ABSTRACT
Aquatic animals kept for a period in vessels in which the water is changed from time to time cannot be considered as properly forming an aquarium. The beauty and value of a well-regulated aquarium depend not merely on the opportunities it affords of studying the habits of the animals; the spectacle it presents has a far wider interest, as illustrating and confirming the conclusions of science regarding certain great principles which govern the whole animal and vegetable life of this terraqueous globe. The setting-up of household aquaria became almost the rage of the day, and so many books and magazine articles devoted to the subject appeared during the ten years following the establishment of the Regent’s Park aquarium, that the literature of the subject is quite considerable. Many public aquaria proved commercial failures; but we select for special description two which have been thoroughly efficient, and are remarkable for size, reputation, and successful management.
