Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/323

266 professional aid. My friend, Mr. William Thompson, of Weymouth, proffers his services in this line; and as he is a gentleman of scientific acquirements, as well as great local knowledge in marine zoology, and as he has laid himself out for this object, I am certain no one is better fitted to supply what is most suitable for either public or private Aquaria, on reasonable terms. The preceding pages will be some guarantee for the riches of Weymouth Bay.

Transmission of Specimens.—Both plants and animals should be forwarded to their destination as soon after they are collected as possible; but, if they are detained, they may be kept in pans of sea-water, exposed to the light. The vessels, however, must be protected from heavy rains, as the admixture of a large quantity of fresh water would be fatal to both plants and animals. Should much rain have fallen on a vessel containing specimens, it should be carefully tilted, so as to allow the fresh water, which, from its less specific gravity, will be lying on the surface, to run off without mingling with the other. If this be well done, most of the collection, at least that portion of it which was nearest the bottom, may be preserved.

Living sea-weeds may be transmitted to long distances without water. I used to employ a tin box, enclosed by a basket. At the bottom I placed a layer of refuse weed, the common Fucus serratus, freshly gathered, and quite wet. On this bed, I laid the growing specimens, arranging the pieces of rock so as not to shake about and injure the plants, until the box was nearly full; over all, refuse weed was again