Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/19

viii. to a definite object;—my own Experience in collecting animals and plants, with Instructions founded thereon;—copious Details of the peculiar habits and instincts of such species as I have observed in confinement;—Sketches of scenery, of local customs and manners, and of personal adventure, made during the prosecution of the employment; and, finally, an arranged chapter of Directions for the construction, preparation, stocking, and maintenance of a Marine Aquarium.

The Plates which illustrate this volume are its principal peculiarity. I have endeavoured,—in a manner hitherto,I believe, unattempted,—to represent marine animals, with their beauty of form and brilliance of colour, in their proper haunts, surrounded by sub-marine rocks and elegant sea-weeds, as these appear when transferred to an Aquarium. They have been printed from stone by Messrs. Hanhart, who have not spared all the resources of that beautiful art of which they are the acknowledged masters, in reproducing my original drawings.

The wood-engravings are by Messrs. Whymper, and represent the Coast-scenery in the vicinity of Weymouth.

P. H. G.

London: April, 1854.