The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-17
The Maritime Exhibition at Hayre.
THE AQUARIUM.

The fresh'water GELS appeared particularly at
home in their compartment in the aquarium,
and were all entirely at rest during the time
stood before their tank. large number had
interviewer themselves, so to speak, amongst the
stems of cluster of aquatic plants, whilst many
others had buried themselves to the neck in the
sand at the bottom of their prison-house, the
narrowed limits of which did not appear in the
least to initiate against their healthy condition.
This Comports exactly with what we know OF
their habits, for there s perhaps no fish so uni
versally found over the world as the eel it is to
be met with in nearly all regions, except those
in which extreme cold prevails, and lnhabits
alike the islands and continents Of Europe, India,
New Zealand, and many other countries too
numerous to mention. Although undoubtedly
fresh-water fish, it is constantly found in salt
water, and doubt If there be any single harbor
in the British islands or on the continent where
fresh-water ees may not be caught by hook and
line by those who understand the right tackle
and bats TO be used.
do not consider they would live in the open
sea if all access to fresh water was denied them,
or access to a harbor in which the saltness of
the water is somewhat tempered by the iniltra
ton of fresh water from the land for on recent
visit to Dielette, in Normandy, | found on the
beach, close to the mouth of the little river,
dozen dead eels washed up by the sea to high
water mark. This little river falling into the
sea from somewhat higher level than the tide,
the eels had no opportunity OF passing through
mixed water; and think it probable they
therefore succumbed to the saltness of the sea,
as their eyes had turned white, just as if lime
acquaintance are occasionally surprised at the
idea of the existence OF eos in harbors, although
it is perfectly well known to those who have
paid some attention to eels and their habits.
Notwithstanding all that has been printed on
the subject OF fish, popular ku0 0wledge regarding
this branch OF natural history is OF very low
grade, the attainmentS Of the majority of the
world reaching no higher than the power to
distinguish between mackerel and sole one
of which beng round, the other fiat fish, it
is OF course impossible to confound them.
The ability, however, to distinguish between
founder and dab, grey mullet and a bass,
or pollack ana coal fish, are reinements to
which comparatively few have yet attained, or
will be likely to attain, until some moderately
prices work with coored illustrations be pro-
duced; for very few will give the prices required
TO make high class works on this subject remu-
Ierative 10 author aud publisher. Amongst the
thousands OF visitors TO this aqudrlum-and
there have been many-it is probable that not
one IN five hundred could give the names of
any half dozen fish selected Unfortunately
formation, where could they obtain it?-
for / saw no official appointed to eX-
plain matters to visitors desirous OF iden
trying the different specimens. This is what l.
have to complain of in the other departments
namely, that no one is to be found actually on
the spot, officially credited TO explain matters,
If you inquire for agents, you find they are
employed by a number of exhibitors, and there
fore cannot devote their time to any one midi
Nidual hrm, or TO any particular department,
each and all of which should be provided with
an OulCHal kGdtdlOSuc III naUu), VINO BlOulQ
make the circuit OF his particular department
at ST ated hours. giving an explanatory lecture,
in fact, as he went from stall to stall.
The amount OF useful information which could
be communicated in this manner would be very
great, and visitors would leave the exhibition
with some idea of what had fallen under their
notice instead of beng conscious of a kind OF
mental chaos, IN winch bronzes, drapery goods,
preserved meats, chain cables, jeWelry, steam
engines, picked maCkerel, sea boots, fishing and
pleasure boats nets, and various appurtenance'
and appliances are iumbed together in laby
rinthiue entanglement Fortunately for myself
my previous experiences enabled me to recognize
the uses of the different objects falling under
my notice; but the visitor is in general baitiec
completely If he desires to obtain any par
ticular information, and has TO give it up II
despair.
AMONGST the varied inhabitants of the aqua
rum tanks found no specimens more interest
ing than the great cuttle fish (Sepia officuais)
several OF which swan about, apparently quite
AT home in their transparent prison. None o
i've CaJllos OF s4alas Gl9 p.ed-aAt pictures u
look upsn when out Of their ele@ent, e.thel