Glimpses of Ocean Life; Or, Rock-Pools and the Lessons they Teach

by John Harper

In another tank I have introduced as a centre object a fine piece of white coral, the higher branches of which rise above the surface of the water. The roughness of the coral seems to be much approved of by many of the animals, who are not slow to avail themselves of the facility thus afforded them of climbing and otherwise exercising their peculiar propensities. When purchasing coral, care must be taken to procure a specimen that has not undergone any cleaning process, for although such may be more pleasing to the eye, it is not so suitable for a 'centre piece' as the cream-coloured, and less expensive coral.

A third aquarium which I possess is fitted up in a somewhat novel style, which offers, for certain purposes, some slight advantages over others that I have seen employed. It can be adopted in almost any kind of tank; but the one under consideration is circular in form, and is, in fact, a bell-shaped inverted fern glass, the knob of which is sunk into a stand of wood supported on three legs.

The plan alluded to, which was suggested to the writer by an ingenious friend,[22] consists of the introduction of a floating centre piece composed of gutta percha, which serves as a resting place for various small animals, such as Actiniæ, Mussels, Barnacles, Serpulæ, and even Pholades and Cockles. At the base of the vessel, which is quite uncovered, rest sundry members of the crustaceous family, whilst fishes of various kinds swim freely about over the entire vessel free from all annoyance.

The question will doubtless be asked, 'How can I procure the centre piece here spoken of?' I answer, Make it yourself; a little skill combined with patience and gutta percha being all that is required. The following directions will serve to aid the young reader who may wish to test his manipulative powers.

Procure a thin piece of gutta percha, and lay it in hot water for a few minutes until it is thoroughly soft and pliable. Then get a globe—an orange will do if nothing better offers—and cover it with the above material. Having done this, throw it into cold water, and when hard, cut the fruit in two, so as to leave the gutta percha cast to the shape of each half.

Next make a circular tray about eight or nine inches in diameter, and turn up its edge about half an inch all round. Then heat the brim of each cup, and fasten them to the centre of the upper and under part of the 'tray.' The structure will then float in water. This, however, is not all that you want, as your centre piece must always be entirely immersed. First bore a few holes in the tray, then fix a pretty shell, with a hole in it, to the base of the lower 'cup,' and also form a loop of gutta percha, from which to suspend, by means of a piece of silk, a fragment of stone or marble of sufficient bulk to balance the centre piece, and sink it an inch or two below the surface of the water. At the centre of the upper cup fasten a small piece of gutta percha tube, at the end of which the valve of a Pecten may be attached as an ornament. The whole structure must be gently warmed and entirely coated with fine sand; then tastefully decorated with shells and fronds of green Ulva, and the crimson Delesseria Sanguinea.

Sometimes I introduce a globe of glass as a buoy, and to its centre attach the tray of gutta percha.

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.