his prey;
He was filled with deep gloom when he thought of their doom,
And he wept all the rest of the day--
The day--
And he wept all the rest of the day.

A FRESH WATER AQUARIUM.

BY A. W. ROBERTS.

Many fresh-water plants have a tendency to grow above the surface. When
this takes place, the leaves become so different in shape that they can
hardly be recognized as belonging to the same plant. Therefore care must
be taken to keep all plants submerged that are intended to supply air
for the fish.

[Illustration: MERMAID-WEED.]

One of the most common plants is the mermaid-weed (_Proserpinaca_). I
have drawn it submerged and out of water, to show the change in the
leaf. It grows along the margins of ponds that partially dry up in
summer.

[Illustration: WATER-THYME.]

Water-thyme (_Anacharis canadensus_) grows in slow-flowing streams. It
requires coaxing to establish it in an aquarium, but when once rooted,
is apt to grow too fast, requiring thinning out. Heap plenty of gravel
on the root ends. Do not tie the bunch with string, as it will cause it
to decay.

[Illustration: NITELLA.]

_Nitella flexis_ is almost a rootless plant, and will grow without any
care. It is found growing in shady parts of cool ponds, streams, and
lakes.

[Illustration: FONTINALIS.]

_Fontinalis antipyretica_ grows in springs and cool, shady ponds. It
resembles a very fine and long moss. In color it is of a beautiful light
green. I have often stored up quantities of this plant during summer (it
becoming perfectly dry), that I might have it for winter use, and when
placed in an aquarium it started out as fresh as ever.

[Illustration: DUCK-WEED.]

Duck-weed, or duck's-meat, is a small floating plant, covering the
surfaces of ponds and lakes in shady places. It is one of the best
surface plants for producing shade, or for cutting off light that enters
from the top of the water. Its thousands of rootlets afford
hiding-places for numerous small aquatic animals, such as the hydra,
crimson water-spider, and the brick-maker.

A small stone should be tied to each bunch of plants, to anchor them
till they take root.

After your aquarium has been in operation a few days, a green coating
will begin to form on the glass. This is a minute plant that is
developed by the action of light. It can be removed by means of a swab.
In all other parts of your aquarium allow it to grow, as it is the
favorite food of