In ordinary Aquaria, such as I am now treating of, I shall name first those species of sea-weed recommended by Mr. Gosse and others as most easily cultivated, but I shall also point out many other species, which I feel convinced may be successfully grown under proper management; and they certainly deserve every effort that can be made to establish them in Aquaria, as they are among the most beautiful of their tribe.
If not purchased of dealers, the plants must be very carefully collected by the amateur himself, taking care to detach a portion of the substance to which they are growing, and packing them in damp refuse sea-weed, keeping them out of their native element as short a time as possible.
The plants in most flourishing condition in the marine tanks of the Zoological Gardens, were at first those of the Chlorospermatous order, but others have since succeeded nearly as well. Plants of Ulva and Conferva have done very well, but the most successful growth has been that of a plant of the genus Bryopsis, which, entirely enveloping a large stone in its mossy and almost feather-like foliage, produces a very beautiful appearance. Those unlearned in scientific names will be glad, perhaps, to learn that these beautiful Algæ derive their title from two Greek words, Bryon (βρυον), a moss, and opsis (οψιϛ), a resemblance, from their likeness to some of the most delicate and feather-like mosses of our woods. The delineation of Bryopsis plumosa in [Plate II.], on the extreme left near the lower part of the Plate, will convey some idea of these elegant sea-weeds.
Chondrus crispus is a beautiful plant, and well suited to the Aquarium. It will often be found under ledges of rock, completely concealed by a pendant veil of Fucus, commonly known as the olive-weed; and, on lifting the tangled mass of its rank growth, many beautiful and unexpected plants are frequently found, but none strike the explorer more than the Chondrus. Its nacreous tints, like those of a pearl shell, varying wonderfully according to situation, being very remarkable. It is the Carrageen Moss of the herb market. This plant forms the principal object in the lower part of [Plate IV.], to the right.
Laurencia pinnatifolia is a pretty branching plant, also varying in hue according to the aspect in which it grows. In the shade it is purple, but when receiving the full influence of the sun’s rays, it assumes a light-yellow tone; just as the Lycopodium, known as Fortune’s Moss, is purple when grown in the darkest part of a room, but becomes of an ordinary green tone when placed for some time near the light. The Laurencia is shown at the upper part of [Plate V.], coloured pale-violet.
The splendid plant Rhodymenia palmata, with its finely-coloured, semi-transparent fronds, is also recommended. It is the Dulse, or Dellis, eaten by the inhabitants of our northern coasts as a delicacy. Another species of R. lacinata is represented to the left of [Plate V.], the transparent light-crimson fronds of which are excessively beautiful. Mr. Gosse tells us that the Rhodymenia palmata is not suited to an Aquarium, because it appears to require the motion of the sea, and soon begins to decay in still water. If that be the case, let us provide a remedy, for the plant is one of the most beautiful among all its lovely congeners. When a plant of the gigantic lily of the Amazon river was first introduced, it refused to flower in the tank provided for its northern home, at the Duke of Devonshire’s residence at Chatsworth. But Sir Joseph Paxton, who then directed the floricultural operations of that magnificent abode, was not discouraged; and, seeking to impart to the still water of the tank something of the motion of a deep and majestic river, he contrived that a small but continuous stream should enter at one end of the tank, and, as it entered, turn a small paddle-wheel, the action of which imparted a gentle, undulating motion to the water of the whole tank. The device was triumphant, and the glorious Victoria regia formed and expanded its giant flowers in the house which its curator had constructed for it, the plan of which eventually suggested the creation of the “Crystal Palace.” Let us not despair, therefore, of cultivating successfully the beautiful Rhodymenia palmata in our Aquaria. The construction of a suitable apparatus for imparting motion to the too still waters, will form a pleasant passetemps for some of our fair admirers of the pursuits of the Aquarium; and their success would be a signal triumph. But at present the beautiful red weeds, in general, are difficult of cultivation, and when they begin to exhibit spots of orange—a vegetable plague-spot not to be mistaken—it is a symptom of decay which should at once cause their removal from the Aquarium, before their decomposition leads to further mischief.
The common Coralline, Corallina officinalis, of which a small spray is represented in the extreme lower part of [Plate V.], near the centre, is the “arboret of jointed stone” alluded to by the poet, and is well suited to Aquaria, thriving with little trouble. The smaller and slenderer kind is also suitable; but care must be taken, in collecting, not to choose the detached white fragments, which are washed up with every tide, for they are only the skeletons of the plant. It is the rosy-tinted specimens, verging to violet and purple, and still attached to pieces of rock, that are alone fit to remove to the Aquarium.
Plate I.
1. Delesseria sanguinea.