Book Description:
The Aquarium contains only marine animals and plants. , All have been found in the bay of Naples. In the ensuing list only the most remarkable of the animals and plants are mentioned the description given is purposely couched in colloquial language, being designed to convey, if possible, in a few words a sufficient impression of the animal to lead to its identification. The asterisk before a name signifies that the animal does not occur at all seasons of the year. The ascending streams of silvery bubbles in the tanks are the air drawn in by the sea water, which is always being pumped in from dark tanks under the aquarium. Those animals and plants which are found near the upper part of a tank, will be seen double, owing to the reflection against the surface of the water. All the tanks, but especially, perhaps, Nos. 1, 3, 9, and 20, gain enormously by being seen in the sunlight between 12 and 2 oclock. On the walls of most tanks will be seen the white tubes of Ciana compare tank 4, the colonies of Botryllus and other Compound Ascidians, and a little white Sponge p. 55, fig. 159. These grow and breed in the water of the aquarium, attaching themselves to all suitable surfaces. In most tanks are swarms of tiny, reddish brown Opossum shrimps In comparing the Fishes with the figures in the Guide, it must be remembered that in many species the dorsal fin nearest the head is not visible except when erected often for defence notice, as an example. The visitor must not rashly ascribe the power of walking about to Sponges, lunicates, Anemones, etc., which he may find moving among the rocks in various tanks. After seeing tank 23 he will be prepared to trace such vagaies to the little crab which is their cause. Enquiries of any kind may be made of the attendant.............
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