The book of aquaria; being a practical guide to the construction, arrangement, and management of fresh-water and marine aquaria, containing full ... weed, fish, molluscs, insects, etc. ... - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt: ...these quarters upon any fine and mild days which may happen during that season. The smaller species of the Gerridce are more gregarious than the larger. Velia currena, a common and very active little water-runner, is exceedingly abundant, and more suitable for the aquarium than any of the Hydrometridce already mentioned. It seems to be a very contented insect, and readily submits to captivity. It is, however, a skilful climber, often astonishing its owner by its adroitness in escaping from an apparently quite secure prison. When it has been a short time in the aquarium, it becomes tame, and eagerly attacks the food which is given to it. Half-a-dozen of these insects will quickly extract all the nutriment they can from the body of a bluebottle. Flies seem to be their most suitable food while in confinement; but if these cannot be procured, they will satisfy tbeir hunger with a piece of raw meat. This lively little insect is sometimes called the Water-Cricket, and may be found upon nearly every pond or stream, and frequently at any season of the year. It is not quite Jin. long, of a dark brown colour, with two orange stripes along the back. It very seldom has wings. In summer-time great numbers of these Velice are found together, and they do not seem to care about choosing the smoothest pieces of water for their meetings. Besides the Hydrometridce just mentioned, there are other interesting members of the family which might be kept in confinement. The two familes belonging to the tribe Hydrocorisce (WaterBugs) found in Britain are the Nepidce and the Notonectidce. The former include the genera Nepa, Ranatra, and Naucoris, and the latter Notonecta and Corixa. All the members of the Nepidce family (Water-scorpions) live for the greater part of their life in the...
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