ponds. 
 
 2. The Lemna gibba , distinguished by its pellucid char- 
 acter. Grows in ponds. 
 
 3. The Lemna polyrhiza. Water Flax Seed. Its division 
 of leaves being more firmly united, and sending down from 
 eight to twelve black fibrous roots. This plant is very 
 abundant, growing in ponds, intermixed with the Lemna minor . 
 
 4. The Lemna perpusilla . The Least Lemna. This is a 
 very minute species, its exceeding small size being its chief 
 feature of distinction. 
 
THE VEGETATION OF THE AQUARIUM. 
 
 135 
 
 5. The Lemna trisulca. Ivy Leaved Lemna. This plant 
 is very distinctly characterized. The leaves are of a much 
 darker shade of green than the before mentioned species. Its 
 mode of propogation is peculiar. The leaves are nearly one- 
 half an inch in length, thin and pellucid, divided into three 
 lobes, with a single fibrous root attached. A flattened stem 
 emerges from the point of each lobe, which in a few days 
 expands into another leaf; when this leaf becomes fully devel- 
 oped, other stems emerge from the lobes of the same, that in 
 time form other leaves ; this process continues indefinitely 
 throughout the vernal season, until large masses are formed, all 
 the leaves being united in this manner. If a few leaves only 
 of any of the Lemnas are placed, during the spring or summer, 
 in the Aquarium, they will increase rapidly and soon cover 
 the surface of the w T ater. This plant is usually found in 
 sluggish waters, sometimes in ponds. 
 
 The Riccia natans is another floating plant of a bright green 
 color, common in sluggish streams, growing intermixed with 
 the Lemnas and Ilyclrodicton. Grows prolificly in the tank. 
 
 The Fontanalis gigantea is a handsome plant, growing in 
 clear waters, liberating oxygen freely. Stem profusely 
 branched, especially above, color of the foliage, very dark 
 green. Leaves, oblong, ovate, acute. A very local species. 
 
 The Tetraspora ulvacea. This plant grows in swamps and 
 ponds and bears # an,affinital resemblance to the marine Ulva 
 latissima. 
 
 The Cladophera glomerata. This a fresh water AJgoe, grow- 
 ing on rocks and stones in running brooks. 
 
 The Drapernaldias , Tyndarideas , Conferva ?, Bratches permea 
 and Cladophera are all fresh water Algae, too fine in texture 
 for general purposes. 
 
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED. 
 
 Acutifolia , the leaf acutely pointed. 
 Aculealus , prickly, with spines. 
 Abbreviated , short. 
 
 Anas , the vent. 
 
 Anal fen the lower posterior fin of a fish. 
 Anterior, before. 
 
 Ambiguous , of varied or undecided char- 
 acter. 
 
 Amphibious , living both on land and 
 water. 
 
 Albidus , white. 
 
 Annual , yearly, lasting but a year. 
 Animalcule , microscopic aquatic life. 
 Attenuated , becoming thin and slender. 
 Atronasus , black-nosed. 
 
 Jgwa, water. 
 
 Aquatic , pertaining to water. 
 
 J^acws, a lobster, 
 golden. 
 
 -4**7, the angle beneath a leaf. 
 
 Appendix , furnished with an appendage. 
 Axillary , belonging to or growing on 
 the axil. 
 
 Argenteus , silvery. 
 
 Augustifolia , narrow leaved. 
 
 Auriculata , with ear-shaped appendages. 
 Bi flora , two flowered. 
 
 Bilineata , two striped. 
 
 Bison, a buffalo. 
 
 Botany , the science or study of plants. 
 Bipartita , divided’ into two parts to the 
 base. 
 
 Biaculeatus , two spined. 
 
 Conftnis , border, or edge. 
 
 Carnivorous animal or flesh eaters. 
 Carpel , simple pistil, or a part of a com- 
 pound one. 
 
 Capillary , hair-like. 
 
 Caducous , falling off at the period of 
 expansion. 
 
 Convex , bulging out in a rounded form. 
 Concave , the opposite to convex. 
 Cornutusy horned. 
 
 Cephalus , pertaining to the head. 
 Coleoptera , a class of insects having wing 
 cases. 
 
 Cordata , heart shaped. 
 
 Crenate , having the margin even notched 
 or scolloped. 
 
 Crytogammia , flowerless plants. 
 Clandestina , hidden, concealed. 
 
 Corolla , the inner of the two flower 
 envelopes. 
 
 Calyx , the outer covering of a flower. 
 Dentate , toothed. 
 
 Decumbent , reclined on the ground. 
 Diaphanous, transparent. 
 
 Dorsal , upper part of the back of a fish. 
 Dorsal Line , a line extending along the 
 dorsal. 
 
 Dorsal fin, the fin situated on the dorsal. 
 iHcftofomowsty, forking into two branches. 
 Entomology , the science or study of 
 insects. 
 
 Filliform , thread-like. 
 
 Fibullous, bearing fibre-like hairs. 
 Filamantose , composed of threads or 
 filaments. 
 
 Furcate , forked. 
 
 Fluitans, floating. 
 
 Fluvial , relating to fresh water. 
 Fusilform, spindle shaped. 
 
 Fugacious , falling off, pens ing soon. 
 Gibbous , protuberant swelling. 
 
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS. 
 
 137 
 
 Granulated , roughed in lines. 
 
 Guttatus , sprinkled in drops. 
 
 Glabci •, or glabrous , smooth. 
 
 Glommcrala , growing in a massive form. 
 Graminea , grass-like. 
 
 Gracilis , slender formed. 
 
 Grisea , gray. 
 
 Gregarious , going in numoers together. 
 Hydrophilus , a genus of Coleoptera , the 
 name signifying “ I love the 
 water.” 
 
 Hirsula, hairy. 
 
 Hiterophyllum , having the leaves varied 
 from the usual form. 
 
 Jnvolucrate , having; a set of bracts sur- 
 rounding a flower cluster. 
 Injloresence, flowering part of a plant. 
 Intermedia , between. 
 
 Intrepidus , bold, fearless. 
 
 Ichthyology , the science or study of fishes. 
 Inflata , inflated, swollen. 
 
 Irides , the part of the eye encircling the 
 pupil. 
 
 Issetus , equal year. 
 
 Lamelliform , composed of flat plates. 
 Longicauda , long tailed. 
 
 Lanceolate, lance shaped. 
 
 Lacustris , pertaining to lakes and 
 swamps. 
 
 Lepis, a scale. 
 
 Maxilingua , large tongued. 
 
 Macrocepliala , large headed. 
 
 Maculata , spotted. 
 
 Millepunctatus , many spotted. 
 Multifasciata , many barred. 
 Multilineatus, many lined. 
 
 Multifid , many cleft. 
 
 Natans , floating. 
 
 Nebulosa, clouded. 
 
 Niger , black. 
 
 Nigricans , black. 
 
 Notata. ten spotted. 
 
 Obcordate, inverted, heart-shaped. 
 
 Ovate, egg shaped, with the lower ex- 
 tremity broadest. 
 
 Opercles, gill covers. 
 
 Odorata , a sweet scented plant. 
 
 Obscurus , obscure. 
 
 Occidental is, western. 
 
 Ornata , ornamented: 
 
 Ocellated, with eye-like spots. 
 
 Pallidus, pale. 
 
 Palate, the convex base of the lower lip 
 of the corolla. 
 
 Panicles , in which the flowers are ar- 
 ranged on distinct branching 
 stalks round a lengthened axis. 
 
 Perennial, perpetual. 
 
 Pedicels, the stalk of a particular flower. 
 
 Pedicellate , having & pedicel. 
 
 Peltate, shield-shaped, the stalk being 
 attached to the centre of the leaf. 
 
 Pectoral fins, the fins on the body near 
 the gills. 
 
 Pedunculated , having a flower stalk. 
 
 Pectinated , comb-like. 
 
 Picta, painted. 
 
 Pinnatifed , cleft in many parts, divided 
 almost to the axis into lateral 
 segments. 
 
 Petiole, the foot stalk of a leaf connect- 
 ing the blade with the stem. 
 
 Pupil , the sight of the eye. 
 
 Puncated , spotted. 
 
 Pygmseus , pigmy, little. 
 
 Pellucid, perfectly clear and transparent. 
 
 Pistil, the female sexual organ of all 
 phsenogamous plants. 
 
 Phscnogamous, flowering. 
 
 Prinate, divided into leaflets. 
 
 Perianth, the calyx that envelopes a 
 single flower and is immediately 
 contiguous to it. 
 
 Quadrate, square. 
 
 Quinate, in fives. 
 
 Quadrimaculata,, four spotted. 
 
 Quiescens, rest, repose. 
 
 Radical, proceeding immediately from 
 the root. 
 
 Ramose, bearing branches. 
 
 Ramulose , bearing many branchlets. 
 
 Reniform, kidney shaped. 
 
 Resupinata , inverted in position, by the 
 twisting of the stalk. 
 
 Raceme , an indefinite infloresence with 
 single pedicelled flowers arranged 
 along a lengthened axis. 
 
 Reticulated, netted. 
 
138 
 
 GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS. 
 
 Rosulale, like a rosette. 
 
 Rhizome , root stock or stalk. 
 
 Rostrata , beaked. 
 
 Stamen , the male organ of plants. 
 
 Sextagonal, six sided. 
 
 Setacious, bristle like. 
 
 Sessile , dwarfish, sitting, not stalked. 
 
 Scuta, shield shaped. 
 
 Spadix , a kind of fleshy spike. 
 
 Spiralis , spiral. 
 
 Serrated , notched on the edge. 
 
 Spilcelet, a small spike forming part of a 
 large one. 
 
 Sinciput albida , having the forehead 
 white. 
 
 Subluate , awl-shaped, linear, very narrow, 
 « tapering gradually to a fine point 
 from a broad base. 
 
 Scape, a radical stem bearing the inflor- 
 escence, without leaves. 
 
 Sparyanium, a plant having ribbon-like 
 leaves. 
 
 Subrevolute, rolled slightly backwards. 
 
 Subtrilobate, slightly three lobed. 
 Spalulate, shaped like a druggist’s spat- 
 ula, or like a battledore. 
 
 Stolons, a rooting branch. 
 
 Spaihe, the encircling bract of a spadix. 
 Striated, striped. 
 
 Trilobate, three lobed. 
 
 Tesselated, checkered. 
 
 Translucent, clear and shining. 
 
 Umbel, the pedicels all proceeding from 
 a single point and of equal length. 
 Unicolor, one colored. 
 
 Utricula, a little bottle. 
 
 Versicolor, variegated in color. 
 
 Ventrals, the small fins anterior to the 
 anal fin. 
 
 Veriicills, whorls. 
 
 Verticillate, whorled. 
 
 Vulgaris, common. 
 
 Vivarium, animal life. 
 
 Verticiilatum, from verticillus , a little 
 whorl. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Aphredoderus sayanus, 44 
 
 Abramis versicolor, * G4 
 
 American Yellow Perch, 39 
 
 Arrangement of the Aquarium, 25 
 
 Anguilla tenuerostris, 7S 
 
 Amblyopsis spelius 93 
 
 Arams, 131 
 
 Arrowheads, 130 
 
 Amia occidentalis, 98 
 
 Amia calva, 98 
 
 Apodal fish, 98 
 
 Anguilla rostrata, 98 
 
 Anguilla macrocephala, 98 
 
 Ammocaetus unicolor, , 78 
 
 Ammocsetus bicolor, 98 
 
 Amphibians, 99 
 
 Astacus bartoni, 108 
 
 American Cray Fish, 108 
 
 Anacharis canadensis, 123 
 
 Brook Trout, 34 
 
 Buffalo Bony Pike, 37 
 
 Black Bass, small 43 
 
 Bass, fresh water 45 
 
 Black Eared Sun Fish, 48 
 
 Black Nosed Dace, 5G 
 
 Banded Dace, 59 
 
 Black Headed Dace, 60 
 
 Baione fontanalis, GG 
 
 Boleosoma tessellatum, G7 
 
 Big Killifish, 87 
 
 Barred Killifish, 87 
 
 Bryttus punctatus, 91 
 
 Bryttus reticulatus, 91 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Bryttus unicoloT, '. . 91 
 
 Blind Fish of Kentucky, 93 
 
 Black or Dusky Triton, . ..105 
 
 Bull Frog, 109 
 
 Brooklime, :129 
 
 Burr Reeds, 131 
 
 Bratches permea, 135 
 
 Carp, Golden 31 
 
 Cyprinus auratus, 31 
 
 Champlain Pickering, 38 
 
 Common Sun Fish, 46 
 
 Catastomus pallidus, 70 
 
 Catastomus tuberculatus, 71 
 
 Colored Mud Lamprey, 98 
 
 Chubsucker, brilliant 72 
 
 Chubsucker, elegant 73 
 
 Chubsucker, gibbous 74 
 
 Cat Fish, black 75 
 
 Cat Fish, brown 76 
 
 Cat Fish, Common 77 
 
 Centrarchus aeneus, 45, G7 
 
 Centrarchus’Tasciatus, 90 
 
 Centrarchus obscurus, 90 
 
 Centrarchus pentacanthus, 90 
 
 Centrarchus hexacanthus, 90 
 
 Centrarchus sparvides, 90 
 
 Centrarchus irideus, 90 
 
 Centrarchus gulosus, 90 
 
 Centrarchus virides, 90 
 
 Corvina oscula, 91 
 
 Corvina Richardsonii, 91 
 
 Corvina grisea, 91 
 
 Cat Fish, Blue 92 
 
140 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 *Cat Fish, Yellow 92 
 
 Cat Fish, Channel 92 
 
 Cat Fish, Mud 92 
 
 Cat Fish, Small Black Bull Head 92 
 
 Cat Fish, Young 92 
 
 Cyprinus carpio, 98 
 
 Common Carp, 93 
 
 Chubsucker, Long Finned 94 
 
 Chubsucker, Round Back 94 
 
 Catastomus communis, 94 
 
 Catastomus oneida, 94 
 
 Catastomus aureolus, 94 
 
 Catastomus nigricans, 94 
 
 Catastomus macrolepidotus, 94 
 
 Catastomus longirostris, 94 
 
 Catastomus maculosns, 94 
 
 Catastomus elongatus, 94 
 
 Catastomus vittatus, 94 
 
 Catastomus duquesnii, 94 
 
 Catastomus sucellata, 94 
 
 Catastomus maxilingua, 94 
 
 Corregonus albus, 9T 
 
 Corregonus clupeiformis, 97 
 
 Corregonus otsego, 97 
 
 Corregonus harengus, 97 
 
 Clupnke, 98 
 
 Cyclostomi, 98 
 
 Chrysemys picta, 99 
 
 Ceratophyllum demersum, 120 
 
 Callitriche verna, 126 
 
 Callitriche linearis, 127 
 
 Cardamene hirsuta, 130 
 
 Calamus, 132 
 
 Calla palustris, 131 
 
 Chara flexilis, 1-32 
 
 Chara vulgaris, 133 
 
 Common Rush, 134 
 
 Club Rush, 134 
 
 Conferae, 135 
 
 Cladophera glomerata, 135 
 
 Dace, Pigmy... 54 
 
 Dace, Black Nosed 5G 
 
 Dace, Shining 58 
 
 Dace, Banded 59 
 
 Dace, Black Headed - CO 
 
 Dace, Horned 62 
 
 .Dace, Golden 65 
 
 Drapernaldia, 135 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Esox reticulatus, 35 
 
 Esox fasciatus, 36 
 
 Eel, Common 78 
 
 Eel, Plain Mud Lamprey 78 
 
 Eel, Small Lamprey 79 
 
 Esox estor, 96 
 
 Esox tradecem radiatus, 96 
 
 Esox phaleratus, 96 
 
 Eel, Beaked 98 
 
 Eel, Bull Head 98 
 
 Emys punctata, 102 
 
 Fundulus veridescens, 87 
 
 Fundulus zebra, 87 
 
 Fundulus fasciatus, 87 
 
 Floating Fescue, 132 
 
 Floating aram, 132 
 
 Fontanalis gigantea, 135 
 
 Golden Carp, 31 
 
 Gold Fish, 31 
 
 Gasterosteus biaculeatus, 81 
 
 Gasterosteus neoboracensis, 83 
 
 Gasterosteus occidentalis, ..... 84 
 
 Gasterosteus quadracus, 85 
 
 Gasterosteus concinnus, 91 
 
 Gasterosteus mainensis, 91 
 
 Gasterosteus niger, ... 91 
 
 Glyceria fluitans, 132 
 
 Glossary, 136 
 
 Huron nigricans, 89 
 
 Hydrargira diaphana, 86 
 
 Hydrargira atricada, 96 
 
 Hydrargira ornata, 96 
 
 Hydrargira nigrofasciata, 96 
 
 Hydrargira multifasciata, 96 
 
 Hydropholis triangularis, 113 
 
 Hydropholis glaber, 114 
 
 Hydropholis ovalis, 114 
 
 Hydropholis lateralis, 115 
 
 Hottonia inflata, 127 
 
 Hydrodicton utriculatum, 133 
 
 Hydropeltis purpurea, 133 
 
 Isnardia palustris, 133 
 
 Isoetus lacustris, 127 
 
 Juncus effusus, 134 
 
 Juncus scirpus, 134 
 
 Killifish,' Big 87 
 
 Killifish, Barred 87 
 
 Killifish, Striped 87 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 141 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Lepisosteus Bison, 3T 
 
 Labrax pallidus, 42 
 
 Labrax nig * cans, 43 
 
 Labrax albidus, 89 
 
 Labrax notatus, 89 
 
 Labrax multilineatus, 89 
 
 Leuciscus pygmseus, 54 
 
 Leuciscus atronasus, 56 
 
 Leuciscus nitidus, 58 
 
 Leuciscus vittatus, 59 
 
 Leuciscus atromaculatus, 60 
 
 Leuciscus budsonius, 61 
 
 Leuciscus cornutus, 62 
 
 Leuciscus pulchellus, 95 
 
 Leuciscus argenteus, 95 
 
 Leuciscus corporalis, 95 
 
 Leuciscus elongatus, 95 
 
 Leuciscus dissimilis, 95 
 
 Leuciscus biguttatus, 95 
 
 Leuciscus cephalus, 95 
 
 Lebias ovinus, 68 
 
 Lebias ellipsoides, 95 
 
 Labeo oblongus, 72 
 
 Labeo elegans, T3 
 
 Labeo gibbosus, 74 
 
 Labeo cyprinus, 93 
 
 Labeo esopus, 94 
 
 Leucioperca americana, 89 
 
 Leucioperca grisea, 89 
 
 Leucioperca canadensis, 89 
 
 Lake Sheepshead, 91 
 
 Lepisosteus platyrhincus, 98 
 
 Lepisosteus longirostris, 98 
 
 Lobelia Dortmanna, 129 
 
 Lily, White 131 
 
 Lily, Yellow Water 131 
 
 Lily, Small Flowered Pond, 131 
 
 Lemna minor, 134 
 
 Lemna gibba, 134 
 
 Lemna polyrhiza,. 134 
 
 Lemna perpusilla, 134 
 
 Lemna trisulca, 135 
 
 Minnow, Transparent 85 
 
 Minnow, Champlain 87 
 
 Minnow, Ornamented '96 
 
 Minnow, Black Striped, 96 
 
 Minnow, Many Barred, 96 
 
 Millfoil, Floating 121 
 
 TAGE 
 
 Millfoil, Water 120 
 
 Millfoil, Spiked Water, 121 
 
 Molinesia latipennis, 96 
 
 Mud Fish, Western 98 
 
 Mud Lamprey, Colored 98 
 
 Many Spotted Triton, 103 
 
 Myriophyllum verticillatum, 120 
 
 Myriophyllum spicatum, 121 
 
 Myriophyllum heterophyllum, 121 
 
 Myriophyllum scabatrum, 121 
 
 Myriophyllum ambiguum, 121 
 
 Myriophyllum tenellum, 122 
 
 Nympha odorata, 131 
 
 Nuphar advena, 131 
 
 Nuphar lutea, 131 
 
 Najas canadensis, 132 
 
 Newt, 103 
 
 Orontium aquaticum, 132 
 
 Pickerel, Common 35 
 
 Pickerel, Varied 36 
 
 Pimeoma sub-fasciatum 38 
 
 Pickering, Champlain 38 
 
 Perea flavescens, 39 
 
 Perea granulata, 88 
 
 Perea acuta, 88 
 
 Perea gracilis, 88 
 
 Perea nebulosa, 88 
 
 Perea minima, 88 
 
 Perea serrata-granulata, 41 
 
 Perch, American Yellow 39 
 
 Perch, Rough Yellow 41 
 
 Perch, White 42 
 
 Perch, Spineless 44 
 
 Perch, Rough Headed Yellow, 88 
 
 Perch, Sharp Nosed Yellow, 88 
 
 Perch, Slender Yellow, 88 
 
 Pomotis vulgaris, 46 
 
 Pomotis appendix, 48 
 
 Pomotis secludens, 50 
 
 Pomotis ravaneli, 90 
 
 Pomotis holbrooki, 90 
 
 Pomotis incisor, 90 
 
 Pomotis gibbosus, 90 
 
 Pomotis solis, 90 
 
 Pomotis catesbei, 90 
 
 Pigmy Dace, 54 
 
 Pigmy Trout, 66 
 
 Pimelodus atrarius, 75 
 
142 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Pimelodus pullus, 76 
 
 Pimelodus catus, 77 
 
 Peteromyzon appendix, 79 
 
 Peteromyzon argenteus, 98 
 
 Pickerel Weed, 130 
 
 Pickerel Weed, Narrow Leaved, 131 
 
 Painted Water Turtle, 99 
 
 Pike Perch, Yellow, 89 
 
 Pike Perch, Gray, 89 
 
 Pike Perch, Canada, 89 
 
 Pimelodus nigricans, 92 
 
 Pimelodus coenosus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus albidus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus lemniscatus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus furcatus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus punctulatus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus seneus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus cerulescens, 92 
 
 Pimelodus cupreous, 92 
 
 Pimelodus pallidus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus n bmosus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus zanthocephalus, 92 
 
 Pimelodus flavus, 92 
 
 Planorbis trivolvis, 112 
 
 Planorbis bicarinatus, 112 
 
 Planorbis armigerus, 112 
 
 Physa heterostropha, 113 
 
 Potomogaton compressum, 124 
 
 Potomogaton tuckermani, 125 
 
 Potomogaton natans, 125 
 
 Potomogaton heterophyllus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton diversifolium, 125 
 
 Potomogaton hybridus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton fluitans, 125 
 
 Potomogaton lucens, 125 
 
 Potomogaton obrutus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton prselongus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton perfoliatus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton panciflorus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton pusillus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton pectinatus, 125 
 
 Potomogaton Robbinsii, 125 
 
 Pontedeira cordata, 130 
 
 Pontedeira angustifolia, 131 
 
 Purslane, Water .133 
 
 Pike, The 96 
 
 Pike, Federation 96 
 
 River Crow Foot 128 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Ranunculus aquatilis, 128 
 
 Ranunculus fluviatilis, 128 
 
 Ranunculus multifidus, 129 
 
 Rush, Common 134 
 
 Rush, Club 134 
 
 Riccia natans, 135 
 
 Rana pipiens, 109 
 
 Rana fontanalis, 110 
 
 Salmo fontanalis, 34 
 
 Salmo erythrogaster, 97 
 
 Salmo confinis, 97 
 
 Salmo amethystus, 97 
 
 Salmo salar, 97 
 
 Salmo canadensis, 97 
 
 Shiner, 58 
 
 Spawn Eater, 61 
 
 Stilbe chrysoleucas, 65 
 
 Sheepshead Lebias, 68 
 
 Star Gazer, Little 69 
 
 Sucker, Pale 70 
 
 Sucker, Horned 71 
 
 Sucker, Common 94 
 
 Sucker, Oneida 94 
 
 Sucker, Mullet 94 
 
 Sucker, Black 94 
 
 Sucker, Large Scaled 94 
 
 Sucker, Spotted 94 
 
 Sucker, Long Nosed 94 
 
 Sucker, Missouri 94 
 
 Sucker, Striped 94 
 
 Sucker, White 94 
 
 Sucker, Little 94 
 
 Stickleback, Two Spined 81 
 
 Stickleback, New York 83 
 
 Stickleback, Ten or Many Spined 84 
 
 Stickleback, Four Spined 85 
 
 Spotted Water Turtle 102 
 
 Scienidse, 91 
 
 Salmonidae, 97 
 
 Salamandra rubra, 106 
 
 Salamandra symmetrica, 106 
 
 Salamandra erythronata, 106 
 
 Salamandra picta, 107 
 
 Salamandra subviolacea, .107 
 
 Salamandra cirrigera, 107 
 
 Salamandra sinciput albida, 107 
 
 Salamandra gutta lineata, 107 
 
 Salamandra auriculata, 107 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 143 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Salamandra talpoidea, 107 
 
 Salamandra quadrimaculata,. . ... .107 
 
 Salamandra haldemani, 107 
 
 Salamandra glutinosa, 107 
 
 Salamandra coccinea, 107 
 
 Salamandra bilineata, 107 
 
 Salamandra granulata, 107 
 
 Salamandra longicauda, 107 
 
 Salamandra fasciata, 107 
 
 Salamandra salmonea, 107 
 
 Spring Frog, 110 
 
 Starwort, Broad Leaved 126 
 
 Starwort, Narrow Leaved 127 
 
 Schollera graminea, 12? 
 
 Speedwell, Water 12? 
 
 Sagittaria sagittifolia, 129 
 
 Sagittaria heterophylla, 130 
 
 Sagittaria acutifolia, 130 
 
 Sparganium angustifolium, 131 
 
 Sparganium americanum, 131 
 
 Sweet Flag, 132 
 
 Shield, Water 133 
 
 Tessellated Darter, 67 
 
 Turtle, Painted Water 99 
 
 Turtle, Spotted Water.. 102 
 
 Triton, millepunctatus, 103 
 
 Triton, tigrinus 105 
 
 Triton, niger 105 
 
 Triton, porphyriticus, 107 
 
 Triton, ingens 107 
 
 Triton, Jeffersoni 107 
 
 Tyndarideas, 135 
 
 Threadfoot, 127 
 
 Tetras pora ulvacea, 135 
 
 Triglidse, 91 
 
 Tadpole, 109 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Uranidea quiescens, 69 
 
 Unio complanatus, Ill 
 
 Utricularia inflata, 117 
 
 Utricularia purpurea, 117 
 
 Utricularia intermedia, 118 
 
 Utricularia Robbinsii, 118 
 
 U tricular ia striata, 118 
 
 Utricularia longirostris, 118 
 
 Utricularia biflora, 118 
 
 Utricularia bipartita, 118 
 
 Utricularia clandestina, 118 
 
 Utricularia gibba, 119 
 
 Utricularia minor, 119 
 
 Utricularia vulgaris, 119 
 
 Utricularia resupinata, 119 
 
 Utricularia cornuta, 120 
 
 Utricularia subulata, 119 
 
 Variegated Bream, 64 
 
 V alisneria spiralis, 124 
 
 Veronica americana, 129 
 
 Veronica anagallis, 129 
 
 Water Flaxseed, 134 
 
 Water Purslane, 133 
 
 Water Shield, 133 
 
 Water Aram, 132 
 
 Water Nymph, 132 
 
 Water Lily, 131 
 
 Water Lobelia, 129 
 
 Water Speedwell, 129 
 
 Water Cress,.. 130 
 
 Water Buttercups, 129 
 
 Water Crowfoot, 128 
 
 Water Star Grass, 127 
 
 Water Thyme, 123 
 
 Water Turtle, 99 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1. Rectangular Tank, 19 
 
 2. Gold Fish, 31 
 
 3. Brook Trout, 34 
 
 4. Common Pickerel, 35 
 
 5. Varied Pickerel, 3G 
 
 G. Buffalo Bony Pike, 3T 
 
 T. Champlain Pickering, 3S 
 
 S. American Yellow Perch, 39 
 
 9. Rough Yellow Perch, 41 
 
 10. White Perch, 42 
 
 11. Small Black Bass, 43 
 
 12. Spineless Perch, 44 
 
 13. Fresh Water Bass, 45 
 
 14. Common Sun Fish, 46 
 
 15. Black Eared Sun Fish, 48 
 
 1G. Pomotis secludens, 50 
 
 IT. Pigmy Dace or Rock Fish, 54 
 
 18. Black Nosed Daced or Striped 
 
 Dace, 5G 
 
 19. Shining Dace or Shiner, 58 
 
 20. Banded Dace, 59 
 
 21. Black Headed Dace, GO 
 
 22. Spawn Eater, G1 
 
 23. Horned Dace or Red Fin, G2 
 
 24. Variegated Bream, G4 
 
 25. Golden Dace, G5 
 
 26. Pigmy Trout, GG 
 
 27. Tessellated Darter, G7 
 
 28. Sheepshead Lebias, G8 
 
 29. Little Star Gazer, G9 
 
 30. Pale Sucker, TO 
 
 31 . Horned Sucker, 71 
 
 32 Brilliant Chubsucker, 72 
 
 33. Elegant Chubsucker, 73 
 
 34. Gibbous Chubsucker, 74 
 
 35. Black Cat Fish, 75 
 
 3G. Brown Cat Fish, 7G 
 
 37. Common Cat Fish, 77 
 
 3S. Common Eel, 78 
 
 39. Plain Mud Lamprey Eel, 78 
 
 40. Small Lamprey Eel, 79 
 
 41. Two Spined Stickleback, 81 
 
 42. New York or Three Spined 
 
 Stickleback, 83 
 
 43. Ten o~ Many Spined Stickleback, 84 
 
 44. Four Spined Stickleback, 85 
 
 45. Transparent Minnow, 8G 
 
 46. Painted Water Turtle, 99 
 
 47. Spotted Water Turtle, 102 
 
 4S. Newt or Many Spotted Triton,. .103 
 
 49. Tiger Triton, 105 
 
 50. Black or Dusky Triton, 105 
 
 51. Red Salamander, 106 
 
 52. American Cray Fish, 108 
 
 53. Tadpole of the Common Bull 
 
 Frog, 109 
 
 54. Tadpole of the Spring Frog, 110 
 
 55. Fresh Water Muscle. ( Unco 
 
 complanatus,) Ill 
 
 5G. Planorbis trivolvis, 112 
 
 57. Physa heterostropha, 113 
 
 58. Hydropholis triangularis, 113 
 
 59. Hydropholis ovalis, 114 
 
 60. Hydropholis glaber, 114 
 
 61. Hydropholis lateralis, 115 
 

 
 
 
 
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