Glimpses of Ocean Life 39

Glimpses of Ocean Life 39

A useful centre piece, a specimen of which I have had in use for

several months, may be formed thus. Make a tripod of gutta percha, on

the top of which attach the valve of a Pecten. From the centre of this

object fix a branch of coral by aid of gutta percha, in such a way that

it rises above the water in the tank. From under the shell pieces of

coral may be made to branch out in various directions. The stand should

be coated either with crushed shells or sand, to give it an ornamental

appearance.

 

It is often a source of annoyance to find the base of the aquarium so

thickly covered with dirt, &c. To get rid of this great 'eye sore,'

without emptying and re-arranging the tank, I call in the aid of a very

simple and effective instrument. By its application all objectionable

matter may be gradually removed without in the slightest degree

disturbing the water, or materially displacing the objects situated at

the base of the vessel.

 

The instrument mentioned is composed of a gutta percha globe, made in

the manner previously described, into one end of which is inserted

a tube of gutta percha or glass about four inches long, and at the

opposite end of the ball is introduced a second tube about eight inches

in length.

 

To use this instrument, close the orifice of the longest tube, and

plunge it into the water over any spot where the debris is collected,

then by removing your finger from the end of the tube, _the impurity

will be instantly sucked up into the ball_. By again placing the finger

in its former position, the siphon may be lifted out of the tank, and

its contents allowed to run off into a jug or basin placed near for the

purpose.

 

This operation must be repeated until the whole of the offending

particles are removed. Of course, more water will be drawn off than is

necessary, but it can easily be poured back into the tank as soon as

the sediment has been fully precipitated.

 

Aquaria are generally much more difficult to keep in order in summer

than in winter, owing to the rapid and profuse growth of minute

vegetation which renders the water opaque and exceedingly unpleasant to

the eye.

 

This ugly opacity I at one time attributed to decaying animal matter,

for I could scarcely believe that the mere increase of the algæ spores

could produce such a vile effect. Experience, however, has proved that

the latter was in reality the true cause. I tried often by syringing

the water, or drawing it off by means of the siphon, or stirring it

about in all manner of ways, to remove the objectionable muddiness,

but always without success. Limpets and Periwinkles seemed quite

useless. Nor did shutting out the rays of light for a few days have any

perceptible effect in subduing the growth of the algæ which collected

with wondrous rapidity, and arrayed each stone, shell, pebble, and even

the poor crabs, in a greenish garb.

 

I was therefore under the necessity, on several occasions, of renewing

the water, and considering that my residence was several miles from the

sea-coast, this task was by no means a pleasant one. What made matters

still more provoking, was the fact that the rejected fluid seemed

perfectly free from all offensive smell. I now adopt the following

novel method for removing the opacity of the water, without the latter

being changed, and also for preventing the too abundant growth of the

algæ at all seasons.

 

The plan in question (which requires, as already shown, to be carried

out with extreme caution by the inexperienced aquarianist) is merely to

dilute a small quantity of _alum_ in a wine-glass full of water, and

then mix it with the water contained in the aquarium. A pellet of alum

about the size of a pea is sufficient for the purpose, if the tank be

of moderate size. And if inserted on the first appearance of dimness

in the water, much future trouble will be saved.

 

Supposing the water to have become opaque, proceed thus--Draw off a

portion into a large jug, and mix with it the diluted acid as before

stated, then let the jug remain undisturbed for about twelve hours. The

vegetation having been deposited in flakes at the base of the vessel,

the water should then be gently strained off through a piece of fine

muslin into a second receptacle, which, in its turn, should be allowed

to stand for some time, and the contents again strained as before. This

process it is advisable to repeat several times, until the whole of the

fluid in the tank has been thoroughly cleansed from impurity.

 

Should the water be returned too early, an unpleasant fur coating will

appear over the entire base of the tank. This can be easily removed by

means of the siphon. Let one end of this instrument, when in action,

be passed gradually over the lower portion of the vase, and in the

course of a few minutes every sign of 'fur' will be obliterated with

the loss of but a small portion of water. When once the fluid has been

clarified in the manner here mentioned, there is little fear of the

young aquarianist being again troubled in like manner for many months,

the acid apparently preventing the algæ from being reproduced to any

such excess as hitherto.

 

 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF SCIENTIFIC TERMS.

 

 

Extracted principally from Professor Owen's learned work entitled,

"Lectures on the Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of the Invertebrate

Animals."

 

=Ambulacra= (L. _ambulacrum_, an avenue, or place for walking).

The perforated series of plates in the shell of the Sea-star, or

Sea-urchin, through which the sucking-feet are protruded.

 

=Acalepha= (Gr. _akalephe_, a nettle). The class of radiated animals

with soft skins which have the power of stinging like a nettle.

Commonly called Sea-nettles or Jelly-fish.

 

=Actinæ= (Gr. _aktin_, a ray). The genus of Polypes which have many

arms radiating from around the mouth.

 

=Alternate generation.= That modification of generation in which

the young do not resemble the parent, but the grandparent; so that

the successive series of individuals seem to represent two species,

alternately reproduced, in which also parthenogenesis alternates with

the ordinary engendering by impregnation.

 

=Algæ= (sea-weeds). A large class of cryptogamic plants inhabiting salt

and fresh water.

 

=Anomoura= (Gr. _anomos_, irregular, and _oura_, a tail). A section

of crustaceous animals distinguished like the Hermit crabs, by the

irregular form of the tails.

 

=Annelid.= The Anglicised singular of _annelleta_.

 

=Adductor muscles=, are those which hold together the shell of a

bivalve, such as the Oyster, Mussel, &c.

 

=Animalcules.= Those extremely small animals which are invisible to the

naked eye.

 

=Antenna= (from the Latin for yard-arm). Applied to the jointed feelers

or horns upon the head of insects and crustacea.

 

 

=Balanoids= (Gr. _balanos_, an acorn). A family of Sessile cirripeds,

the shells of which are commonly called Acorn-shells.

 

=Bivalve.= When a shell consists of two parts, closing like a double

door. The mollusca so protected are commonly called bivalves, as the

Mussel.

 

=Brachyura= (Gr. _brachus_, short; _oura_, tail). The tribe of

crustacea with short tails, as the Crabs.

 

=Branchiæ= The gills or respiratory organs which extract the oxygen

from air contained in water, as in fishes and other aquatic animals.

 

=Buccal= (L. _bucca_, mouth). Belonging to the mouth.

 

=Byssus= (Gr. _byssos_, fine flax). A term applied to the silken

filaments or 'beard' of the Mussel and Pinna.

 

=Carapace.= The upper shell of the Crab, &c.

 

=Calcareous.= Composed more or less of lime.

 

=Carnivorous= (L. _caro_, flesh; _voro_, I devour). The animals which

feed on flesh.

 

=Caudal= (L. _cauda_, the tail). Belonging to the tail.

 

=Cephalópoda= (Gr. _kephale_, a head; _pous_, a foot). The class of

Molluscous animals in which long prehensile processes, or feet, project

from the head, as in the Cuttle-fish.

 

=Ciliogrades= (L. _cilium_, an eyelash; _gradior_, I walk). The order

of the _acalephæ_ (as the Beröe) which swims by action of cilia.

 

=Cilia= (L. _cilium_, an eyelash). The microscopic hair-like bodies

which cause, by their vibratile action, currents in the contiguous

fluid, or a motion of the body to which they are attached.

 

=Cirri= (L. _cirrus_, a curl). The curled filamentary appendages, as at

the feet of the Barnacles.

 

=Cirripedes=, or =Cirripedia= (L. _cirrus_, a curl; _pes_, a foot).

A class of articulate animals having curled, jointed feet; sometimes

written Cirrhipedia and Cirrhopoda.

 

=Conchifera= (L. _concha_, a shell; _fero_, I bear). Shell-fish;

usually restricted to those with bivalve shells.

 

=Comminuted.= Broken or ground down into small pieces.

 

=Conchology.= The department of science which treats of shells.

 

=Convoluted= (L. _convolutus_). Rolled together.

 

=Cornea= (L. _corneus_, horny). The transparent horny membrane in front

of the eye.

 

=Crinoid= (Gr. _krinon_, a lily; _eidos_, a discourse). A family of

Star-fishes which bear some resemblance to the form of a lily. The

fossils called Stone-lilies, or Encrinites, are examples.

 

=Crustacea= (L. _crusta_, a crust). The class of articulate animals

(which includes the Crab, Lobster, &c.) with a hard skin or crust,

which they cast periodically.

 

 

=Decapoda= (Gr. _deca_, ten; _pous_, a foot). The crustaceous and

molluscous animals, which have ten feet, such as the Crab, Cray-fish,&c.

 

=Digitate= (L. _digitus_, a finger). When a part supports processes like fingers.